Soul pull plug on Power in record-setting performance

PITTSBURGH  – In another record-setting night, the  Philadelphia Soul (2-0), led by Donovan Morgan, defeat the Pittsburgh Power (1-1),  84-59,  in front of 7,094 fans on Friday night.

The 84 points by the Soul were the most in franchise history.

“We really didn’t have enough game balls to hand out tonight,” said Soul head coach Doug Plank.  “This team has that ‘bounce back’ characteristic that winning team have.  I really like how this team has come together and its ability to fight through adversity.”

Morgan, who was named the National Guard MVP, Offensive Player of the Game and AFL Playmaker of the Game, led the team with 12 receptions for 112 yards and four touchdowns.  Derrick Ross had nine carries for 35 yards and three rushing touchdowns in addition to a 16-yard scoring reception, while Tiger Jones had three receptions for 56 yards and one touchdown.

Philadelphia quarterback Dan Raudabaugh finished by connecting on 19-of-29 passes for 207 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions.

Pittsburgh quarterback Bill Stull led the Power by connecting 26-of-42 passes for 299 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions.  Wide receiver Randy Hymes was Pittsburgh’s leading receiver with seven receptions for 112 yards and two touchdowns.  Mike Washington added nine receptions for 80 yards and two touchdowns, while Tyre Young led in rushing yards with five carries for a gain of 23 yards.

Philadelphia started the scoring on their first drive when Raudabaugh found Morgan on a 6-yard scoring pass to take a 7-0 lead with the successful field goal by Phil Marfuggi.  Following a Pittsburgh touchdown by Washington and a failed kick by Collin Wagner, Pittsburgh recovered their own kick off bringing the score to 12-7 with another failed kick by Wagner. Morgan received a 12-yard scoring pass from Raudabaugh and Pittsburgh replied with a 5-yard scoring run by Young bringing the first quarter to end with Philadelphia trailing 19-14.

Second quarter scoring began with a 16-yard pass from Raudabaugh to Derrick Ross.  Morgan scored again and Pittsburgh was able to score twice, including a 27-yard pass from Stull to Hymes. Ross finished what he started, ending the quarter with a 2-yard run bringing the first half to a close with the Soul leading 41-33.

The Soul maintained the lead throughout the third quarter. After a 30-yard pass from Raudabaugh to Jones, the Soul recovered their own kick off, regaining a possession that resulted in a 12-yard touchdown pass to Larry Brackins.  Justin Parrish of the Power scored on a 40-yard fumble recovery, but Kent Richardson replied by recovering a blocked kick and running the length of the field for a touchdown that ended the third quarter with the Soul leading 57-53.

Morgan started off the fourth quarter with a 30-yard scoring reception. Pittsburg’s Lonnell Dewalt gained Pittsburgh’s final points with a 9-yard reception, followed by three more Philadelphia touchdowns including an onside kick return for a touchdown by Michaeux Robinson and a 37-yard interception return by Joe Goosby.

The Soul will face the Cleveland Gladiators in the 2012 home opener next Sunday night at 8 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.  The game can be heard on 950 ESPN Radio.