Soul Weekly Update
June 16, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
SOUL DEFEAT GLADIATORS FOR FIRST TIME EVER
The Philadelphia Soul defeated the Cleveland Gladiators 62-61, on Saturday night in front of a sold-out crowd of 16,637 at the Wachovia Spectrum. With 37 seconds left, Chris Jackson scored on a 15-yard pass from D'Orazio, only to see the Gladiators reciprocate with a score of their own with 5 seconds remaining. The Gladiators went for the two-point conversion and the victory, but an interception by Eddie Moten sealed the victory for the Soul.
CHRIS "MONEY" JACKSON MOVES UP THE RECORD BOOKS
Chris Jackson continues to move towards the top of the AFL record books. During Saturday's game, Jackson became the third player in Arena Football history to score 2,000 points, joining Barry Wagner and Eddie Brown. Jackson entered the game 8 points shy of 2,000 and scored 18. Jackson also set a new career-high for touchdowns in a single season when he scored his 48th late in the fourth quarter to break his previous best mark of 47 set in 2007.
D'ORAZIO STEPS IT UP IN PLACE OF INJURED GRAZIANI
Matt D'Orazio started once again in place of Tony Graziani, who suffered a concussion during Week 15 against Dallas. D'Orazio ended the game with 283 passing yards on 25-of-39 attempts, with 6 touchdowns, and added 14 yards two rushing touchdowns. With 11 rushing touchdowns, D'Orazio leads the Soul for the 2008 season and is third on the all-time list, despite this being his first season with the Soul. He is only behind Chris Ryan,32, and Wes Ours, 22, in rushing touchdowns on the all-time list. D'Orazio was named Offensive Player of the Game for the second time this season.
SOUL HEAD TO NY TO TAKE ON THE DRAGONS
The Philadelphia Soul(12-3) will travel to New York to play the Dragons (8-7) on Sunday, June 22nd at Nassau Coliseum at 3pm (et). During their last match-up, Soul QB Tony Graziani was injured in the third quarter with a sprained left knee. Matt D'Orazio stepped in to lead the Soul to a 63-42 victory.
BUS TRIP
The Philadelphia Soul will host a bus trip to the game on Sunday in New York. There will be eight busses to take fans to a catered tailgate and live broadcast from Q107's First Hit with Krausey and Ozzy before the game. Busses will leave the Wachovia Center at 9:30 am and fans will watch a replay of the Soul's game against New York earlier this season. Tickets will be available until Tuesday at 8pm. For more information visit www.philadelphiasoul.com or email bustrip@philadelphiasoul.com.
PLAYOFF SENARIOS
The Philadelphia Soul can clinch the Eastern Division title, gain home-field advantage during the playoffs and a bye during the first week with a win against New York on Sunday or if Dallas loses to Chicago. The Soul can also play spoiler, a loss by New York would hurt its chances of gaining a playoff berth.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
The Georgia Force (10-5) clinched the Mitsubishi Motors Southern Division title and secured a first-round bye during the playoffs with its 50-47 victory over the Chicago Rush (10-5) on Saturday...Tampa Bay Storm WR Sedrick Robinson became the AFL's all-time kickoff returns leader with 9,811...AFL great Barry Wagner announced his retirement last week after 16 seasons in the league. He is the all-time career leader in touchdowns, points, receiving yards, rushing touchdowns, all-purpose yards and forced fumbles.
AIR WAVES
All 16 regular-season Soul games and any playoff games will be broadcast on 950 ESPN, which will also air all the games live on the web at www.950ESPN.com.
SOUL.COM
Keep up with all the daily news on the Soul at www.philadelphiasoul.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 16, 2008
- Soul Weekly Update - Philadelphia Soul
- Receivers Make History - New York Dragons
- Eight Teams. Six Spots. One Weekend. - AFL I
- Chicago Rush Divisional Playoff Game Set - Chicago Rush
- Gladiators Playoff Picture: Win and In - Cleveland Gladiators
- Force Edges Rush 50-47 - Chicago Rush
- Crush look to keep playoff hopes alive tonight on ESPN2 - Colorado Crush
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