Philly Sports Jabronis
Report From Philadelphia Soul
PHILADELPHIA (June 14, 2014) – The Pittsburgh Power’s kicker Julian Rauch connected on a 23-yard field goal as the clock expired to give Pittsburgh the 57-56 victory over the Philadelphia Soul (6-7) in the East Division battle in front of 7,804 fans at the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday night.
“Despite the injuries and calls that didn’t go in our favor, I was pleased with the effort and heart that our guys showed tonight,” Soul head coach Clint Dolezel said. “But, the mental errors cost us the game tonight and there is no excuse for that.”
Philadelphia’s offense was led by Emery Sammons who had 14 receptions, tying the franchise record for most receptions in a game, 144 yards and three touchdowns. Tiger Jones followed with five receptions for 59 yards and one touchdown. V’Keon Lacey also added five receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown. Bryan Randall added an 8-yard touchdown.
Dan Raudabaugh finished by completing 27-of-42 passes for 267 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. Derrick Ross led the ground game with 36 yards on seven carries and two touchdowns.
Defensively the Soul was led by Joe Goosby who had 5.5 total tackles and a forced fumble. James Romain finished with 5.0 total tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Rayshaun Kizer added 5.0 total tackles and interception and one pass breakup.
Pittsburgh QB Tommy Grady led the Power by completing 21-of-34 passes for 197 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game, Prechae Rodriguez finished with 13 receptions for 144 yards and five touchdowns. Tyrone Goard had two touchdowns in the victory.
During the first quarter the Soul took a quick lead, with Ross rushing three yards for the first touchdown of the game to then convert for the two extra points at 12:38. The Soul were forced to go for two-point conversions all night after Carlos Martinez was injured on the game’s opening play.
Pittsburgh scored their first touchdown after one long offensive drive, scoring almost five minutes after Philadelphia when Rodriguez caught Grady’s 32-yard pass. One minute later, Jones got on the board making the score 16-7 with an 8-yard reception from Raudabaugh before another successful two-point conversion. The Power responded with Grady connecting to Goard for a six yard throw. At the end of the first quarter, the Soul led 16-14.
Sammons kicked off the second quarter with a touchdown, catching Raudabaugh’s 10-yard pass, followed by an unsuccessful two point conversion, but still leading the Power 22-14. The Power’s Goard caught a three yard pass, falling over the boards, to make the score 22-21. Pittsburgh then took the lead with thirty seconds left in the first half with a catch by Rodriguez for 28 yards. Sammons made a late 12-yard catch with twelve seconds remaining in the quarter, but Philadelphia could not capitalize on the two-point conversion. The Soul led 28-27 at the end of the half.
Starting off the third quarter, there was some controversy when the officials ruled a Raudabaugh pass was intercepted by Al Phillips. Replays clearly showed the ball rolling on the turf, but the Soul were not able to challenge the play because they had used their challenges in the first half. The ensuing play had Grady connecting with Rodriguez for a 12-yard touchdown to take the lead, 33-28. On the next kickoff, the Soul fumbled off the net allowing Pittsburgh to further their lead by twelve points.
The Soul got back on track when QB Bryan Randall as a receiver, caught Raudabaugh’s 8-yard pass for a Soul touchdown with 6:56 left in the third. Sammons added a rushing two-point conversion and cut into the Power lead, 40-36. The next Pittsburgh drive ended with a Rodriguez 7-yard touchdown on fourth down with 2:27 left. Philadelphia trailed 47-36 when the third quarter came to an end.
The fourth quarter started off with another quick touchdown for Sammons. Raudabaugh threw for one yard to put the Soul only five points behind Pittsburgh, after missing the two-point conversion. Rayshaun Kizer intercepted Grady’s long pass attempt, which lead to Ross’ 14 yard touchdown rush and allowed for Philadelphia to take the lead again, 48-47. The Power quickly took the lead back with Rodriguez‘s 6-yard touchdown catch. Raudabaugh threw his second interception, but the Power could not take advantage leading the Soul 54-48. The Soul gained the lead back with a touchdown when Lacey caught Raudabaugh’s 3-yard pass, and had a successful two-point conversion rush by Raudabaugh. The Soul defense held strong in the closing seconds, but Rauch connected on a 23-yard field goal after the Soul jumped offsides on fourth down. The kick gave the Power the 57-56 victory.
Next week, the Soul stay at home and take on the Cleveland Gladiators for the second time this season. The game will take place on Saturday, June 21 at 6 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Center.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player: Pittsburgh’s Prechae Rodriguez
Riddell Defensive Player: Pittsburgh’s Brandon Freeman
J Lewis Small AFL Playmaker: Philadelphia’s Emery Sammons
Cutter’s Catch of the Game: Pittsburgh’s Goard falling over the boards for a touchdown catch in the second quarter
Spalding Highlight of the Game: Philadelphia’s Dan Raudabaugh ran in a two-point conversion to give the Soul a 56-54 lead
