Saturday’s win cherished some revenge over the Cleveland Gladiators for last month’s loss, while setting historic performances for their quarterback in the Philadelphia Soul’s 83-62 win over their heated rival.
Dan Raudabaugh’s eighth passing touchdown with 50 seconds remaining not only reached the Soul offense to a season-high and shut down a late Gladiators rally, but it was also the 600th of his six-year career in the AFL, five years of which were played in the baby blue Soul jerseys.
In fact, Raudabaugh only had one incompletion the entire night against the Gladiators, completing 20 of his 21 passes for 335 yards. Darius Reynolds brought in three receiving touchdowns, and Jermaine Richardson rushed for three touchdowns as well.
It was a great night for Raudabaugh and his Soul squad, who believe it or not dominated the match over their former division rivals more than the score indicated.
The revenge was important, as one month ago the Gladiators upset the Soul to keep Philly from extending a than first place lead in the league. Since than, the Soul have lost to the Arizona Rattlers, which pushed Philly (11-3) to third place, behind the Orlando Predators (12-2) and the Rattlers (11-3).
With both teams ahead of the Soul squeaking out close wins against lesser opponents Saturday night, it was great to see the Soul look dominating once again with two games and a bye week remaining before the playoffs. The teams get to play each other in their next matchup, so a Philly win over the last place Tampa Bay Storm would put them in second place.
While the Soul have clinched home field for at least the opening round of the playoffs, it has been confirmed that due to the Democratic National Convention taking place at the Wells Fargo Center, Philly will be forced to host the playoffs at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where they just beat down the Gladiators this past weekend.
If the playoffs began today, the Soul would host the L.A. Kiss for a third matchup, which they swept in the regular season. However, if they finish with a second seed, which they have a good chance of sitting in after their match against the Storm, they would be hosting...the last place Storm.
The most action for the Soul this upcoming week might be taking place off the Tampa field and more out west in Arizona.
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