Soul destroy Georgia Force

DULUTH, Ga.  – The Philadelphia Soul (3-1) used a total team effort – offense, defense and special teams – in Saturday night’s 92-42 victory over the Georgia Force (2-2) in front of 3,868 fans at the Gwinnett Center.

“This was a tremendous team effort,” said Soul head coach Doug Plank.  “We, as a coaching staff, challenged the team at the beginning of the week to come out and make a ‘statement’ about how we play as a team.  Collectively, our guys stepped up and came out to play tonight.”

The Soul’s victory was highlighted by National Guard MVP and Riddell Defensive Player of the Game, Joe Goosby, who had two interception return touchdowns, 3.5 total tackles and a forced fumble at the goal line that prevented a score. Soul fullback Derrick Ross, who earned JLS Ironman of the Game, set the Soul single-game rushing record with 74 yards on 13 carries and three rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown.

Philadelphia quarterback Dan Raudabaugh, who earned Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game honors, finished by connecting on 16-of-20 passes for 272 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions.  AFL Playmaker of the Game, Tiger Jones, led the receivers with 10 receptions for 180 yards and three touchdowns.  Emery Sammons had six receptions for 85 yards and two touchdowns in his season debut.  Jeff Hughley added three receptions for 23 yards and Larry Brackins had a 10-yard touchdown.

Defensively, Dustin Barno had a sack and a safety, while Dusty Bear added his first sack of the season. Rayshaun Kizer added 3.5 total tackles and an interception return for a touchdown.

Georgia’s RJ Archer led the Force by connecting 11-of-28 passes for 107 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.  Wide receiver Brandon McRae had six receptions for 57 yards and three touchdowns.

Raudabaugh got the Soul offense started when he connected with Sammons on a 33-yard touchdown completion and a 7-0 lead.  On Georgia’s first offensive play, Goosby stepped into the passing lane and intercepted Archer, returning it for a 5-yard touchdown and a 14-0 Soul advantage.  The Soul finished the first quarter with a 21-7 lead.

Force started the second quarter when Archer found C.J. Johnson on a 5-yard touchdown to narrow the score to 21-14.  Raudabaugh responded by connecting with Sammons again for a 15-yard touchdown.  The Soul then captured momentum when Goosby, again, returned an interception for his second touchdown of the game and gave the Soul a 42-21 advantage.  The Soul took a 56-28 halftime lead.

The Soul continued the domination by outscoring the Force 21-7 in the third quarter with a 38-yard touchdown reception by Tiger Jones and a pair of rushing scores by Derrick Ross. The Soul outscored the Force 15-7 in the fourth quarter and a final score of 92-42

The Soul will host the San Jose SaberCats in next weekend at the Wells Fargo Center.  The game can be heard on 950 ESPN Radio.

-courtesy of The Philadelphia Soul