ORLANDO (April 9, 2011) – A late interception by Orlando Predators (3-1) defensive lineman Paul Griffin led to the drive that gave them the 53-46 victory over the Philadelphia Soul (1-3) in front of 11,789 fans on Saturday night at the Amway Center. The Soul, who are on a three-game losing streak, were outscored 35-19 in the second half.
“We continue to make the same mistakes and turn the ball over,” said Soul head coach Mike Hohensee. “You are not going to win the close games when you continue to give the other team the opportunity to come back.”
Philadelphia quarterback, Ryan Vena finished by connecting on 16-of-26 passes for 263 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Leading the receiving corps for the Soul was Donovan Morgan with seven receptions for 156 yards and three touchdowns, while Syvelle Newton had six receptions for 86 yards and Larry Brackins added three catches for 21 yards and a touchdown.
Philadelphia’s Tanner Varner, who was named Riddell Defensive Player of the Game, had nine total tackles and two interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown. Philadelphia’s Mike Brown had seven total tackles and 118 return yards to earn him JLS Ironman of the Game.
Philadelphia used rushing to get things started when Vena scored on a 32-yard rush for a 7-0 lead. Orlando answered Nick Hill found T.T. Toliver from four yards out for a score, but missed the extra point, 7-6. Vena then found Larry Brackins on a 9-yard scoring strike to make it 14-6. Bobby Sippio hauled in a 10-yard touchdown to end the first quarter with the Soul leading 14-12.
Vena added his second rushing touchdown when his six-yard score gave the Soul a 21-12 lead to start the second quarter. Soul continued to keep momentum in their favor when Tanner Varner returned an interception 36 yards for a 27-12 lead. Orlando’s Bobby Sippio scored a 17-yard pass to end the first half with Soul 27-18.
After both teams failed to score on their first second-half possessions, Orlando back-up QB Collin Drafts came in to throw a touchdown to Toliver on an 11-yard score. The Soul countered when Vena hit Morgan on 42-yard touchdown, giving the Soul a 34-25 lead. Orlando ended the third quarter when Toliver pulled in a seven-yard pass to narrow the score to 34-32.
Soul started the fourth with a 39-yard touchdown pass from Vena to Morgan, but a missed extra point made the score 40-32. Hill answered by finding Sippio in the end zone from 11 yards out to narrow the score to 40-39 with 7:55 remaining in the game.
After trading scores and the Soul held a 46-45 lead and possession of the ball, Orlando’s Griffin intercepted a Vena screen pass and gave the Predators opportunity to march down for the winning score.
Orlando’s James Lynch went in untouched from three yards out and Hill hit Toliver for the two-point conversion and the final score of the game, 53-46.
The Soul will have their home opener Presented by 1-800 LUNDY LAW against the Tampa Bay Storm on April 15 at 8 p.m. in Wells Fargo Center. The game will also be shown on NFL Network.
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