Soul Playoff Picture â Week Sixteen
June 15, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
The end of the regular season is fast approaching and there are only two more games left to solidify a spot in the postseason. The Philadelphia Soul are in the midst of a playoff hunt that could get them one step closer to ArenaBowl XXI in New Orleans.
Philadelphia is currently in the sixth position of the National Conference playoff standings with only six teams making the postseason. With the first four spots already clinched by the Dallas Desperados (13-1), Georgia Force (12-2), Orlando Predators (8-6) and Tampa Bay Storm (7-7), there are only two positions left to fill. The Soul's opponent this week, the Columbus Destroyers, are another team looking to take one of those spots.
Three teams are left competing for the last two positions after the Austin Wranglers (4-10) and New Orleans VooDoo (4-10) were eliminated from the playoff hunt last week. Columbus and Philadelphia hold the same record (6-8), but the Destroyers lie ahead of the Soul based on a victory earlier in the season. The New York Dragons (5-9) trail behind the Soul at number seven.
Soul fans should focus on the Blue and Grey's game this week, since the winner of the match up will be guaranteed a playoff berth.
The Soul will take on the Destroyers Saturday night in the Wachovia Center with the game being aired live on SportsTalk 950. If the Soul win, they would get to start the final part of the season. A playoff berth would allow them have a healthy and fresh start to a new season a postseason.
Throughout the season the Soul were hampered with injuries to their starting players. Earlier in the year, star quarterback Tony Graziani suffered a shoulder injury and missed four games, while missing the majority of another. Other players suffered from hamstring injuries, including defensive back Mike Brown and wide receivers Sean Scott and Larry Brackins.
But, a win or loss for the Soul this week does not stop the playoff possibilities.
If the Soul lose this week and win next week against Orlando, they still are guaranteed to extend their season.
Philadelphia can bring home a playoff game to the Center if the Tampa Bay Storm loses their next two games and the Soul win both of theirs. The Storm will play the Grand Rapids Rampage this week and the Austin Wranglers in the final week of the regular season.
The Soul may still make the playoffs even if they lose the next two. For that to happen, the City of Brotherly Love will be focusing in on the New York Dragons' last two games against Dallas and Columbus. If the Dragons lose both games, it will enable Philadelphia to reach the postseason.
Heading into the game, the Blue and Grey hold a home record of 2-4. Their last home game was in the Wachovia Spectrum against Dallas where they put up a fight, but were defeated 59-56. As they make their return to the Center on Saturday, the Soul look to repeat their last home victory when they defeated the VooDoo 78-34.
Columbus is in the same position as Philadelphia as they head into the game on Saturday. If the Destroyers win, they are guaranteed a berth to the playoffs. If Columbus loses, they will have one more chance to earn a position when they host the Dragons in the final week of the regular season.
For tickets to the Soul's last two regular season games on Saturday, June 16 at 7:00 p.m. against Columbus and on Thursday, June 21 at 7:00 p.m. against Orlando both in the Wachovia Center call 215-636-0421.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 15, 2007
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- Greisen Breaks Passing TD Record - AFL I
- Sabercats To Host Playoff Game July 7 - San Jose SaberCats
- Commissioner's Statement on Death of Justin Skaggs - AFL I
- Team Statement Regarding Death Of Justin Skaggs - Utah Blaze
- Rampage Host Tampa Bay in Final Home Game of 2007 - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Soul Playoff Picture â Week Sixteen - Philadelphia Soul
- AFL Weekly Report - AFL I
- Dallas Desperados Playoff Tickets - Dallas Desperados
- Brigade Update vs. Nashville - Kansas City Brigade
- Desperados Team Up with Speedzone to Make an Impact on At-Risk Youth - Dallas Desperados
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.
