Preparing for Cleveland
Published on July 8, 2008 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
GLADIATORS DEFEAT FORCE, EARNS DATE FOR CONFERENCE TITLE
The Cleveland Gladiators earned a trip to the National Conference Championship Game last night with a 73-70 win at Georgia. Quarterback Raymond Philyaw threw eight touchdown passes for the second consecutive week in leading Cleveland to victory. The fourth-seeded Gladiators (11-7) will now travel to Philadelphia to play for the National Conference's ArenaBowl XXII spot against the top-seeded Soul (14-3) on Saturday, July 12 at 1pm (ET) at the Wachovia Center. Philadelphia and Cleveland split the regular season series this year; both teams winning at home. Cleveland handed the Soul their first loss of the season, 67-55, in week 10. Philadelphia responded with a last-second 62-61 win in week 16 as Eddie Moten intercepted a two-point conversion attempt to seal the victory.
TWO MOST DYNAMIC PLAYERS IN AFL TO MEET SATURDAY
The AFL's two leading scorers in 2008 will both be playing at the Wachovia Center during Saturday's National Conference Championship Game when the Philadelphia Soul take on the Cleveland Gladiators. Cleveland's Otis Amey led the league in scoring with 50 touchdowns and 302 points. Philadelphia's Chris Jackson finished a close second with 49 touchdowns and 294 points. Amey and Jackson established themselves as the premier scorers in the AFL; as evidence, the third leading scorer in the league was Grand Rapids' Kenny Higgins with 41 touchdowns and 246 points. Jackson and Amey have stepped up their game during their regular season meetings too. Jackson scored three touchdowns in each game this season against Cleveland. Not to be outdone, Amey scored four touchdowns in each game this season against Philadelphia.
WANT TO BE A PART OF SOUL HISTORY?
History is going to be made in Philadelphia on July 12th, 2008. The Philadelphia Soul host the Cleveland Gladiators in the Soul's first trip to the Arena Football League's National Conference Game on their drive to ArenaBowl XXII. To kick off the celebration, the Soul's season ticket holders, fans, Soulman, staff and players venture from the Coliseum in Voorhees, NJ to the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia to deliver the game ball in preparation for Saturday's big game. Different fans will be lined along the way and the game ball will be handed off fan to fan for the duration of the 18 mile trip with Saturn cars and motorcycles helping with stretches of the trip. If you are interested in being one of the fans to deliver the ball for part of its journey email info@philadelphiasoul.com.
PEP RALLY AT TOTARO'S WEDNESDAY
Coming off their Divisional Round playoff win that featured a spectacular ending, the Philadelphia Soul are set to have a local street named after them. Conshohocken, a borough located in southern Pennsylvania about 15 miles from Philadelphia will be re-naming one of its streets this coming Wednesday, July 9 during the Soul's National Conference Championship Game Pep Rally in the parking lot at Totaro's Restaurant. The pep-rally, which will feature Soul players and coaches, Soulmates and the mascot Soulman, will begin at 6 p.m. with the official unveiling of the street re-naming starting at 7:15 p.m. Conshohocken Mayor Joseph Collins will also be on hand to declare the street re-naming as the Soul Drive towards ArenaBowl XXII presented by Virgin Mobile continues.
WHAT'S UP TODAY The players practiced today for the first time since their dramatic Divisional Round victory over the New York Dragons. Later in the day Coach Munsey announced to a group of media personnel that QB Matt D'Orazio will stay as the starter for the National Conference Championship Game.
HE SAID IT Matt D'Orazio on last weekend's close game: "The good news is that we won and we have a team here with a lot of character and guys that fight to the end. At this point in the season it's not about how it looks it's about who plays the next game and we're thankful and feel very blessed that we get a chance to play next week."
AROUND THE LEAGUE
The following AFL awards are scheduled to be announced later this week: Coach of the Year will be announced today, ADT Defensive Player of the Year on Wednesday, and Offensive Player of the Year on Thursday...
SOUL PATCH UPDATE
Soul fans continue to send in their Soul Patches from across the country. Today's Soul Patch of the Day belongs to singer Billy Ray Cyrus. The country music star is famously known for his one hit wonder "Achey Breaky Heart." These days Syrus sports a Soul Patch and co-stars along side his daughter on the Disney TV show Hannah Montana. To see your Soul Patch featured on www.philadelphiasoul.com send your Soul Patch photo to soulpr@philadelphiasoul.com.
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP, ARENABOWL XXII TICKETS AVAILABLE
Fans can purchase tickets for this Saturday's Conference Championship game to cheer on the Soul as they continue their push towards the ArenaBowl. For more information on playoff tickets call 888-PHIL-AFL or email tix@philadelphiasoul.com. If the Soul win the Conference Championship game they will advance to Virgin Mobile ArenaBowl XXII which will be played at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, LA on July 27 at 3pm (ET). For information on ArenaBowl XXII tickets go to ticketmaster.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from July 8, 2008
- OurSports Central announces AFL Players of the Week - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- League Concludes Review of Dragons-Soul Final Play - AFL I
- League Concludes Review Of Dragons-Soul Final Play - AFL I
- Cleveland's Mike Wilpolt Named AFL Coach of the Year - AFL I
- Grand Rapids' Macpherson, San Jose's Floyd and Cleveland's Rue Earn Divisional Round Honors - AFL I
- Gladiators Head Coach Mike Wilpolt named 2008 AFL Coach of the Year - Cleveland Gladiators
- MacPherson Offensive Player of the Week after Playoff Win - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Preparing for Cleveland - Philadelphia Soul
- Conference Championship Games Set - AFL I
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
