Soul win thrilling game over Dragons
by Fran Stuchbury
April 27, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul
I was able to attend one of the better AFL games of the season as the Philadelphia Soul defeated the New York Dragons 60-58, thanks to a 52-yard field goal by Ken Hinsley as time expired.
When I asked Hinsley if this kick would build his confidence for the remainder of the season his responded, " Absolutely, it's a big kick in a pressure situation, I couldn't be more happy to do it. Praise God."
In the beginning of the season the Soul traded away kicker Brian Gowins for some help at the OL/DL position. At the time I thought it was a bad move because I wasn't certain rookie kicker Hinsley would be able to make a field goal with the game on the line.
I'm glad I was wrong, but one person always had faith in him. Her name is Linda Webb.
"Ken Hinsley is one of the nicest players on the Soul team. I met him at one our rallies, and have been behind him the whole season. Through good and bad, I have supported him. Many people were down on him early in the year but he has done so much for the team, from saving tackles on kickoffs, to putting down that needed onside kick. This was by far his best game and he contributed with a two-point conversion throw and the all-important game winning 52-yarder this week! All I ask is you give him your support and he will come through."
QB Todd Hammel had an outstanding game for the Soul, passing for 312 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. Unless he gets into a slump and struggles, look for him to be the starter for the remainder of the season.
Hammel was very happy the Soul got a victory. "It feels good. We did what we needed to win. We played a great ball team today. We got a win and put ourselves back into the playoff picture."
I had the chance to talk to Soul co-owner Craig Spencer after the game and he was very pleased with the Soul fan support they have gotten this season. "They have been fantastic to us. Despite that our record is not good, they are coming out every week and they are supporting us. This place was still packed tonight when the game ended. What an ending!"
The Soul now is 5-6 and travel to Colorado this Saturday night when they take on the 8-4 Crush. They would likely have to win four if not all five of their remaining games to make the post season.
EXTRA POINTS
PHILYAW OUT 2-4 WEEKS WITH MCL INJURY
During a 71-35 loss to the Los Angeles Avengers, the Rush lost more than the game as starting quarterback Raymond Philyaw went out with an MCL injury to his knee.
He is expected to miss 2-4 weeks with this injury. Backup Chad Salisbury will be the starter till Philyaw is healthy enough to come back.
RAMPAGE COACH CORTESE FIRED
After a 1-10 start and an embarrassing 69-30 loss to the Colorado Crush, the Grand Rapids Rampage fired head coach Bob Cortese and replaced him with Rick Frazier.
Frazier hopes to lead the Rampage to victory when they host the Austin Wranglers this Friday.
DS McENTYRE ALL-TIME LEADER IN INTS
During the Predators 64-49 victory over the Dallas Desperados, Orlando Predators DS Kenny McEntyre became the AFL all-time leader in INT's picking off his 51st and 52nd passes.
The Orlando Predators hope to extend their winning streak to four games when they host their archrivals the Tampa Bay Storm this Sunday.
RATTLERS ARE ON FIRE
The Arizona Rattlers are playing like the team that went to the ArenaBowl the past two seasons, having won four games in a row.
They traveled to Indiana and put an end to the Firebirds six-game winning streak by defeating them, 46-43.
The Rattlers hope to extend their winning streak to five games when they travel to Los Angeles to take on the Avengers, a team they have had a lot of success against at the Staples Center.
If you have any questions or comments feel free to drop me an email at arenazone@doseofsoul.com and I will be more than happy to get back to you.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 27, 2004
- Soul win thrilling game over Dragons - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Crush-Soul game moved to Saturday night - Colorado Crush
- San Jose SaberCats game notes - San Jose SaberCats
- Chicago Rush game notes - Chicago Rush
- Tampa Bay Storm game notes - Tampa Bay Storm
- Carolina Cobras game notes - Carolina Cobras
- New York Dragons game notes - New York Dragons
- Philadelphia Soul game in Colorado rescheduled - Philadelphia Soul
- Crush game against Philadelphia rescheduled - Colorado Crush
- Avengers Rush by Chicago, 71-35 - OSC Original by Tim Peterson - Mid Valley News
- Los Angeles' Graziani, Orlando's Mc Entyre, Las Vegas's Blalock - AFL I
- Firebirds looking for three or four of a kind - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Avenger QB Tony Graziani honored by AFL - Los Angeles Avengers
- Coco Blalock named AFL's Army Ironman of the Week - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Kenny âThe Gloveâ McEntyre picks off AFL award - Orlando Predators
- Rush QB Philyaw undergoes MRI, prognosis good - Chicago Rush
- Arizona Rattlers game notes - Arizona Rattlers
- Las Vegas Gladiators game notes - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Wait list announced for 2005 Destroyers season tickets - Columbus Destroyers
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
