Pittsburgh Power vs. Philadelphia Soul Preview
July 24, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Pittsburgh Power News Release
PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Power (14-3) will round out their 2014 regular season at CONSOL Energy Center on Saturday, July 26 welcoming their in-state rivals, the Philadelphia Soul (9-8) to the Steel City. The action is set to begin at 5:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast locally on ThisTV Pittsburgh as well as ESPN3 and TribLIVE Radio with Ken Laird and Dan Dudley on the call.
THE GAME:
Pittsburgh Power (14-3) vs Philadelphia (9-8)
Saturday, July 26, 2014-5:00 p.m. ET
CONSOL Energy Center - Pittsburgh, PA
TV: ThisTV Pittsburgh, ESPN3
Radio: TribLIVE Radio
All-Time Series: Series tied 4-4
LAST WEEK:
The Pittsburgh Power left Des Moines as the 2014 Bacon Bowl Champions defeating the Iowa Barnstormers in thrilling fashion, 59-56. Kicker Julian Rauch won his third game off his magical foot with a 22-yard field goal as time expired to give the Power their 11th-straight win. Power QB Tommy Grady became the tenth quarterback in Arena Football history to eclipse the 500 passing touchdown mark in a career.
Philadelphia kept their playoff chances alive in Week 19 by defeating the Pacific Division Champion San Jose SaberCats at home, 42-20. The AFL's all-time leader in rushing touchdowns, Derrick Ross, put on a show with 109 all-purpose yards and four total touchdowns.
While the Power are locked into the No. 3 seed in the upcoming playoffs, the Soul control their own destiny looking to claim the final Wild Card spot in the American Conference. If Philadelphia wins or the Tampa Bay Storm lose to Cleveland, the Soul clinch the No. 4 seed and will travel to Cleveland for the opening round next Saturday, August 2.
POWER OFFENSE TO WATCH:
Pittsburgh WR Hank Edwards is coming off of his best performances of the 2014 season. Since being acquired in a trade from Spokane earlier this season, Edwards has caught a touchdown in all but one of his ten appearances with the Power. Against Iowa, Edwards caught 12 passes for 150 yards and four touchdowns. Edwards 19 touchdown receptions are the second most on the Power in 2014.
SOUL OFFENSE TO WATCH:
In the Power and Soul's Week 14 meeting, Soul WR Emery Sammons tied Philadelphia's franchise record with 14 receptions, finishing the game with 144 yards and three touchdowns. On the season, Sammons has 48 catches for 563 yards and eight scores. With Ryan McDaniel injured, Sammons will continue to make a big impact for the Soul offense.
POWER DEFENSE TO WATCH:
A few Power defenders have an opportunity to set single-season records during Saturday's contest. DB Virgil Gray, who took his ninth interception of the season 48-yards home for a score, needs one more pick to break the franchise record. Sergio Gilliam has 11 interceptions in two seasons with the Power and his next will give him the career record with the team. Lastly, Al Phillips, who has only played in 15 games, needs five tackles to break Gilliam's 2013 record of 90 tackles in a single season.
SOUL DEFENSE TO WATCH:
The Soul's defense is strong both up front and in their secondary. Leading the charge on the defensive line is Teddy Jennings who ranks in the Top 10 in the AFL with 11 sacks in 2014. When the Soul get good pressure on the quarterback, their defensive backs, especially Rayshaun Kizer, are able to make plays. Kizer is coming off of a two-interception performance against San Jose. In 2014, he leads Philadelphia with 98 tackles, nine interceptions and 34 pass break-ups.
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