Shock Jump out Early, Defeat Soul, 65-47
Published on May 19, 2012 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
SPOKANE, WA (May 18, 2012) - The Philadelphia Soul (7-3) found themselves down 21-0 to start the game and were unable to climb out of that hole as they fell to the Spokane Shock (5-4), 65-47, in front of 9,246 fans at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena on Friday night.
"You can't put yourself in that type of hole to start a game and expect positive results," said Soul head coach Doug Plank. "Turnovers, penalties and poor execution are obstacles that add up to defeat in any place - let alone a venue like Spokane. We will regroup and make the adjustments needed for next week. We can't roll into a divisional game with Cleveland and perform like that."
Philadelphia's QB Dan Raudabaugh finished by connecting on 30-of-40 passes for 360 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions in defeat. Leading the receivers were Tiger Jones, who had 12 receptions for 164 yards and four touchdowns, while Emery Sammons had 10 receptions for 120 receiving yards and one touchdown. Jeff Hughley added five receptions for 64 yards and one touchdown.
Leading the way defensively were Bryan Robinson with 6.0 total tackles and a sack. Rayshaun Kizer added 5.0 total tackles, while Keon Perry had 4.0 total tackles and an interception.
The Shock used a Kyle Rowley to Adron Tennell 13-yard touchdown strike to open the scoring in the first quarter and took a 7-0 lead. Spokane's defense then forced two interceptions on the Soul's first two possessions and capitalized with two more Tennell touchdowns to take a 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Philadelphia's offense finally got on the board when Raudabaugh hit Jones on a 9-yard scoring strike to cut the lead to 21-7. The Shock answered with a Brandon Thompkins 2-yard touchdown run to improve the lead to 28-7, but Philadelphia's Derrick Ross added an impressive 18-yard touchdown run to make the score 28-14.
Spokane added another Tennell touchdown catch and a Kenny Spencer 32-yard field goal to close out the first-half scoring and gave the Shock a 37-14 halftime lead.
Raudabaugh started the second half with an interception by Terrence Sanders that he returned for a 42-yard touchdown and pushed the Shock lead to 44-14 with 12:01 remaining in the third quarter. Philadelphia would answer with an 8-yard Jones touchdown to make it, 44-21. The Soul would then go onto outscore the Shock 21-14 in the third quarter.
Philadelphia kept momentum going when they recovered two on-side kicks and score 21 unanswered points - Jones for two touchdowns and Sammons with one - to climb back into the game and narrow the score to 51-41 early in the fourth quarter. Spokane was able to hold serve and outscore Philadelphia 14-12 in the final quarter and came away with the 65-47 victory.
The Soul will continue their road trip next Sunday when they travel to face the Eastern-Division rival Cleveland Gladiators at 4 p.m. at the Quicken Loans Arena. The game will be heard on Ustream (http://www.ustream.tv/philadelphiasoul) with Matt Martucci and Tom Goodhines calling the action.
Arena Football League Stories from May 19, 2012
- Rattlers Defeat Blaze Despite Explosive Offensive Output - Utah Blaze
- Power Outage - Command Get First Win of Season - Kansas City Command
- Sharks Roll over Barnstormers, 55-19 - Jacksonville Sharks
- Barnstormers Shark-Bitten Once Again in Jacksonville - Iowa Barnstormers
- SaberCats Fall in San Antonio to Talons 72-47 - San Jose SaberCats
- Sharks Roll over Barnstormers, 55-19 - Jacksonville Sharks
- Road Woes Continue, Storm Fall 53-34 - Tampa Bay Storm
- Gladiators Hold off Storm for 53-34 Win - Cleveland Gladiators
- Tonight's Game - What You Need to Know - Jacksonville Sharks
- Shock Jump out Early, Defeat Soul, 65-47 - Philadelphia Soul
- Spokane Shocks Soul in 65-47 Victory - Spokane Shock
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.
