Philly Sports Jabronis
Report From Philadelphia Soul
PHILADELPHIA—The Philadelphia Soul (3-1) won their second game at home, 67-50 against the Cleveland Gladiators (1-3) in front of 7,057 fans at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Saturday night.
“This level of intensity is what happens every time we face Cleveland,” said Soul head coach Clint Dolezel. “We started out sluggish on both sides of the ball, but came out after the half and cleaned up our mistakes.”
Philadelphia WR and Under Armour Offensive Player of the Game, Darius Reynolds led the team with 10 receptions for 114 yards and three touchdowns. Philadelphia WR Shaun Kaulienamoku added nine receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Cleveland WR Collin Taylor led his team with six receptions for 75 yards and one touchdown.
Philadelphia QB and J Lewis Small AFL Playmaker of the Game, Dan Raudabaugh completed 26-of-31 passes for 315 yards and eight touchdowns. Cleveland QB Dennis Harvilla completed 6-of-18 passes for 86 yards and one touchdown. Cleveland QB Arvell Nelson completed 7-of-12 passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
The Soul won the coin toss, elected to defer and kicked off to the Gladiators to start the game. Havrilla scored a touchdown on a 2-yard rush and Adrian Trevino’s kick was good, giving the Gladiators a quick lead with 11:35 to play in the first quarter. Raudabaugh answered with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Kauleinamoku. The kick was good and the game was tied 7-7 with 7:23 left in the first quarter. Havrilla scored his second touchdown of the game with a 1-yard touchdown run. At the end of the first quarter the Soul trailed the Gladiators 7-14.
Jeramie Richardson opened up the second quarter with a 2-yard rushing touchdown. The kick was no good and the Soul were trailing the Gladiators 13-14 with 11:11 left to play. Havrilla responded with a hand off to Phillip-Keith Manley for a 4-yard touchdown run and with 8:14 left in the second quarter the Soul still trailed 13-21. Raudabaugh’s pass was intercepted by Marvin Ross and returned for a 30-yard touchdown. The Soul fell behind 13-28 to the Gladiators with 5:37 left on the clock. Raudabaugh connected with Ryan McDaniel for a 6-yard touchdown pass and with 2:31 left to play in the second quarter the Soul were behind 19-28 to the Gladiators. The Soul defense came up with a big fourth down stop. Raudabaugh capitalized with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Darius Reynolds. At the end of the first half the Soul were down 26-28 to the Gladiators.
Raudabaugh started off the third quarter with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Reynolds. The kick was no good and the Soul led the Gladiators 32-28 with 12:58 to play. Harvilla countered with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Thryon Lewis and with 9:10 left in the third quarter the Soul trailed the Gladiators, 32-35. Reynolds scored his third touchdown of the game on a 6-yard pass from Raudabaugh. The Soul went up 39-35 over Cleveland with 5:19 left to play in the third quarter. Joe Goosby intercepted Havrilla’s pass and Jeramie Richardson took advantage to score his second touchdown of the game on a 2-yard rush. At the end of the third quarter the Soul were leading the Gladiators 46-35.
Arvell Nelson took over at quarterback for the Gladiators and opened up the fourth quarter with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Quentin Sims. The Gladiators two-point conversion was good and with 13:25 left to play the Soul led the Gladiators 46-43. Raudabaugh hit McDaniel on an 18-yard pass for his second touchdown of the night. The Soul increased their lead over Cleveland to 53-43 with 10:29 to play. Nelson responded with a 35-yard pass to Collin Taylor. The kick was good and with 9:05 left in the game the Soul were up 53-50. Raudabaugh connected with Kauleinamoku for a 7-yard touchdown pass with 8:00 left to play increasing the Soul’s lead to 60-50 over the Gladiators. Dwayne Hollis picked off Nelson in the end zone and Raudabaugh capitalized with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Chris Duvalt. With 3:13 left to play the Soul were up 67-50. Tracy Belton sealed the game for the Soul with an interception with less than a minute to play. The Soul beat the Gladiators 67-50.
Next week, the Soul travel to Los Angeles to take on the Kiss on Monday, May 2 at the Honda Center. The game will kick off at 10 p.m. EST.
Under Armour Offensive Player: Philadelphia WR Darius Reynolds
Riddell Defensive Player: Philadelphia DL Jake Metz
J Lewis Small AFL Playmaker: Philadelphia QB Dan Raudabaugh
Cutter’s Catch of the Game: Philadelphia WR Darius Reynold’s over the wall catch in the third quarter
Spalding Highlight of the Game: Philadelphia LB Joe Goosby’s interception at the end of the third quarter
