Soul Opens Season With 69-41 Win in Cleveland

Report From Philadelphia Soul

The Philadelphia Soul (1-0) started off its 2016 strong, with a 69-41 win over the Cleveland Gladiators (0-1) in front of 12,944 fans at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on Friday night.

“This was a great way to start our season,” Soul head coach Clint Dolezel said. “We are ArenaBowl or bust and with a win on the road, we are one step closer. I am looking forward to having this next week to fix the errors and prepare for the home opener against Jacksonville.”

WR Darius Reynolds led the receiving core with eight receptions for 79 yards and three touchdowns. J Lewis Small AFL Playmaker of the Game, Shaun Kauleinamoku added seven catches for 95 yards and three touchdowns. Ryan McDaniel had five receptions for 53 yards and one touchdown.

Under Armor Offensive Player of the Game, Dan Raudabaugh completed 21-of-33 passes for 233 yards and seven touchdowns. Cleveland’s Chris Dieker completed 19-of-35 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns.

Tracy Belton led the Soul defense with eight total tackles while Riddell Defensive Player of the Game Dwayne Hollis added one tackle, two interceptions for 33 yards. Joe Goosby added six total tackles and an interception. LaRico Stevenson had six total tackles. Jake Metz, Wes Mauia, Teddy Jennings and Justin Lawrence all contribute one sack.

After losing the toss, the Gladiators kicked off to the Soul. Dan Raudabaugh found Ryan McDaniel for the first touchdown of the night. Tommy Frevert’s kick was good, giving the team a quick 7-0 lead with 12:31 left in the first quarter. Cleveland was unable to complete a first down, resulting in a turnover. Raudabaugh capitalized and found Darius Reynolds in the end-zone with another Soul touchdown. Kick was good and with 8:51 left, the Soul led 14-0. Cleveland’s quarterback, Chris Dieker’s first pass was intercepted by Dwayne Hollis, giving the Soul a first down. SK caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Raudabaugh and with a good kick, the Soul led 21-0 with 6:01 remaining. A Dieker to Goodman pass resulted in a Gladiator touchdown with 4:02 left. At the end of the quarter, the Soul led the Gladiators 21-7.

Reynolds opened the second quarter off with an 18-yard touchdown reception from Raudabaugh to give the Soul a 28-7 lead. With 12:34 remaining in the half, Joe Goosby came up with an interception and an 18-yard touchdown. With 11:50 in the first half, the Soul led 35-7. Dwayne Hollis quickly intercepted another Dieker pass for a 33-yard touchdown. The kick was good and with 7:51 the Soul’s lead continued 42-7 over the Gladiators. Dieker responded with a touchdown pass to Taylor for 18 yards and the Gladiators margin shortened to 42-14 with 1:14 left in the half. Defensive back Joe Powell caught a Raudabaugh pass for another Cleveland touchdown. With 55.4 seconds remaining, the Soul led 42-21. The Soul quickly recovered with another SK touchdown with 19.8 seconds left in the play. Kick was no good and Philadelphia led 48-21. Dieker’s pass was again intercepted by DB Tracy Belton, resulting in a Soul touchdown. At the end of the first half, the Soul led 55-21.

The Gladiators started off the third quarter with a 4-yard rushing touchdown by Larry Beavers. With 13:13 remaining in the quarter, the Soul led 55-28. Raudabaugh’s pass was intercepted by Powell for a 45-yard touchdown, but the Soul kept the lead 55-34 over the Gladiators. The Soul capped the third quarter scoring when Reynolds again found the end zone, making the score 62-34.

With 11:46 left in the game, Chris Dieker rushed a 1-yard touchdown, giving the Gladiators a score of 62-41. Raudabaugh connects with SK again for a Soul touchdown, stretching the Soul lead 69-41 over the Gladiators. A late fumble by back-up quarterback Arvell Nelson, recovered by Joe Goosby ended the game. The final score Soul 69, Gladiators 41.

Next week, the Soul host the Jacksonville Sharks on Monday, April 11 at the Wells Fargo Center for a rematch of the 2015 American Conference Championship. The game will kick off at 7 p.m.

Under Armor Offensive Player: QB Dan Raudabaugh
Riddell Defensive Player: DB Dwayne Hollis
J Lewis Small AFL Playmaker: WR Shaun Kauleinamoku
Cutter’s Catch of the Game: DB Joe Powell 45-yard interception in 3rd quarter
Spalding Highlight of the Game: DB Joe Powell 37-yard touchdown in 2nd quarter