Soul Prepare For Gladiators
June 12, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
The Philadelphia Soul (11-3) host the Cleveland Gladiators (8-6) on Saturday, June 14th at the Wachovia Spectrum. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. (et). The game can be seen on live Comcast SportsNet and heard on 950 ESPN. The game audio will also be streamed live on-line at www.950ESPN.com.
After defeating the Desperados last Saturday, the Soul are now tied for first place with Dallas and hold the tie breaker for best record in the conference. The Soul have a 0-4 all-time record against the Gladiators. In their last match-up, the Gladiators defeated the Soul 67-55, knocking the Soul from the ranks of the undefeated, and former Soul FB/LB Marlion Jackson totaled 50 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Chris "Money" Jackson continues up the charts this week after last week becoming the second AFL player to pass the 13,000-yard receiving mark. The only other player to do so is Barry Wagner (Wagner 13,363/ Jackson 13,029). Jackson also became the Soul's single-season receiving leader with 1,519 yards, breaking Charles Pauley's record of 1,473 in 2007. Last week, Jackson also tied his single-game career best and Soul single-game record of six touchdowns receptions.
Quarterback Matt D'Orazio is back to starting this week after Tony Graziani suffered a concussion during the second quarter last week against Dallas. D'Orazio is only two touchdown passes away from 250 for his career. The dual-threat QB is also tied with Sean Scott for fourth on Soul's all-time lead in rushing touchdowns with nine.
Before the game, the Philadelphia Soul will honor local fire fighters and police officers who protect our community. There will be a special commemoration for Philadelphia Police Officer Charles Cassidy, who lost his life in the line of duty on October 31, 2007, and Lower Chichester firefighter Nicholas Picozzi, who died while fighting a house fire on May 5, 2007. Philadelphia Fire Chief Joseph Picozzi, Chichester Fire Chief Ray Fuller, and Philadelphia Chief Inspectors Joseph Sullivan and James Tiano will lead the ceremony.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund will be selling t-shirts, patches, and badges for the families of those lost in the line of duty. All proceeds will go to the families.
Nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis will be the honorary coin-toss captain. Lewis was a member of the U.S. Olympic Team five times and was named World Athlete of the Year three years in a row. Lewis was also named World Athlete of the Decade for the 1980's and Olympic Athlete of the Century.
The People's Emergency Center will hold a clothing drive before the game. They will be collecting new baby clothes at the main entrance up until halftime. ShopRite will also be conducting a food drive at the main entrance during the game.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 12, 2008
- Soul sign Gauntt, Ward - Philadelphia Soul
- Hall of Famer Goose Gossage to Appear at Dragons Regular Season Finale - New York Dragons
- Arena Football's Chicago Rush featured in "This is SportsCenter" Promo "Scheduling Conflicts" with - Chicago Rush
- Soul Prepare For Gladiators - Philadelphia Soul
- Georgia On My Mind - Chicago Rush
- Soul to honor Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski - Philadelphia Soul
- Georgia Force Fan Appreciation Sale - Georgia Force
- Quick Hitters - Week 16 - AFL I
- Tampa Bay Storm and metroPCS To Host Football Camp - Tampa Bay Storm
- Rush All-Arena LB DEJuan Alfonzo Lost For Season - Chicago Rush
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