Soul Weekly
March 31, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
BEST START EVER
The Soul won their fifth consecutive game of the season against the Tampa Bay Storm on Sunday 59-51 in front of 16,179 pumped fans at the Wachovia Center. This is the first time in franchise history that the Soul began a season 5-0. The only other team in the AFL to have a perfect record this season is division rival Dallas Desperados.
QB MATT D'ORAZIO CONTINUES TO STEP UP
This was the second straight win with QB Matt D'Orazio filling in for QB Tony Graziani. D'Orazio completed 25-of-35 attempts, had no interceptions, garnered 296 yards and tossed seven touchdowns and ran for another. Combined with last week's performance against the Los Angeles Avengers, he completed 53-of-77 passes for 634 yards with 15 touchdowns and no interceptions.
MILESTONES REACHED
Chris Jackson had another impressive game with the Soul. He recorded eight receptions for 76 yards and three touchdowns. Jackson hit a milestone by catching an eight-yard pass at the end of the 2nd quarter with only 1.4 seconds remaining from D'Orazio. The eight yards allowed Jackson to become the fourth wide receiver in AFL history to break 12,000 receiving yards. He is only 1 of 2 active players in the AFL with more than 12,000 receiving yards (the other is Damian Harrell of the Chicago Rush). He has scored a touchdown every game of his AFL career. For the season, Jackson has a team-best 41 catches for 538 yards with a league-high 19 TD catches.
BRACKINS BENEFITTING FROM CJ
Larry Brackins also played extremely well and contributed to the Soul's defeat of the Storm. He recorded a career-high 10 receptions for 139 yards and 3 touchdowns. Brackins beat his previous career high of 8 receptions in a game. For the season, Brackins has 37 catches for a team-leading 551 yards with 11 TDs.
WATTS UP DOC?
Darius Watts was activated off the injured reserve in time to play his first career AFL game on Saturday and he shined. Watts recorded six receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown. He scored his first touchdown with his 14-yard catch from D'Orazio in the 4th Quarter with 6:08 remaining. Watts was out the first four games with an ankle injury.
DEFENSE CONTRIBUTES TO SOUL'S SUCCESS
Linebacker Anthony Dunn, the Defensive Player of the Game, recorded 5.0 tackles and 2.0 sacks for 10 yards. This was the second straight week he recorded a sack. DB Mike Brown, the Ironman of the Game, recorded 6.0 tackles and had 6 kick returns for 106 yards. DB Eddie Moten contributed with a fumble recovery in the 3rd quarter with 7:45 remaining. This set up a 14-yard touchdown from D'Orazio to Jackson.
WHAT THE WIN MEANT FOR THE SOUL
First time Soul started a season 5-0
The win gives the Soul a 3-0 home record
The Soul have won their last 5 straight home games (dating back to last season)
READY TO PUT OUT THE BLAZE
The Soul face the Utah Blaze at 7 p.m. (et) in the Wachovia Spectrum. The two clubs have never played each other before. Don't forget, this game is at the Spectrum - not the Center.
SOUL GIVEAWAY
The first 10,000 fans get a free official 2008 Soul Team Poster.
PHILADELPHIA SOUL LIVE
Every Wednesday at 7 p.m. listen to Philadelphia Soul Live on 950 ESPN Philadelphia. Hosts Ari Wolfe and Joe Krause break down the Souls' upcoming opponent and review the team's last game with head coach Bret Munsey. The show also features player interviews and giveaways. The show broadcasts live from Totaro's in Conshohocken and includes a one-hour pre- and post-show party that includes live music.
GAME NOTES
The Soul's weekly game notes can be attained early through aflmedia.com. Call the Soul's communications department for username and password.
INJURY REPORT
WR Kenny Henderson (collarbone) is expected to be out until at least mid-April. QB Tony Graziani (knee) is expected to miss at least another week. DL Tom Johnson (groin) is on the IR. FB John Peaua (back) is sidelined.
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 950 ESPN Philadelphia, which will also air all the games live on the web at www.950ESPN.com. Also, the Soul's game this week against Utah can be heard on Sirus Satellite channel 130 and seen on Comcast SportsNet.
SOUL.COM
Keep up with all the daily news on the Soul at www.philadelphiasoul.com.
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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.
