Soul Overcome Columbus
18 Jun 07
For the first time in what seems like forever, the Philadelphia Soul defeated the Columbus Destroyers in Philly.
With Cbus up 47-41 to start the final quarter Columbus QB Matt Nagy tossed a seven yard TD to David Saunders. A two possession game (53-41) at that point the Destroyers wisely went for two and the chance was fumbled away.
Columbus kicker Peter Martinez dropped one short to Kevin Gaines who returned the ball 19 yards to the Soul 22. Two completions (and several incompletes) later Soul WR Larry Brackins was in for his fourth touchdown of the night. Todd France's PAT kick put the Soul within 7 (53-48).
With over ten minutes left on the clock the Soul needed a stop. The defense had done little to slow the Columbus offense thanks to some myopic zebras. Oddly enough on third and ten a holding call on Soul LB Idris Price gave Columbus a new set of downs. Following a Nagy incompletion Soul defensive back Eddie Moten grabbed an interception and returned it 27 yards before Nagy forced him to fumble it away.
The Destroyers would drive all the way back to the Philly 17 before Nagy threw his second interception. This time to a diving Mike Brown at the 8.
53 seconds left on the clock... an enternity in the AFL. Somehow a nine yard pass to Jerrian James ate 14 seconds off the clock and the Soul called a time out at their own 17. On the next play a Philadelphia holding penalty negated a 21 yard gain and James' earlier catch. Completions to James and WR Charles Pauley would bring the Soul to the Destroyers redzone. Two plays later Destroyer Jerald Brown, covering Larry Brackins, was called for pass interference.
Half the distance to the goal, 10 seconds remaining, plenty of time to find Charles Pauley for the score and the lead (53-56). An illegal block on Josh Harris cut the Columbus return in half and with four seconds left Peter Martinez trotted out to attempt a 59 yard field goal to force overtime.
Martinez's miss was downed at the 5 as time expired.
The win ends Philadelphia's 4 game losing streak against Columbus, puts them ahead of Columbus in the standings, and secures a playoff spot.
Next up, the Orlando Predators come to town.
