Soul Win Fourth Straight Game
July 6, 2019 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Soul (7-4) reeled off their fourth straight victory on Saturday night, defeating the Atlantic City Blackjacks (4-7) 50-45 in front of a crowd of 7,104 at Boardwalk Hall. The teams combined for 45 points in the fourth quarter, none more important than the final six, which came on Darius Prince's game-sealing touchdown with 13 seconds to play.
1st 2nd 3rd 4th FINAL
Philadelphia Soul 14 6 7 23 50
Atlantic City Blackjacks 7 9 7 22 45
Philadelphia jumped out to an early 14-0 lead following a 31-yard touchdown by Prince on the team's opening drive and James Romain's league-leading eighth interception of the season. The pick, Romain's fourth in the last three games, led to a one-yard score by Adrian Ferns. The fullback, who finished with two scores, has 12 rushing touchdowns this season, eight of which have come against Atlantic City.
Still, the Blackjacks battled back behind two touchdowns by Warren Smith Jr., one passing and one rushing, and a Mark Lewis field goal as time expired in the second quarter.
The teams then traded scores in the second half until midway through the fourth quarter, when the Philadelphia defensive line hit Smith in the end zone, forcing a fumble. Though the ball was recovered by Fred Ruff, Soul linemen Thomas Dover and Brandon Cottom wrapped him up for the safety to take a 36-30 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, Atlantic City attempted and recovered an onside kick before driving 39 yards for a touchdown. Up one, the Blackjacks recovered another onside kick but Dwayne Hollis picked off Smith on the first play of the drive and took it to the house. Soul quarterback Dan Raudabaugh then found Lonnie Outlaw on the two-point conversion attempt to put Philadelphia up seven.
The lead was short-lived, as Smith threw his fifth touchdown pass of the night to Antwane Grant. The receiver then ran the ball in on the two-point conversion, putting the Blackjacks up one.
With 38 seconds remaining, the Soul started their final drive on their own eight-yard line but a short completion and pass interference call moved the team down the field. Raudabaugh then found Prince for a 28-yard score, the receiver's second of the night to put Philadelphia up for good.
A last-ditch Hail Mary attempt by Smith fell to the ground, giving the Soul a season sweep of the Blackjacks and their ninth straight win over a Ron James-coached team.
The Soul now enter their bye week before finishing the regular season in Albany on July 20th.
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Arena Football League Stories from July 6, 2019
- Atlantic City Swept by Philadelphia in Season Series - Atlantic City Blackjacks
- Soul Win Fourth Straight Game - Philadelphia Soul
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