PHILADELPHIA – A failed two-point conversion with 18 seconds left ended the Philadelphia Soul’s (2-3) comeback attempt as they fell to the Jacksonville Sharks (6-0) in dramatic fashion, 55-53, in front of 8,363 at the Wells Fargo Center. The Soul fought back from trailing by as many as 15 points most of the second half.
“We made too many turnovers, fumbles, false starts, things of that nature,” explained Soul head coach Clint Dolezel. “We made too many little mistakes that hurt the team tonight, but it will get better. I think overall we played a pretty good game tonight. I’m not taking it too hard, it’s just some things we need to work on.”
Tiger Jones led Philadelphia receivers with nine receptions for 148 yards and one rushing touchdown. Andrae Thurman had seven catches for 93 yards and two, while Larry Brackins recorded four receptions for 22 yards and two touchdowns. Alvance Robinson hauled in four catches for 49 yards and accounted for six kick returns for 76 yards.
Soul QB Dan Raudabaugh connected on 24-of-37 passes for 312 yards and four touchdowns.
On the ground, Derrick Ross finished the game with 38 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, his last one earning him the AFL Highlight of the Game.
Defensively, DL Bryan Robinson recorded three tackles and a sack. LB Joe Goosby had three tackles and an interception for the second straight week.
Jacksonville’s QB Bernard Morris connected on 17-of-26 passes for 219 yards and eight touchdowns. Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game Jeron Harvey led the Jacksonville receivers with five touchdowns on five catches for 56 yards. Riddell Defensive Player of the Game Tracy Belton led Jacksonville’s defensive with seven tackles, two forced-fumbles, and a fumble recovery.
The Soul put the first points on the board with a 2-yard touchdown run by FB Derrick Ross, though Jacksonville blocked the extra point. The Sharks answered back with two quick touchdowns, a 30-yard pass to WR Markee White and a 29-yard pass to WR Jeff Hughley. Philadelphia closed out the first on a 22-yard touchdown pass to WR Andrae Thurman, missing the extra point and ending the quarter 14-12.
The Sharks opened up the second half with two touchdowns on an 18-yard touchdown pass to WR Jeron Harvey and a 3-yard touchdown pass to White. Ross punched in his second touchdown on the night on a 16-yard run. LB Joe Goosby forced an interception, which set up a 3-yard touchdown pass to WR Larry Brackins, closing out the first half with Jacksonville leading 28-26.
The Sharks third quarter consisted of two touchdowns for Harvey, scoring on 3-yard and 10-yard catches. Philadelphia was able to keep the game close, with WR Tiger Jones scoring on a 2-yard rush. The third quarter ended with Jacksonville leading 42-33.
Jacksonville scored in the fourth quarter on a 23-yard touchdown catch by Harvey. The Sharks failed to convert the extra point. Philadelphia made the game a one possession game by scoring on a 7-yard pass to Thurman, making the score 48-40. Harvey scored his fifth touchdown of the night on a 2-yard pass to put the Sharks up 55-40. Philadelphia responded with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Brackins. With less than a minute remaining, Ross punched the ball in on a 1-yard touchdown run, trailing the Sharks by two. The Soul were unable to convert the two-point conversion with an incomplete pass, losing to Jacksonville 55-53.
Soul will visit the Chicago Rush on Saturday, May 4 at 8 p.m. ET at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, IL.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player: Jacksonville’s Jeron Harvey
Riddell Defensive Player: Jacksonville’s Tracey Belton
J Lewis Small AFL Playmaker: Jacksonville’s Jeff Hughley
Cutter’s Catch of the Game: Jacksonville’s Jeron Harvey’s fourth quarter touchdown
Spalding Highlight of the Game: Philadelphia’s Derrick Ross’ touchdown run with 18 seconds left
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