Soul to learn opponent tonight
July 7, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
SOUL BEAT DRAGONS BY A NOSE
The Philadelphia Soul live to play another day after pulling out a last-second victory versus the New York Dragons on Saturday, 49-48. The Soul were down 48-43, 28 yards from the endzone, with a little over seven seconds left in the game before the final play of the game. The last play saw QB Matt D'Orazio hit WR Larry Brackins over the middle of the field at about the 10 yard line. Brackins ran towards the endzone, was hit at the three-yard line and used all 6'5" of his frame to reach the ball across the plain of the endzone. The play was challenged, but insufficient video evidence was given to referee Bill Athan to overturn the call on the field of touchdown.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME FOE TO BE DECIDED TONIGHT ON ESPN2
The Soul, who host this Saturday's National Conference Championship game, July 12 at 1 pm (ET), will learn their opponent tonight as ESPN2 broadcasts the Divisional Round matchup between Cleveland and Georgia at 8 pm (ET). The Georgia Force earned the #2 seed in the National Conference winning the Southern division with a 10-6 regular season record. The Cleveland Gladiators earned the #4 seed in the National Conference after finishing third in the Eastern division with a 9-7 regular season record. The Gladiators advanced to the Divisional Round by defeating the Orlando Predators 69-66 at home in the Wild Card round. The two teams did not meet in the regular season, but Georgia owns a 4-1 all-time series edge.
JACKSON CONTINUES STRONG PLAY INTO POSTSEASON
The Soul continue to get their money's worth as key off-season addition Chris Jackson continued his strong play into the postseason. Jackson tied the Soul single-game playoff record for receptions with eight, and set new playoff records for receiving yards (122) and touchdowns (4) in a game. Jackson became just the fifth player in AFL history to score 200 career playoff points when he scored his second touchdown of the game. Jackson also recorded his 95 career playoff reception to tie him for seventh all-time with Stevie Thomas in AFL postseason history.
MOTEN STEPS UP BIG AGAIN VERSUS DRAGONS
Defensive back Eddie Moten, who was named the AFL's week 17 ADT Defensive Player of the Week for his performance at New York, continued to haunt the Dragons on Saturday as he set a new career and Soul record for tackles in a game with 13. In doing so, Moten fell just two tackles shy of the all-time AFL playoff record of 15 set by Kennedy Wilson in 1990 and tied by Barry Wagner in 1992. The previous Soul playoff record was 7.5 tackles by Moten in the Soul's 2006 loss to the Orlando Predators. The previous Soul record for tackles in a game was 11 by DeAuntae Brown vs. New York in 2004. Moten also added three pass break-ups, an intercepted a pass, and added a second interception on a two-point conversion attempt to preserve the lead.
WHAT'S UP TODAY
There was no practice today, but the players did receive treatment. The coaches, players, and front office will be watching tonight's game on ESPN intently to see which team they will host in Saturday's National Conference Championship game.
HE SAID IT
Coach Munsey on how his team will prepare for the next round: "We're going to go back, evaluate the film, and prepare a little bit better this week for the Conference Championship. There's too much on the line for us not to be ready to play at a high level. That was a good test for us, and we'll get better next week."
AROUND THE LEAGUE
The American Conference Championship game is set as #2 San Jose will host #6 Grand Rapids on Saturday, July 12 at 3:30pm (ET) on ESPN. San Jose won the only meeting between the two teams this season with a 66-58 win at Grand Rapids the second week of the season.
The following AFL awards are scheduled to be announced next week: The Coach of the Year will be announced on Tuesday, the ADT Defensive Player of the Year will be announced on Wednesday, and Offensive Player of the Year will be announced Thursday...
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP, ARENABOWL XXII TICKETS AVAILABLE
Fans can purchase tickets for this Saturday's Conference Championship game to cheer on the Soul as they continue their push towards the ArenaBowl. For more information on playoff tickets call 888-PHIL-AFL or email tix@philadelphiasoul.com. If the Soul win the Conference Championship game they will advance to the Virgin Mobile ArenaBowl XXII which will play played at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, LA on July 27 at 3pm (ET). For information on ArenaBowl XXII tickets go to ticketmaster.com.
SOUL PATCH UPDATE
Soul fans continue to send in their Soul Patches from across the country. Today's Soul Patch of the Day belongs to outfielder Jayson Werth of the Philadelphia Phillies. Werth hit a game-tying home run against the New York Mets on Sunday which just goes to show its "Werth" it to grow a Soul Patch. To see your Soul Patch featured on www.philadelphiasoul.com send your Soul Patch photo to soulpr@philadelphiasoul.com.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from July 7, 2008
- Gladiators Advance to National Conference Championship with 73-70 Win over Georgia Force - Cleveland Gladiators
- Soul to face Cleveland in cha,pionship game - Philadelphia Soul
- Soul to learn opponent tonight - Philadelphia Soul
- Conshohocken to Name Street for Soul - Philadelphia Soul
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