Power Falls Short in Opener Verses Soul
March 12, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Pittsburgh Power News Release
PITTSBURGH ¬" The Pittsburgh Power arena football team faced off against the Philadelphia Soul in their inaugural game of the 2011 season. With a ground breaking 13,904 attendances electrifying the CONSOL Energy Center. The nail biting game that left fans on the tip of their seats all the way until the Overtime. With a lot on coach Siegfried ¬â¢s plate would the Power would have to prove a lot to this tough town, and the consensus around the arena would say they did.
Bernard Morris led his team to a successful start with 264 passing yards and 5 touchdowns. Bernard ¬â¢s only flaw being his 3 interceptions.
SCORING
Bernard Morris started off the scoring drive with a 37-yard beam touchdown pass to wide receiver Jason Willis. The extra point kick by Paul Edinger was good giving the Power a 7-0 lead at home with 13:47 left in the first quarter.
The Philadelphia Soul responded at 10:02 in the first quarter with a 46-yard touchdown pass to Donavan Morgan from Justin Allgood knotting up the score.
With the score now tied at 7, the Power marched down the field and scored another touchdown pass for 21 yards, caught by Mike Washington.
After a turnover on downs by the Soul, the next scoring drive came from the Power with a one-play drive, a 14-yard touchdown pass from Morris to receiver Lonnell Dewalt.
The scoring in the first quarter ended with the Power leading the Soul 21-7.
In the second quarter, the scoring was initiated by the Soul with a 5-yard pass from Allgood to Donavan Morgan. The drive took 9 plays, lasted 5 minutes and 33 seconds to go 45 yards for the score. The Power then attacked back and scored with 8:46 left in the second quarter with a 2 yard touchdown run by Joshua Rue, but the kick by Edinger failed to add an extra point.
Soul player Donavan Morgan then responded to the Power touchdown and had a 2-yard scoring run he after a 5-play 39-yard drive.
The Soul where quick to strike as the successfully kicked a 18 yard field goal t make it a game 24-27.
The Soul again fighting there way back into the game, Ryan Vena plows into the end zone for a 1-yard TD. (Paul missed the FG.
With The Soul going scoring crazing, Allgood throws a 20-yard bomb down the field to add to the lead to connecting with Morgan. Leading the bout 37-27.
The Power would not lay down to the Soul trying to make it a game for the home crowed, driving down the field win to plays in to what would be a 5 yard TD pass From Morris to Dewalt. The kick was good making it a close 37-34 Soul.
Going into the 4th the Soul was quick to strike and again with Donovan making the game 44-34.
A man playing on fire Rue was handed the ball as the Power have been able to rely on all game punching in a 1 yard TD making it a 44-41 game.
The Soul not comfortable with there lead strikes again to who other than Donovan for a 17yrd connection making it 50-41 with the failed field goal.
Power comes back with a TD pass of their own to Jason Willis with a 2-point conversion 50-49.
With 12 seconds left in the game Philly records a team safety. Making it 52-49.
With all hope lost the Power fight threw and makes a beautiful 35 yd Field goal send them in to overtime.
With Mike Browns 15 yd INT for a TD the Soul would come out on top of this one. Making it an over time loss for the power. Final game score. 58-52 Soul.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: Donovan Morgan Ridell Defensive Player of the Game: Tanner Varner
JLS Ironman: Joshua Rue
Nifty TV Playmaker of the Game: Donovan Morgan
Cutter ¬â¢s Catch of the Game: Tanner Varner Spaulding Highlight of the Game: Mike Brown
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Arena Football League Stories from March 12, 2011
- Command Nearly Pull off Dramatic Comeback in Franchise's First Game - Kansas City Command
- Power Falls Short in Opener Verses Soul - Pittsburgh Power
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