Awww Yeah!
13 Jul 2008 The Philadelphia Soul are the Arena Football League 2008 National Conference Champions!
The Soul defeated the Coach of the Year Mike Wilpolt and his Cleveland Gladiator team. Tearing through them like Michael Moore at a Las Vegas buffet to get one step closer to the Foster Cup.
Soul QB Matt D'Orazio, the Arena League's Most Valuable Player, threw eight touchdown passes Saturday. Add a Wes Ours rushing TD and Mike Brown's stellar 57 yard kickoff return that used the Glads Jason Ball as a human hurdle. Then season with ten Connor Hughes PATs and you have a recipe for a Soul post season scoring record.
D'Orazio completed 17 passes for 184 yards and eight touchdowns with no interceptions. WR Larry Brackins had seven catches for 92 yards and three scores. WR Brent Holmes added five receptions for 57 yards and three more TDs. AFL Offensive Player of the Year Chris Jackson registered his 100th career post-season catch and his two scores made him the Soul franchise playoff touchdown leader with six.
As impressive as the Soul offensive output was their defense was equally impressive. LB Rahemm Orr had the only sack in the game. The sacked forced a fumble that Soul DL Gabe Nyenhuis recovered. Soul DB Eddie Moten had 10 tackles, two interceptions, and two break ups.
By game's end the Soul defense had stopped the Cleveland offense an astounding five times.
Gladiators QB Raymond Philyaw had been on a roll in the post season. In the two playoff games leading to this he had 16 touchdowns and two interceptions.Saturday afternoon he was 25 of 49 for 303 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions.
Cleveland WR Robert Redd was Philyaw's favorite target, finishing with 11 receptions for 152 yards and two scores. WR Otis Amey, the AFL touchdown leader, had 9 grabs for 85 yards and 2 scores. Former Soul FB Marlion Jackson also added a rushing touchdown for Cleveland.
With the win the Soul advance to the big dance in the "Big Easy". There they will face the defending Arena Bowl champions the San Jose Sabercats.
And in keeping with the times here on PoS. A new playoff win means a new playoff wallpaper background. Enjoy.
Click the image above for the full size version.
