RECAP: Daniels, Soul topple Empire to Clinch Playoff Berth
PHILADELPHIA – Entering Saturday’s contest, Albany Empire Quarterback Tommy Grady had it easy. After all, the eight-year man out of Utah hadn’t been sacked all year long thanks to strong work from his offensive line.
Of course, being surrounded by offensive weaponry like wide-outs’ Malachi Jones and Quentin Sims always help too. Clinging to a 21-20 lead in the third quarter, this was destined to be the case once again for the AFL’s first-place team, as they moved the chains efficiently all afternoon; that was until Soul linesman Sean Daniels arrived on the scene.
“Our first two series on defense, we looked bad,” Daniels said. “When we got to the locker-room at halftime, we made an emphasis to get to the Quarterback. That’s what we’ve prided ourselves on the last two games. We knew what the challenge was playing a team that hadn’t given up a sack.”
The Soul have sacked opposing Quarterbacks four times in their last two games, but for Daniels, it was a bigger moment than usual. The Temple University product had surgery to repair a ACL, MCL, and meniscus injury last year and while that weighed on him the last time the Soul and Empire met in week 3 – in a game in which Philadelphia was beaten to the tune of 57-48 – the third-year pro would not let the mental trauma of serious injury affect him again.
Photo: Mike Kruce Photography.
“Last time we played Albany, they punched me in the mouth,” Daniels said. “I took that very personal and had a chip on my shoulder. I took my knee brace off and told myself ‘if you’re at 100 percent you need to play like it.’ From then on, my play progressed further and further until the product you saw on the field today with our entire defensive line.”
Daniels’ sack swung the momentum for Philadelphia, as Grady was intercepted the play after by defensive back Torez Jones to give the ball to Philadelphia on their own 16-yard line. On first down, Soul QB Dan Raudabaugh connected with Jordan Williams before he was quickly tackled at the Albany 15-yard line. One play later, Dan Raudabaugh went to Darius Prince in the end zone who hauled in the pass for his third touchdown reception of the night. The Soul would never give the lead back after that and continued to do what each unit of the team has done well all year long; feed off each other.
Photo: Mike Kruce Photography.
“You can’t have one without the other,” head coach Clint Dolezel said. “We got two stops in the third quarter and we scored really fast after those. Anytime you can hold Albany scoreless in a quarter, you got a shot because their only weakness – if they have one – is their secondary.”
The Soul would outscore Albany 34-22 in the second half and from there it was an impressive showing from Raudabaugh and company, as the nine-year veteran hit four different receivers and hurled seven touchdowns. However, Raudabaugh felt that there’s room for improvement, as the team has loftier goals than just getting into the playoffs.
“We still fouled up some things too much for our liking,” Raudabaugh said. “We got some young guys out there that we are asking a lot of, but guys stepped up and made timely plays. Prince got it started before the game even started – lit a little fire under everyone and that’s what it’s about.”
Photo: Mike Kruce Photography.
Since pulling his “own card” after the week 7 loss to Washington, Darius Prince has been a model of consistency for the Soul, collecting five touchdowns for 205 yards, which includes his seven catch, 91-yard performance this week. However – as Raudabaugh alluded to in his presser – the Penn State-Beaver product’s impact began before kick-off.
“In the locker-room, before we came out, I was digging into guys asking them to be better and telling them to do their assignment. We know what we’re capable of and we pick each other up and we go out there and play.”
With the win, the Soul improves to 6-4 on the season and even up the all-time series against the Empire at 3-3. Next week, Philadelphia heads to Atlantic City for the first time in franchise history to face the Blackjacks.
Sean Daniels on the fan support in the playoff-clinching victory: “That’s the ninth man. The fan support is half the battle. Our fans get loud and rowdy, we’re Philadelphia that’s what we do. With Temple, the Soul, Philly is football for me.”
Clint Dolezel on passing Jay Gruden for sole possession of seventh all-time on the AFL’s coaching wins list: “You have to be around a long time and have to have great players around you. If I keep coaching, those are going to add up and if I keep having good players they’ll add up. They go hand in hand.”
Dan Raudabaugh on Darius Prince and BJ Bunn: “We got playmakers and I’m not afraid to throw to any of them. Our play is rising, and they are a big part of it.”
Darius Prince on the offense feeding off the defense: “That’s what happens in any team sport. One side of the ball picks it up and the other side of the ball has no choice to follow suit.”
All Photos: Mike Kruce Photography.
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