RECAP: BJ Bunn’s Big Day Powers Soul to 47-35 Win
Next man up.
It’s a philosophy shared by many teams and preached by many coaches. No matter what strange bounce derives during a season, good teams know the importance of sticking together through adversity.
The Soul know this well.
Entering Saturday night’s game, Philadelphia had been on a three-game losing streak. To make matters worse, they lost talented wide-out Aaron Wascha to a PCL strain in Baltimore last week too. It was apparent that someone needed to step up. So, enter BJ Bunn.
“Aaron’s a big contributor to the Soul,” said Bunn. “Our first game in, Reynolds, Outlaw and Wascha took me under their wing which is good because they’re good vets in the league. I got lucky playing for the Soul.”
BJ Bunn celebrates one of his two touchdowns with PhillipKeith Manley. Mike Kruce Photography
Bunn – a rookie out of UNC Pembroke – found the end zone twice and was the high man for Philadelphia in receiving with 94 reception yards in the win. The 24-year-old undoubtedly left an impression on both his teammates and coaches, but most notably Quarterback Dan Raudabaugh and head coach Clint Dolezel.
“He’s a play-maker and he didn’t miss a beat,” Raudabaugh said. “He’s a kid that rolls with the punches and knows how to play the even-keeled. We were happy to see that tonight”
Coach Dolezel echoed similar sentiments to his quarterback and although Bunn remains one of the youngest players in the Soul’s wide receiver’s corps, Dolezel believes in his ability moving forward.
“We’ve been waiting on that from BJ, but he hasn’t really had a lot of opportunity with the guys we have in front of him,” Dolezel said. “We know that his ‘YAC’ yards are as good as they come in the league, but no ones really got a chance to see it. Tonight, they did so we’re expecting great things from BJ.”
James Romain looks to turn up field. Mike Kruce Photography
While Bunn excelled in the second half of the game, it was the work of the Soul’s defense that set the tone to open the game. James Romain returned an errant Grant Russell pass 26 yards for his third pick six of the season in the opening quarter. Torez Jones came up with an interception of his own in the second quarter, but his play-making wouldn’t end there. Jones striped Columbus receiver Julian Lowe in a pivotal moment in the third quarter before Darius “money” Reynolds – a wide out by trade – lined up at jack linebacker and recovered the fumble. All the little things added up for the Soul in one they needed to have.
Torez Jones goes up for the interception. Mike Kruce Photography
“We were in a combo and it actually wasn’t my guy,” Jones said of the momentum changing play. “With having so many veterans and guys that have been together for so long, I know if I broke on [Lowe] that Romain would cover me up. So, once he caught it, I was just trying to take his head off.”
Now back in the win column, the Soul kick-off four of five games at Wells Fargo Center and will look to build some momentum as they head down the stretch drive.
“We just have to keep it rolling,” Reynolds said. “Coach is one of the best in the league – he prepares us well – it’s about us going out there executing and believing.”
Darius Reynolds will be relied on heavily. He is expected to play wide receiver and linebacker the rest of the season. Mike Kruce Photography
With the win, the Soul avoided their first four-game losing streak under Clint Dolezel and improve to 3-3 on the season and 7-4 all-time against the Destroyers. Dolezel reached an AFL milestone as well, as he passed Steve Thonn for sole possession of eighth all-time in most coaching wins.
Clint Dolezel on Darius Reynolds’ ability to play both sides of the ball: “Money’s a weapon. There are so many little things that he does out there on the defensive side at jack that the naked eye can’t see.”
Torez Jones on the defense’s mentality: “We know we are the best defense in the league. We just needed to start going out and playing like it. We feel like were the heart and soul of the team.”
Dan Raudabaugh on the Soul’s three-game slide: “We lost those games in three different fashions. Albany played their tightest game of the year. We lost a squeaker to Washington on the last play, then we kind of went to bed against Baltimore so this week we are looking for a way to win one. We rallied hard.”
Darius Reynolds on James Romain’s ball-hawking ability: “Anytime our defense needs a play it’s usually Romain. It’s always fun watching him with the ball in his hands; you know he’s trying to score. It’s impressive.”
BJ Bunn on his leaping/diving touchdown grab: “It was a sail and go and I figured the wall was right there, but I tried to mentally block that out. I just went up for it and tried to catch it at the highest point.”
All Photos: Mike Kruce Photography
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