Soul Look to Weather the Storm
June 28, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA (June 28, 2012) - The Eastern Division Champion Philadelphia Soul (12-3) hit the road for last time in the 2012 regular season to face the Tampa Bay Storm (6-8). The Soul showed the Storm no mercy in Week 7 of the season en route to an 83-48 victory. The final road game of the Soul's season will be held on Amalie Motor Oil Field at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa Bay, FL with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on www.ustream.tv/philadelphiasoul with commentary by Tom Goodhines and Matt Martucci.
Currently on a five-game win streak, the Philadelphia Soul have clinched the 2012 East Division title and home field advantage throughout the American Conference playoffs. It marks the first time the Soul have made it to the Arena Football League postseason since winning it all in 2008.
The Soul are the best team in the League with a 12-3 record, but still remain focused and continue to grind heading into the final stretch. San Antonio and Arizona sit just one game behind at 11-3 in the National Conference, chasing the Soul for the AFL's best record.
"I think a lot of people expect that we can relax now that the team has clinched the division and home field advantage, but that's not the case," said Soul head coach Doug Plank. "Teams hurt themselves when they have that kind of mindset, so you can be assured the Soul will continue to play at full force. We know that every game counts."
The Soul head into their sixth straight rematch game in Week 17. Since Week 12, Philadelphia has swept season series against the Orlando Predators, Jacksonville Sharks, and Pittsburgh Power, while they avenged previous losses to the Cleveland Gladiators and Milwaukee Mustangs, splitting the season series with both division rivals. Philadelphia has a chance at another season series sweep this week against the Tampa Bay Storm.
The Soul's season-long success is due in large part to their quarterback and All-Arena candidate, Dan Raudabaugh. Raudabaugh has completed 312-of-466 passes for 4,048 yards and 94 touchdowns for a 67.0 completion percentage and 119.7 rating. He has led the Soul offense to the No. 1 spot in the AFL in scoring and rushing. Dan looks to keep the team focused as they complete the regular season.
Cutter's Receiver of the Year candidate WR Tiger Jones has been Raudabaugh's most reliable target all year. Jones has caught 121 passes for 1,806 yards and 41 touchdowns. Tiger is on pace to finish as No. 1 in each category in Soul single-season history and currently sits at No. 2 in the AFL for receiving yards (1,806), No. 3 in receiving touchdowns (41), and No. 4 in receiving yards per game (120.4). He is No. 6 in scoring (16.4) and in receptions per game (8.06).
Since returning from a wrist injury a few weeks ago, WR Donovan Morgan picked up right where he left off. Against Jacksonville, Morgan dominated as he hauled in eight receptions for 114 yards and three touchdowns. On the season, Morgan has 53 receptions for 625 yards and 18 touchdowns for an average of 89.3 yards per game and 11.8 yards per catch.
Soul fullback Derrick Ross has been a force throughout the entire season and is now No. 9 in league history for rushing touchdowns with 66. Ross needs 46 more carries to break the single-season mark in League history (167), 142 yards to break his own single-season record for yards in a season (622), and 15 more rushing touchdowns to break the league single-season mark (41).
Ross is No. 1 in Soul single-season history for each category. His 84 yards against the Orlando Predators in Week 13 was a franchise single-game record, as were his 21 carries. Ross has also added seven receptions for 131 yards and three touchdowns in the air. His Week 13 performance earned him both AFL Playmaker of the Week and National Guard MVP honors.
Philadelphia's defense has improved as the season has worn on, ranking No. 2 in the league for interceptions (27) and turnover margin (+16). They rank No. 3 in passing defense (250.6). The Soul defense is No. 4 with 25 sacks.
Riddell Defensive Player of the Year candidate DL Bryan Robinson has been a force in the backfield, ranking No. 3 in the League for tackles for loss (12.0) and for sacks (9.0). He is No. 2 in forced fumbles (5). One more sack gives Robinson the Soul single-season record. LB Joe Goosby is tied for No. 2 in the AFL for interceptions returned for touchdowns (3).
All-Arena candidate Kent Richardson has compiled 12 total interceptions, moving him past Mike Brown's eight interceptions for sole possession of No. 2 all time in Soul history for interceptions in a single season. One more ties Eddie Moten's franchise single-season record (13).
DB Rayshaun Kizer ranks No. 1 in passes defended (28). He is second on the Soul in total tackles (64) and is second in interceptions (10).
Philadelphia looks to stay on track as the final weeks of the regular season wind down. They'll continue to go full throttle despite all they have already accomplished. The Soul know there is a lot more work to do to accomplish their ultimate goal for the 2012 season - winning the franchise's second ArenaBowl championship.
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League message board...
Arena Football League Stories from June 28, 2012
- Sharks Add Defensive Lineman Julian Hartsell - Jacksonville Sharks
- Sharks Head to Bayou with Division Lead on the Line - Jacksonville Sharks
- Awake the Graveyard: VooDoo and Sharks Set for Key South Division Clash - New Orleans VooDoo
- Rowley Voted Week 16 National Guard MVP - AFL
- Former Kansas City Chief Returns to Command - Kansas City Command
- SaberCats Hall of Famer Sam Hernandez Named Ninth Greatest Player in AFL History - San Jose SaberCats
- Top 25 Players in AFL History: No. 9 Sam Hernandez - AFL
- Storm Shuffle Roster - Tampa Bay Storm
- Soul Look to Weather the Storm - Philadelphia Soul
- Orlando Predators Take on Georgia Force Sunday, July 1 - Orlando Predators
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.
