Wranglers 2006 campaign ends with 52-35 loss to Soul
Published on May 21, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Austin Wranglers News Release
Austin made its playoff debut on a national stage Sunday afternoon, but despite four touchdowns from rookie sensation Derrick Lewis, the Wranglers fell, 52-35, to the Philadelphia Soul and finished the season with a 10-7 record.
Philadelphia shut down Austin's offense by stopping multiple fourth-down conversions and also forcing long field-goal attempts. Soul quarterback Tony Graziani threw four touchdowns as the Soul pulled away in the second half for the Wild Card playoff victory over the Wranglers at the Frank Erwin Center.
Graziani completed 22-of-33 passes for 316 yards for Philadelphia (10-7). Austin quarterback John Fitzgerald was 21-of-37 for 198 yards and five touchdowns. Fitzgerald was hurried on a fourth-down play in the end zone and threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Philadelphia's Sean Scott.
Derrick Lewis enjoyed another successful game against the Soul secondary. Lewis had eight receptions for 108 yards and four scores, finishing the year with 258 yards and eight touchdowns against the Soul.
But Lewis' heroics weren't enough. Austin couldn't keep up when Philadelphia scored three unanswered touchdowns in the second half.
Electric kick returner Sedrick Robinson was limited by well-placed kickoffs between the uprights, but Robinson still managed to rack up 116 yards on four returns.
The Wranglers got defensive contributions out of Henry Bryant and Greg Brown, as both players recovered Soul fumbles in the first half. Austin converted Bryant's recovery into a touchdown drive, and also turned a blocked field goal by Donovan Arp into a touchdown.
Leading the Wranglers defensively were Bryant and Dane Krager with six tackles and one quarterback hit each.
Darrin Chiaverini, who was injured in the first meeting between these two teams, tallied seven receptions for 58 yards and the Wranglers first touchdown of the game.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 21, 2006
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