Soul Weekly
Published on March 3, 2008 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
FOR OPENERS
The Soul won their opener on Saturday at home against Orlando 77-56 in front of 17,689 fans. QB Tony Graziani threw a franchise-record nine touchdowns, four to newly acquired WR Chris Jackson. Graziani finished 15-of-22 passing for 257 yards with no interceptions, while Jackson, the offensive Player of the Game, ended with six catches for 78 yards. Larry Brackins led the team in receiving with six receptions for 133 yards with three TDs. Mike Brown, the Ironman of the Game, ended with 196 yards in kickoff returns, taking one for a 56-yard TD. The team's effort improved the club's record to 4-1 all-time in season openers and 4-1 all-time in home openers.
SOUL WAS SIMPLY OFFENSIVE
The Soul offense had its way on Saturday. Here are some other amazing numbers from Saturday's win:
-The Soul scored on all 11 possessions, until running out the clock on their final possession.
-The Soul offense was forced into only one third down, and converted the first down
-Kicker Connor Hughes converted all his PATs.
-The 77 points was one shy of the franchise record and a high for the weekend in AFL play.
-The team racked up an average of nine yards per play (a league best through the weekend).
-Larry Brackins' team-high 133 receiving yards was the fourth-best in the league over the weekend.
-The Soul offensive line, made up of Martin Bibla, Mike Mabry and Phil Bogle, didn't allow a sack on Saturday.
HENDERSON INJURED
The Philadelphia Soul placed wide receiver Kenny Henderson on the IR Monday with a broken collarbone. The injury occurred with nine seconds left in the first half when he caught his only TD pass of the game. Henderson, who came to the Soul in the offseason from New Orleans, ended with two catches for 39 yards. He is expected to miss at least six weeks of action.
UP NEXT
The Soul travel to Chicago for Sunday's game against the Rush at 1 p.m. (et). Chicago plays its first game Monday night against the San Jose SaberCats.
ROAD OPENERS
The Soul is 11-21 all-time on the road, but is 2-2 in road openers. Last year the club won at Nashville in the road opener, which was also the season opener. Overall, the Soul went 4-4 on the road last season, winning their first on the road before dropping three straight and splitting their final two.
LET THE MADNESS CONTINUE
With high expectations this year, March will be full of madness for the Soul. The month started off like a lion with the opener at home against the Orlando Predators and then the team has four more games before the month is over. Last season, the Soul got off to a blazing start, posting a 3-0 record in March. The Soul have a 7-3 record in the opening month of play since joining the league.
INJURY REPORT
FB John Peaua (back), WR Darius Watts (ankle) and OL George Gause (ankle) are on the IR and expected to miss at least the first two games. WR Kenny Henderson (collarbone) is on the IR and expected to be out until at least early April.
LAST MAN STANDING
The Soul are currently being featured on ESPN.com and ESPN360.com with webisodes of "Last Man Standing." Each weekly webisode gives an in-depth look at the Soul's training camp and includes one-on-one interviews with players trying to make the starting lineup and others who are just trying to make the team.
AIR WAVES
All 16 regular-season Soul games and any playoff games will be broadcast on Sports Radio 950, which will also air all the games live on the web at www.sr950.com. Also, the Soul's game this week in Chicago can be heard on Sirus Satellite channel 130.
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for the Soul are still available. Starting at just $90 for a season ticket, the Soul are the best dollar value in town. Family four packs, which include 4 tickets, 4 sodas and 4 hot dogs, are also available at just $68. For more information call the Soul's ticket office at 888-PHIL-AFL.
SOUL.COM
Keep up with all the daily news on the Soul at www.philadelphiasoul.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 3, 2008
- Rush Throttles SaberCats, 70-47, In Season Opener - San Jose SaberCats
- Big second half helps Rush top SaberCats, 70-47 - Chicago Rush
- Gladiators Win Home Opener - Cleveland Gladiators
- Dragons Fall to Gladiators 49-61 in Season Opener - New York Dragons
- Brigade Make First Roster Moves Of The Regular Season - Kansas City Brigade
- Soul Weekly - Philadelphia Soul
- Soul Place Henderson On IR - Philadelphia Soul
- Jon Kitna To Take Part In Centennial Wireless Kickoff Week - Grand Rapids Rampage
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.
