Philly Sports Jabronis
Report From Philadelphia Soul
PHILADELPHIA—The Philadelphia Soul (6-1) snapped their 0-6 series record against the Arizona Rattlers (5-2) with a 65-58 win in front of 8,505 fans at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA on Saturday night.
“Arizona is a good team and a good football organization, so we will take that win anyway we can get it,” said Soul head coach Clint Dolezel. “We protected well, the receivers got open and it was a seven-point game, but it felt much bigger than that.”
- Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game and Soul WR Shaun Kauleinamoku caught three passes for 64 yards and two touchdowns. Soul WR Darius Reynolds added eight receptions for 126 yards and three touchdowns. Arizona WR Rod Windsor had 12 receptions for 153 yards and two touchdowns.
Philadelphia QB and Under Armour Offensive Player of the Game, Dan Raudabaugh completed 14-of-21 passes for 223 yards and six touchdowns. Arizona QB Nick Davila completed 26-of-42 passes for 316 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Soul lost the coin toss and Rattlers kicked off to start the game. Raudabaugh connected quickly with Money Reynolds for a 9-yard touchdown. Frevert’s extra point was good and with 12:33 left in the quarter, the Soul took the lead 7-0. Arizona’s Mykel Benson fumbled on a play and the ball was recovered by Sean Daniels. The Soul capitalized on this and Raudabaugh found SK for a 4-yard rushing touchdown. Kick was good and with 5:40 remaining in the first quarter, the Soul led 14-0. The Rattlers responded when Davila passed to Maurice Purify for the team’s first touchdown of the night. Zendejas’ kick was good and at the end of the first half, the Soul led 14-7.
The Soul started the second half strong when Raudabaugh found SK again for a 25-yard touchdown. The extra point was good and the Soul kept the lead, 21-7 with 14:32 left in the half. Davila and the Rattlers were unable to complete the first down, giving the ball back to the Soul. Frevert’s field goal attempt was good and with 6:43 left in the first half, the Soul widened the lead, 24-7. The Rattlers found their second touchdown of the night when Davila connected with Purify again for an 8-yard touchdown. With 2:13 left in the half, the Soul led 24-14. McDaniel caught his first touchdown of the night, the kick was good and with one minute remaining in the half, the Soul led 31-14. Davila quickly responded with an 11-yard pass to Rod Windsor. Kick was good and at the end of the half, Soul led 31-21.
With a slow start to the third quarter, the Rattlers scored when Davila connected with Purify for his third touchdown of the night. Kick was good and with 9:37 left in the third quarter, the Soul remained in the lead 31-28. Raudabaugh instantly connected with SK for a touchdown and the kick was good, stretching the Soul’s lead 38-28. Davila passed to Mykel Benson for a 28-yard Rattler touchdown. Extra point was good and with 5:35 left in the third, Soul kept the lead 38-35. An on-side kick attempt by Arizona was recovered by Soul’s Daniels and returned for a touchdown. Kick was no good and with 4:31 left in the third quarter, the Soul were winning 44-35. The Rattlers fumbled the ball off the kick-off and it was recovered by Tracy Belton. Raudabaugh capitalized on this, handed off to Jeramie Richardson for a 4-yard rushing touchdown. At the end of the third quarter, the Soul led 51-35.
To start the fourth quarter, Davila passed to Purify for a touchdown. Arizona’s two-point conversion attempt was good and with 13:26 left in the game, the Soul led 51-43. Raudabaugh answered by connecting with Reynolds for a Soul touchdown with 10:42 left in game, to make the score 58-43. On Arizona’s next drive, Davila connected with Windsor for a touchdown. Their two-point conversion was successful again, making the game a close 58-51. Shortly after, Raudabaugh found ‘Money’ Reynolds in the end zone for his third touchdown of the night, adding to their lead, 65-51. With less than five minutes left in the game, Davila passed the ball to Amos for another Rattlers touchdown. The Soul came out on top, winning the game with a final score of 65-58.
Next week, the Soul host the Orlando Predators on Saturday, May 21 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports, 97.5 The Fanatic. Kick-off set for 7:30 p.m.
Under Armour Offensive Player: Philadelphia QB Dan Raudabaugh
Riddell Defensive Player: Philadelphia DB Tracy Belton
J Lewis Small AFL Playmaker: Philadelphia WR Shaun Kauleinamoku
Cutter’s Catch of the Game: Philadelphia WR Darius Reynolds’ 48-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter
AFL Highlight of the Game: Philadelphia DL Sean Daniels’s onside kick recovery for a touchdown.
