Led by the outstanding rushing performance of FB Derrick Ross, who finished with a team-record 6 touchdowns on 12 carries, the Soul were able to take the defending Arena Bowl champs to overtime in Arizona in their season opener. It wasn't quite enough though, as Arizona outplayed Philadelphia in overtime and sealed the deal with an interception on the Soul's first drive. The final score was 62-55 Rattlers.
Rattlers vs. Soul is quickly becoming the AFL's best rivalry. The past 2 Arena Bowl's saw the Soul fall to the Rattlers and it wouldn't crazy to think that this season will end with the 2 teams meeting for the third time in the Arena Bowl. Couple that with the fact that instability causes many teams to fold and new ones to spring up each season and this may soon be the longest running rivalry in the league.
While Philadelphia favored the run, Arizona dominated the aerial attack this game. QB Nick Davila finished with 338 passing yards on 25-of-41 passes for 7 TD's. One of those TD's was a 14-yarder to (somewhat hilarious named) Tyson Poots in overtime that would become the game-winner. It was Poots' 4th TD of the game. He finished with 191 receiving yards. (Also somewhat hilariously named) Maurice Purify added 111 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Arizona's Jeremy Kellem (Riddell Defensive Player of the Game) intercepted Soul QB Dan Raudabaugh's pass on their first drive of OT to seal the game. Raudabaugh finished the game with 2 passing TD's, 266 passing yards and 1 interception on 22-of-35 passes.
Anthony 'Tiger' Jones was the leading receiver for the Soul with 9 receptions for 101 yards and 1 TD. Ryan McDaniel pitched in with 69 yards and a TD on 5 receptions. Rookie V'Keon Lacey had 67 yards on 4 receptions.
The loss puts the Soul at 0-1, but it doesn't hurt them much in their division. Every other team except the Cleveland Gladiators lost, so have Cleveland at 1-0 and Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Iowa all at 0-1.
The Soul start this season by playing 4 games on the road. The always strong San Jose Sabercats, the team the Soul beat for their 2008 AFL Championship, await them next weekend for an 8:00 pm EST game. It can be seen on ESPN3.
-Ben Lebo
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
While Philadelphia favored the run, Arizona dominated the aerial attack this game. QB Nick Davila finished with 338 passing yards on 25-of-41 passes for 7 TD's. One of those TD's was a 14-yarder to (somewhat hilarious named) Tyson Poots in overtime that would become the game-winner. It was Poots' 4th TD of the game. He finished with 191 receiving yards. (Also somewhat hilariously named) Maurice Purify added 111 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Arizona's Jeremy Kellem (Riddell Defensive Player of the Game) intercepted Soul QB Dan Raudabaugh's pass on their first drive of OT to seal the game. Raudabaugh finished the game with 2 passing TD's, 266 passing yards and 1 interception on 22-of-35 passes.
Anthony 'Tiger' Jones was the leading receiver for the Soul with 9 receptions for 101 yards and 1 TD. Ryan McDaniel pitched in with 69 yards and a TD on 5 receptions. Rookie V'Keon Lacey had 67 yards on 4 receptions.
The loss puts the Soul at 0-1, but it doesn't hurt them much in their division. Every other team except the Cleveland Gladiators lost, so have Cleveland at 1-0 and Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Iowa all at 0-1.
The Soul start this season by playing 4 games on the road. The always strong San Jose Sabercats, the team the Soul beat for their 2008 AFL Championship, await them next weekend for an 8:00 pm EST game. It can be seen on ESPN3.
-Ben Lebo
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
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