RECAP: Soul Walk the Walk in 54-29 Rout of Blackjacks
PHILADELPHIA – In a game with significant playoff implications, the Philadelphia Soul erupted early and never looked back in a 54-29 victory over the Atlantic City Blackjacks on Sunday.
Good thing too, as players and coaches alike deemed it a must-win game after an embarrassing loss to Washington in week 7. With their backs against the wall, the team delivered on both sides of the football in undoubtedly their most complete game of the season.
“We’ve been prepping all week,” fullback Adrian Ferns said. “Being able to transfer the actual film into the game? That’s all it was.”
Adrian Ferns powering through the contact. Mike Kruce Photography.
The Soul jumped out to an early lead and never relinquished it after starting their night with a methodical 6-play, 40-yard drive on the team’s opening possession that ended with the modest Ferns galloping into the end-zone with a head of momentum for the touchdown. Ferns – the second year-pro out of Chowan – would hit pay dirt two more times on the day and match his career-high in touchdowns. At 6’1’’ and 245 pounds, head coach Clint Dolezel plans to call his number plenty in short-yardage situations.
“It’s tough to throw when you get in that close,” Dolezel said. “We did a good job with the bigs up front, as far as getting some scoops and edges and Ferns made it look easy out there. It’s what they gave us – and what we gave ourselves by putting ourselves at the 1-yard line – so we’ll just take what they give us.”
If the offense was taking what was given, the defense didn’t give Atlantic City an inch, as the contest wasn’t just all about offensive firepower for the Soul. The Philadelphia defense forced three turnovers on downs on the day, along with three sacks (two by Thomas Dover and one by Sean Daniels), and an interception from Dwayne Hollis.
Dwayne Hollis secures the interception. Mike Kruce Photography.
“We’re a pretty good second half team,” Hollis said. “If we get started early, it could get ugly. We got a good locker-room and practice was energetic all week; we’re still being ourselves – flying around, not being too serious. We knew we just needed to come out here and get it done.”
Entering the third quarter with a 27-14 lead, Philadelphia quickly added more points after diving on a live ball on the second-half kickoff. On the ensuing play, Quarterback Dan Raudabaugh floated a dime to receiver Lonnie Outlaw for the 1-yard touchdown, as the team refused to take their foot off the pedal. Rested in the fourth quarter, Raudabaugh posted a gaudy stat line, going 15-for-18 with 138 yards and three touchdowns. This was pivotal for the team and for Raudabaugh personally, as he was one of the veterans put under the microscope by head coach Clint Dolezel after the week 7 debacle.
Dan Raudabaugh looks to hit Jordan Williams in stride. Mike Kruce Photography.
“We wanted to get on track again,” Raudabaugh said. “We corrected some things and stayed out of third and fourth downs with just taking what they were giving us with a couple along the wall early and manipulating some motions with hot routes. I am proud of our guys. Everyone brought their lunch pail to work after a tough game last week and I think their play reflected that today.”
With the win, Philadelphia improved to 4-4 on the season and clinched the tiebreaker over Atlantic City for those keeping track at home. The win also pulls Clint Dolezel within two wins of Jay Gruden for seventh all-time on the AFL’s coaching wins list.
Clint Dolezel on rookie wideouts BJ Bunn and Jordan Williams: “There only going to get better and are going to learn a lot from each other. Once Bunn, Jordan [Williams], and Dan [Raudabaugh] get on the same page with that deep stuff, we’ll be tough again.”
Dan Raudabaugh on Adrian Ferns as a teammate: “I love Adrian. I can’t say enough about how well he’s doing. His attitude is always team first and I wouldn’t want anyone else back there with me.”
Dwayne Hollis on how he came up with his interception: “It was just instinctive how they were setting up their routes and I just jumped it. The Quarterback threw it and I beat him to the spot and made a play.”
Adrian Ferns on the defense’s stingy effort: “We want that every week. If we get that every week, we’re definitely going to the Arena Bowl. That’s all I got to say.”
All Photos: Mike Kruce Photography
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