Playoff Implications on the Line as Soul Host Predators on ESPN2
July 7, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL) News Release
PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Soul (7-8) host the Orlando Predators (8-6) at 8:00 p.m. ET tonight on ESPN2 in a "NET10 Wireless AFL on ESPN" matchup with critical playoff implications. A Soul victory would put Philadelphia within a half-game of the Tampa Bay Storm for the final wildcard spot in the conference, while a Predators victory would inch Orlando one game closer to its first South Division title since 2006. Ari Wolfe, Anthony Herron and Arena Football Hall of Famer Sherdrick Bonner will be on the call from the Wells Fargo Center.
This is the second meeting between the two clubs this season. Philadelphia won the Week 5 contest, 69-56, in Orlando. The Soul enter tonight's game on the heels of an 84-48 victory over the Iowa Barnstormers in Week 16. Meanwhile, Orlando has been out of action since June 21 when they lost a nail-biter to their vaunted "War on I-4" rivals, the Tampa Bay Storm, 34-35.
Leading the charge for the Soul will be veteran quarterback Dan Raudabaugh, who finished Week 16 with 25 completions on 32 attempts for 247 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions. Philadelphia's career passing leader has completed an AFL-high 68 percent of his passes this season. Helping pad his stats since 2011 has been receiver Anthony Jones, who leads the Soul with 1,358 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns this year. Jones extended his streak of consecutive games with a touchdown reception to 17 after hauling in two more in last week's win. Markee White also recorded a touchdown in Week 16. The Offensive Player of the Game in ArenaBowl XXIII has seen action in three games with the Soul since coming over in a trade from the LA KISS midway through the year. Philadelphia will also have the benefit of the AFL's all-time leading rusher, Derrick Ross, who is in the midst of his fourth consecutive season with at least 30 rushing touchdowns.
Predators quarterback Bernard Morris is no stranger to big games in Philadelphia. Morris faced the Soul in the American Conference Championship Game in 2012 and 2013 as the quarterback for the Jacksonville Sharks, passing for 380 yards and eight touchdowns against Philadelphia in last year's contest. At his disposal with the Predators this season is one of the top young receiving corps in the game today. NET10 Wireless Rookie of the Year candidate Greg Carr leads the bunch with 96 catches for 1,279 yards and 30 touchdowns on the year, while Khalil Paden has also turned in a 1,000-yard performance as a rookie, totaling 62 receptions for 1,014 yards and 18 scores. The Orlando passing attack also features longtime Soul wideout Larry Brackins, who was traded to the Predators earlier this season and figures to make an impact in his return to Philly.
Jack linebacker Tanner Varner paces the Orlando defense. The former Soul defensive back has logged 58 tackles and four interceptions in 14 games this season. Defensive backs Tracy Belton and Anthony Shutt will also be players Raudabaugh and company will need to be cognizant of. For Philadelphia, rookie defensive end Ted Jennings has become the team's top pass rusher this season, collecting nine sacks on the year, including a single-game franchise record 3.5 against the Barnstormers last week. The Soul also have an embarrassment of riches in the secondary. Former Predators defensive back Rayshaun Kizer leads the squad with 78.5 tackles and seven interceptions this season, while James Romain is enjoying a breakout year, tallying 67.5 tackles, five picks and five touchdowns, including a pair of defensive scores last week. The team also received a boost with the return of former AFL Defensive Back of the Year, Kent Richardson, who recorded 1.5 tackles and an interception last week in his first game back with the team since ArenaBowl XXV in 2012.
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