Soul Edges Orlando for Season’s 1st Win

Report From PhiladelphiaSoul.com

Led by an impressive performance by Dan Raudabaugh and the entire defensive front, the Philadelphia Soul (1-3) notched its first victory of the season with a 69-56 road win over the Orlando Predators (3-2) at the CFE Arena on Thursday night in front of 4,756 fans.

“We came together as a team tonight,” said Soul head coach Clint Dolezel.  “I was pleased how we came out and played.  There are a few things we still need to clean up, but this is the kind of effort that we are used to seeing on a consistent basis.”

Ryan McDaniel led all Philadelphia receivers with nine receptions for 113 yards, two receiving touchdowns and one rushing touchdown.  Tiger Jones added six receptions for 91 yards and two touchdowns, while V’Keon Lacey, Robert Redd and Wayne Tribue added touchdowns.  Derrick Ross led the ground game with 17 yards and two rushing touchdowns on 12 carries.

Russell AthleticOffensive Player of the Game, QB Dan Raudabaugh finished the night by completing 20-of-22 passes for 254 yards and seven touchdowns and no interceptions.  Unofficially, the completion percentage was the best in a single-game in AFL history, topping the previous mark set by his head coach, Clint Dolezel

Defensively, Joe Goosby earned Riddell Defensive Player of the Game with 4.5 total tackles, a pass breakup and an interception.  Bryan Robinson, Teddy Jennings and Brandon Perkins brought continued pressure all night.

Orlando’s Jason Boltus finished completing 23-of-46 passes for 348 yards and eight touchdowns and an interception.  Greg Carr, who was ejected in the fourth quarter for fighting, had seven receptions for 154 yards and four touchdowns, while Khalil Paden finished with six catches for 90 yards and three touchdowns.

The Soul defense started hot by applying pressure to Boltus and forcing a turnover on downs of the Predators first drive and giving the ball to their offense.  Raudabaugh took advantage by connecting with Jones on a 25-yard scoring strike and a Soul 7-0 lead.  Predators answered when Boltus found Carr for an 18-yard touchdown to tie the score at 7-7.   Raudabaugh continued his solid start by finding McDaniel on a 28-yard touchdown to give the Soul the lead 14-7.  Orlando returned the favor when Boltus connected with Carr again for a 42-yard touchdown and tied the game at 14-14 at the end of the first quarter.

The Soul took control by starting the second quarter with three consecutive scores.  Ross from a yard out, Tribue with a 6-yard reception and McDaniel with a 22-yard score gave the Soul a 35-14 lead.  The Soul finished the first half leading 41-28.

The Soul began the third quarter with a Raudabaugh to Jones 34-yard touchdown strike on their way to taking a 55-42 lead at the end of three quarters of play.  Philadelphia added touchdowns by Ross and McDaniel in the final quarter as the Soul wrapped up their first victory of the season by the score of 69-56.

The Philadelphia Soul will have their home opener next weekend in a re-match of the last two American Conference Championship games when they play the Jacksonville Sharks on Saturday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m.   The game can be seen on ESPN3.

Russell Athletic Offensive Player: Philadelphia’s Dan Raudabaugh

Riddell Defensive Player: Philadelphia’s Joe Goosby

J Lewis Small AFL Playmaker: Philadelphia’s Ryan McDaniel

Cutter’s Catch of the Game:Orlando’s Kendall Thompkins over the wall catch in the second quarter

Spalding Highlight of the Game:Orlando’s Jason Boltus TD pass with helmet off in the second quarter