Orlando Preys on Phill
The wild ride that was the 2006 Philadelphia Soul season came to end on the final play of Sunday's 31-27 Divisional Playoff loss.
The 58 total points was the lowest in Soul history. In a game that featured outstanding defensive efforts by both teams, for nearly 57 grueling minutes, the Soul either led or was tied with the National Conference second seed Predators.
With just over 3 minutes to play a 30 yard scoring strike from Joe Hamilton to Jimmy Fryzel gave Orlando their first lead of the game. The PAT and ensuing kickoff left the Soul, now down by 4 points, 2:21 to play and starting at their own 5 yard line. Soul QB Tony Graziani's first pass, hurried by Orlando Mack LB Moye-Moore, fell incomplete. His second Steve Smith was unable to hold onto after breaking his route too soon. With 1:00 rules in effect Graziani hit Smith for a 21 yard gain and a first down. A quick hit to Sean Scott for seven more yards was followed by another Moye-Moore hurry forcing an incomplete pass attempt to Rob Milanese. Milanese did snag the next pass, picking up 10 yards and a first down at the Orlando 7.
The Soul then burned their final timeout with fourteen seconds left to play. Another Milanese catch brought the Soul to the Orlando 3 yard line. On the next play, while working through his read progressions, Graziani attempted to side step pressure from Orlando DL Greg White. Orlando's other tackle Henry Taylor sacked Graziani knocking the ball loose. Soul FB Wes Ours alertly fell on the ball retaining possession for the Soul. However, with no timeouts the Soul could not stop the clock and time expired leaving the Soul with the bittersweet taste of almost to linger until next season.
Orlando continues on, heading to Dallas for the National Conference Championship game against the top seeded Deperados.
In the end expanded playoff format did little as only one team (the American Conference fifth seed Chicago Rush) remains in the hunt for the Arenabowl title.
And those not at the game got to witness NBC jamming AFL fans with complete coverage of senior's golf before going to the game late in the second quarter.
