Soul Dominate Storm, 62-41
June 17, 2017 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA- The Philadelphia Soul (9-0) defeated the Tampa Bay Storm (7-2), with the final score 62-41 in front of 9,081 fans at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday night.
"Going into this game, we knew Tampa Bay was going to be a tough opponent," said Soul head coach Clint Dolezel. "I'm very proud of how the guys played. They held their own and kept the lead. It's a great feeling to be undefeated at this point in the season."
Soul WR Darius Reynolds led the receivers with six receptions for 115 yards and five touchdowns. WR Ryan McDaniel added six receptions for 76 yards and FB Mykel Benson tallied seven rushes for 22 yards and four touchdowns. Tampa Bay WR Joe Hills led the receivers with 12 receptions for 161 yards and four touchdowns.
Philadelphia QB Dan Raudabaugh completed 15-of-21 passes for 209 yards and five touchdowns. Tampa Bay QB Randy Hippeard completed 28-of-45 passes for 324 yards and six touchdowns.
The Storm won the coin toss and elected to kick off to the Soul. The Soul scored off their first drive of the game from an 11-yard touchdown pass from Raudabaugh to Reynolds three minutes into game. Trevino's kick was good and the Soul took the first lead of the game, 7-0. Hippeard threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Hills that tied up the game, 7-7. With 3:14 to go in the first quarter, Raudabaugh threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Reynolds to give the Soul a 14-7 lead. Hippeard's pass was fumbled and recovered by Bell. On the next play, Benson ran it in for an eight-yard touchdown run. The Soul secured a 21-7 lead over the Storm with the first quarter winding down.
Reynolds scored his third touchdown of the game, off a five-yard pass from Raudabaugh, to start off the second quarter. The Soul lead 28-7. Hippeard threw to Hills for an eight-yard touchdown pass, which made the score 28-14, Soul in the lead. On their next drive, Hippeard successfully completed a 26-touchdown to Hill for the third time in the evening. The kick was good, and with 0:11 seconds left in the half, the Soul led 28-21.
To start the second half, the Storm turned the ball over on downs. The Soul capitalized when Benson ran it in for a one-yard touchdown, his 100th career touchdown. The kick was no good, and the Soul lead 34-21. With 8:35 left in the 3rd, Hippeard threw a 31-yard touchdown to Ings. The Soul still held the lead, 34-28. To continue their lead, Raudabaugh threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Reynolds, making it 41-28. Raudabaugh handed the ball off the Benson for a one-yard touchdown run, Benson's third touchdown of the game. The Soul ended the 3rd quarter with a 48-28 lead.
Hippeard threw a 11-yard touchdown pass to Lindsey to start the final quarter, however the Storm still trailed 48-35. Raudabaugh threw to Reynolds for 15-yard touchdown. The Soul held the lead, 55-35. With 9:34, Hippeard threw to Hills for a 26-yard touchdown. The kick was no good, and the Soul held the lead, 55-41. Raudabaugh handed the ball off to Benson for a 6-yard touchdown run, making it 62-41, Soul in the lead. With 2:27 left in the game, Hippeard's throw was intercepted by Romain, giving the Soul final possession. As the buzzer went out, the Soul defeated the Storm to continue their undefeated championship run, 62-41.
Offensive Player of the Game: Philadelphia FB Mykel Benson Defensive Player of the Game: Philadelphia LB Beau Bell MVP of the Game: Philadelphia WR Darius Reynolds
Arena Football League Stories from June 17, 2017
- Soul Dominate Storm, 62-41 - Philadelphia Soul
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