Hard loss to Arizona complicates playoff picture

A chance to take a stranglehold on the league slipped out of the Soul’s grasp Friday night in their 80-63 loss to the Arizona Rattlers.

Now, the Philadelphia team that sat in first place the past six weeks finds themselves in third place at 9-3, trailing the 9-3 Arizona Rattlers who hold the season tiebreaker over the Soul, and also the Orlando Predators who advanced to 10-2 with their win over the Sharks on Saturday.

More importantly, if the Soul end up facing the Rattlers in the Arena Bowl come August, they’ll be hitting the road back to Arizona, and we’ve come to learn the past month that this team can get tripped up when they leave the Wells Fargo Center and the surrounding Philadelphia area.

But the fall from grace wasn’t a drop from the get go Friday night, and for a while it looked as if the Soul were putting together a successful game plan that had them on the verge of sweeping the former three-straight Arena Bowl champions.

Philly had never won in Arizona, but they looked determined to get their first win from the opening kick when Chris Duvalt brought the kick to the house 54 yards to put the Soul up 7-0 before either Dan Raudabaugh or Nick Davila could take a snap.

The Soul defense was shutting down Arizona’s top receivers Maurice Purify and Rod Windsor early on, and a missed Arizona extra point attempt gave Philly a one-point cushion as the teams traded touchdowns.

With Philadelphia’s offense clicking on all cylinders and both teams keeping the score tight, the Soul looked as if they were one play away from the game getting blown open.

And then it happened.   

With his two top receivers making no noise, Davila threw a 35 yard score to Chase Deadder to pull Arizona within a point as the Soul led 28-27 with 8:58 remaining in the first half.

On the very next kick, Alex Zendejas booted the kick of Philly’s crossbar, and in a scramble for possession Arizona’s Dan Buckner scooped up the ball and ran it in for a touchdown, giving Arizona their first lead of the night at 34-28.

Looking to put themselves back ontop, the Soul offense seemed a bit shaken on their next possession, as Raudabaugh had only missed his target once before the special teams touchdown but threw two incompletions immediately following the score.

His third pass found its way right into the hands of Arizona’s Jeremy Kellem deep in Soul territory, and a series of blocks led Kellem into the endzone to extend the Rattlers’ lead to 41-28.

Now trying to pull within a touchdown of the momentum stealing Rattlers, Raudabaugh made yet another uncharacteristic mistake with his second straight interception on his very next throw, this time by Arkeith Brown who also returned his turnover to the house for a touchdown.

Suddenly, the first place Soul who had control of the league and seemingly the game early on were down by three touchdowns before halftime.

In the final seconds of the first half, the Soul had a chance to pull the game within 12 points and create some momentum heading into the locker room, but a Raudabaugh pass to Jermaine Richardson behind the sticks went nowhere and the Rattlers took a 53-35 lead into halftime.

Philadelphia’s defense did not generate a stop in the first half to help a struggling offense, yet they had their opportunity to start the second half. Arizona was backed into their fourth down of the game at the Soul 17 yard line, but Davila killed any hope of a momentum swing with a touchdown pass to Purify.

It was only the first drive of the second half, but the game was out of reach for the Soul as they trailed by four touchdowns.

Philly’s defense showed up when the game was out of reach, with Tracy Belton and Dwayne Hollis interceptions off Davila in the fourth quarter. But their opportunities had expired and the turnovers proved to be too late, as the Rattlers closed out their win.

The game was by far the biggest and most concerning loss the Soul have had all season. After beating every team in the league their first 11 weeks, including the franchise's first ever win over the Rattlers last month, the Soul were proving to be the Arena Bowl favorites when they headed to the desert.

Now, they’re a second place team in the American Conference, needing some help to try and obtain the league’s top seed.

The Soul defeated the Predators as well last month, so if the Soul can pull within a tie of Orlando than Philadelphia would pass the Preds. The Soul will also conclude the regular season with a trip to Orlando in week 18.

It’s not all doom-and-gloom for the Soul hosting the Arena Bowl if they get to participate in the championship game, as the Rattlers still have to host the Predators and Sharks who both beat the Rattlers earlier this season in their own arenas.

But we’ve learned that it’s much different playing in Arizona, and most people had Philadelphia ranked above those two teams and it didn’t turn out so well in their trip.

The Soul still can't top off the Rattlers for a year, and they still can't win in Arizona.

Hopefully they'll get a crack at finishing off at least one of those in August.

Soul look to sweep Rattlers for home field tiebreaker

CSNPhilly.com

Friday could be the biggest regular season game in Philadelphia Soul history to date, when the Soul travel to the desert trying to sweep the Arizona Rattlers and clinch the tiebreaker for Arena Bowl home field.

That might be a bold statement, looking back at the 11 seasons the Soul have been in the AFL. And Philly has definitely been in some amazing regular season matchups during that time.

During the 2008 season, Philadelphia was in a heated battle with the Dallas Desperados for the top seed in the conference, and it was believed that the two matchups between the teams could decide who would come out on top.

Both the Soul lost both games, and still finished one game ahead of the Desperados.

In 2014, the Soul traveled to Pittsburgh in the final week of the regular season for a win-and-in game for the Soul, and Pittsburgh demolished Philly (in the final regular season game the Power would ever see).

Even five weeks ago, the Soul hosted the Rattlers hoping to beat them for the first time ever, with a haunting history of losing all six matches against them.

And when the Soul walked off the field with the 65-58 victory, it was definitely a crucial win for Philly’s season and franchise.

While the win proved to everyone, most especially themselves, that the Soul are capable of defeating the Rattlers in an Arena Bowl this season, this game could be just as important.

The Soul are leading the American conference at 9-2, just one game ahead of the National conference leading Arizona Rattlers in the league standings as the snakes are 8-3 on the season.

A Philadelphia win would give the Soul complete control over the tiebreaker between the teams if they finish with the same record when the season is all said and done. They will be virtually three games above the Rattlers with four games remaining for each team.

If Arizona wins, things get interesting. The next tiebreaker after head-to-head matchups is overall points scored in the matchup, which Philly is leading by seven points after last month’s win.

However, an Arizona win by more than one touchdown would give the Rattlers the postseason tiebreaker.

That makes you wish the Soul would have been able to recover a few of those onside kicks in their last matchup and kept the score more lopsided.

Nonetheless, the Soul have a great opportunity to beat the Rattlers once again, a team they’ve had the number of for at least this season.

But Arizona thinks they’re back to the championship form we’ve grown accustomed to seeing the last five seasons.

They’ve taken two lower-tiered teams to the woodshed over the last two weeks, defeating the Cleveland Gladiators 77-62 on the road and the (winless) Portland Steele 76-49 at home last week.

It is worth noting however that the Rattlers were humiliated by the Tampa Bay Storm-who only had one win heading into the matchup-just three weeks ago.

Arizona has attempted to turn back the clock for the postseason run, adding their former great safety Jeremy Kellem to the roster last week. He recorded seven tackles and two breakups in the win over the the Steele.

There is no question about Philly’s capability of winning a big game like this, even with their 0-2 history inside the snakepit. The Soul defense needs to generate turnovers just as they did in the first matchup when they forced three fumbles and one turnover on downs over the mighty Nick Davila’s offense.

Philly’s secondary has been atop the best of the league this season, and although they did not bring in a pick on Davila last month, Dwayne Hollis very well could extend his six interceptions, which is the league’s second best. If Davila doesn’t want to tempt his odds with Hollis, Tracy Belton, James Romain and LaRico Stevenson will have adrenaline pumping through their veins to take control of the game.

On offense, Dan Raudabaugh continues to look like the league’s MVP for a second straight season, and Jermaine Richardson has been a huge ground threat for the Soul at fullback.

The only weaknesses the Soul have truly shown this season have been an inability to start off strong at times, and also overlooking their opponents to bigger games.

But there are no bigger games than this from here on out. Philadelphia ends the season in Orlando, which could decide home field for the American conference playoffs, but the Soul look like the better of those two teams if the game even has any meaning at that point. Arizona also plays Orlando one more time this season, but that game too will be in the snakepit.

This game very well could be the difference between hitting the road for a second trip to Arizona in the Arena Bowl, or hosting the championship game at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

So buckle up and get your snake bows ready, because Friday's going to be one hell of a ride.

Soul become first to beat every team in the league

Saturday's victory was as critical for a first place team as possible midway through the season.

The win came in timely fashion, one week after the Soul lost an upset to the par-Gladiators, and the Sharks had bit a miracle win out of the second place Orlando Predators.

Philadelphia needed a win over the team that had been struggling in every direction all season. The team that upset the Soul in Philly at the beginning of the year. The team that upset the Soul in last years conference championship.

The one team in the league the Soul hadn’t defeated yet this year.

They had one more opportunity to quiet the Sharks who have given them fits for a full calendar year before the playoffs started, in case they met once again in a heated postseason battle.

And that’s exactly what they did.

Saturday’s 56-42 win in Jacksonville had all the components needed to prove to the world that the Soul are still the best team in Arena Football.

Philly’s defense only generated one stop in the Cleveland loss, yet matched that number on Jacksonville’s second drive of the game.

Tied at 7-7 and at their own 20 yardline, Jacksonville’s Tommy Grady tried to find Tiger Jones 30-yards down the field in the Soul endzone but was intercepted by James Romain at the Soul goal line for the game's first turnover. Dan Raudabaugh connected with Ryan McDaniel 2.5 minutes later to give the Soul their first lead of the game, 14-7.

The Soul did face adversity to work through early on as well, as the offense suffered turnover problems as they did the previous week.

In the final five minutes of the second quarter, Ryan McDaniel fumbled the ball through a wall of lineman at the Jacksonville 12 yard line which was recovered by Micheaux Robinson to give Jacksonville the ball, tied 21-21.

Head coach Clint Dolezel’s play calling in the final minute of the half stole a possession away from the Sharks however, as he’s done to opponents numerous times this season. The Soul offense was able to shed 39 seconds off the clock before scoring a Darius Reynolds touchdown and handing the ball back to Jacksonville with just 12 seconds remaining. Grady was only able to run three plays before time ran out, sending the teams to the locker rooms tied 28-28.

Philly’s defense carried the momentum over to the second half, with Jacksonville getting the ball to start play yet turned it over on downs just outside the Soul endzone.

The teams traded scores the rest of the third quarter, but the Jacksonville offense showed to be out of sync at times just as they have all season. The (surprise and out of nowhere) acquisition of wide receiver Reggie Gray got the home crowd excited early, as Gray scored the first two Jacksonville touchdowns of the game, but the star-studded team knew that someone would be getting action cut with the addition. Gray finished with eight receptions for 66 yards in the game. Their leading receiver all season, Joe Hills, was quiet in the beginning, but came around in the game to still lead the team with 163 yards and two touchdowns.

The former Soul greats, Tiger Jones and Derrick Ross, were the ones who got less attention with Gray’s presence. Jones lit up his former team in the first meeting back in April with two touchdowns and 126 yards, but this time around only got five catches with 71 yards and did not find the endzone.

Ross, who always gets up and loud to play the Soul, got a little too high and loud with penalties making him a non factor in the game. He did bring in one score, but only gained nine rushing yards on six attempts and put his team in deep penalty holes.

The wear and tear showed in the fourth quarter, as the Soul defense stopped the Sharks on downs two more times with the last a goal line stand to seal the deal with 51 seconds remaining.

Raudabaugh finished the night completing 21 of 25 passes for 289 yards and six touchdowns. Despite McDaniel’s turnover issues, he made up for them almost every other chance he had, finishing the night with 167 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Reynolds hung up 72 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Jermaine Richardson was the better fullback in the match, finishing with 20 yards and a pair of touchdowns himself.

The Soul were the better team in the match, and showed once again why they have the best record in Arena Football. The win advanced them to 8-2, and dropped the Sharks to 4-5.

The path to the Arena Bowl is closing in, with just six games remaining in the regular season. The Soul have now beaten every team in the AFL, and while every team makes the postseason, they will probably be the only team who can say that when the playoffs start.

Soul need rebound win Saturday at Jacksonville

Philadelphiasoul.com

A chance for redemption lays in front of the Philadelphia Soul this weekend with their trip to Jacksonville.

And it’s for more than just last week’s tough loss to the Cleveland Gladiators.

Saturday’s game does give Philly their first rebound opportunity after dropping their first game to their rival Gladiators in two years, 63-49. The first place Soul brought the league’s top squad to Ohio, only to come out unenthused with turnovers and an inability to generate more than one turnover of their own on defense.

It was a glitch in the 16 game season, and they have the quick opportunity to put it in the past and move on with their sights on an Arena Bowl.

But this Saturday’s match with the Jacksonville Sharks will also give the Soul long awaited chance at taking down the team that stopped them from reaching the Arena Bowl last season.

And as great as the Soul have looked through the majority of the 2016 season, the Sharks have not built off their two-game playoff run last season that put them in the championship game. The Sharks are entering this weekend coming off two straight wins, but it’s only brought them to .500 at 4-4. The star-studded roster with former Soul names such as Derrick Ross and Tiger Jones are putting up their usual stats, yet don’t have much to show for it with their record.

Not to mention, Jacksonville added another interesting piece of wood to the fire this week adding former All-Arena receiver and defending world champion Reggie Gray.

Let’s take a look at what’s looking good for the Soul this weekend, and what could work against them in Jacksonville.

POSITIVES

Despite the recent trends, Philadelphia has shown to be the better team.

It’s no secret that Jacksonville has poured a lot of money into trying to build a team that resembles, well, what Philadelphia has had the past five seasons. They have the big names, but they haven’t had the chemistry. Whether it’s been due to the big egos with some of the best talent at every position, coaching or some other factor, they haven’t been nearly the powerhouse they tried to be. Sure, they went on two game win-streak last year to get to the Arena Bowl,but have they really looked dominant outside of those games?

Philly has been consistently good, despite last week’s hiccup. You don’t earn the league’s best record without doing something right.

Jacksonville is coming off two straight wins. It’s been nearly a year to the day since Jacksonville won three or more straight games.

It’s been two years since Philadelphia lost back-to-back games. Coach Dolezel will have his team hyped up this weekend.

Jacksonville has struggled at home.

1-2 in the Shark tank so far this season. Granted, their two losses were against the Arizona Rattlers and Orlando Predators, but their one win was over the winless Portland Steele. Maybe they can’t get the same rhythm at home as they do on the road? Maybe playing in front of their home crowd has intimidated them? For what it’s worth, Philly has been 2-1 on the road this season.

Gray could add fuel to a different fire..

If it ain’t broke, why fix it? The Sharks might not have been a ‘fixed’ team, but the last two weeks had given them more hope than they have seen all season. So now they go out and sign one of the higher free agents on the list?

Gray hasn’t played in ten months, and has only had a few days to get worked into the offense.

Now, between Joe Hills, one of the league’s best wide receivers, along with Tiger Jones, Roger Jackson and even London Crawford all on the roster, where will Gray get the reps? What will the star studded roster do if adversity hits once again, and players continue to feel they aren’t getting enough snaps? The 32 year old Gray has been an outstanding player in this league, and we’ll see what he has left in the tank. I do know though that this team can’t afford another ego.

CONCERNS

Jacksonville has only cared about one game the past two years.

For as out of sync as Jacksonville’s looked under the Tommy Grady era, he and his companions have almost always gotten up for this matchup. They took three of four last season, including the conference championship. They took Philly’s home opener back in April.

Playing the team with the conference’s top record the past two seasons could be giving them extra motivation. Derrick Ross hasn’t made it a secret on social media that he wants to beat the team that didn’t want him anymore, and I’m sure Tiger gets motivated playing his former team as well.

The Sharks are clearly talented,and talent can beat anyone on any given day when they actually try. But is Jacksonville that good enough of a team to win this match again over a hungry Soul squad?

Saturday’s game could pull the Sharks right behind the Soul.

Can you believe that? For as dominating as Philly has been all season, and as much as the league has laughed at the Sharks most of the year, a Jacksonville win on Saturday would drop Philadelphia to 7-3, putting them just 1.5 games ahead of the Sharks who would advance to 5-4.

It’s crazy to think about.

But that’s why Philadelphia will probably have even more confidence heading into the shark tank.

Jacksonville is on a nice run, but this a game Philly probably wants to win just as much as any other on their remaining schedule. They realize they can tame a Sharks team that’s building their confidence and arrogance once again. A loss would put Jacksonville right back where they were before they upset Orlando last weekend, and would give the Soul the same confidence they had before the Cleveland debacle.

Teams can benefit from losses and grow stronger through them. All eyes will be on the Soul to see how they rebound from their current situation, and they might be facing the best opponent they can to get back on track.