Soul Down Gladiators; Punch Ticket For New Orleans
July 12, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA, PA (July 12) -- The Philadelphia Soul took another step toward its ultimate goal of the Arena Football League 2008 Championship Saturday, topping the Cleveland Gladiators, 70-35, to earn a berth in Virgin Mobile ArenaBowl XXII, July 27 at New Orleans Arena.
Before a near-capacity afternoon crowd at the Wachovia Center, the Soul jumped out to a 28-7 lead and never looked back with Matt D'Orazio and Larry Brackins combining for three touchdowns. The Soul defense and special teams delighted the crowd with several big plays, including two interceptions by Eddie Moten and a spectacular 57-yard kickoff return by Mike Brown.
The Soul will meet the winner of the San Jose Sabercats versus the Grand Rapids Rampage in the New Orleans title game, the destination set forth by team co-majority owners Jon Bon Jovi and Craig Spencer and team president/co-owner Ron Jaworski when training camp started in February. Tickets for Virgin Mobile ArenaBowl XXII are available by calling 866-AFL-TIXS or by visiting www.arenabowl.com
After two straight Divisional Round playoff exits, the Soul went out this year and acquired star free agent wide receiver Chris Jackson and top-flight AFL quarterback Matt D'Orazio to bolster a lineup deemed just shy of the talent needed to go all the way. Jackson has justified the team's confidence and D'Orazio has excelled in relief of starter Tony Graziani, whose season has been slowed by injury. The victory gave the Soul a 15-3 record with only the championship game remaining.
The Soul opened the scoring on a D'Orazio to Brackins sideline catch and run good for 13 yards. The Soul produced four more short touchdowns, including five- and nine-yard scoring catches by Jackson, while taking a 35-21 halftime lead.
Philadelphia put the game away early in the fourth quarter with two big plays, a fourth-and-eight first-down conversion pass from D'Orazio to Brackins and a 16-yard touchdown catch by Holmes.
Cleveland's Raymond Philyaw completed 25-of-49 for 303 yards and four touchdowns with wide receiver Robert Redd notching 11 catches for 152 yards and two TDs. The loss left the Gladiators at 11-8 on the season in their first year in Cleveland.
For Philadelphia, D'Orazio completed 17-of-25 passes for 184 yards and eight touchdowns with no interceptions. Brackins had seven catches for 92 yards and three scores. Holmes added five receptions for 57 yards and three more TDs. During the game, Jackson registered his 100th career post-season catch and his two scores made him the Soul franchise playoff touchdown leader with six.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from July 12, 2008
- Rampage Playoff Run Ends, Lose to SaberCats, 81-55 - Grand Rapids Rampage
- SaberCats stop Rampage, 81-55 - San Jose SaberCats
- Philadelphia and San Jose advance to Virgin Mobile ArenaBowl XXII in New Orleans - AFL I
- Soul To Face San Jose In New Orleans - Philadelphia Soul
- Philadelphia Ends Cleveland Playoff Run, Gladiators Fall 70-35 - Cleveland Gladiators
- Soul Down Gladiators; Punch Ticket For New Orleans - Philadelphia Soul
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