Philadelphia Hopes to Defeat Predators for Third Time this Season

By: Gabrielle Lacherza

Special to the Philadelphia Soul

PHILADELPHIA (June 11, 2015) – The Philadelphia Soul (10-1) look to keep their best start in franchise history going in Week 12. The Soul have defeated the Predators in the first two meetings this season. The Soul face the Orlando Predators (6-5) for the third time this season back in Orlando. The game will be played on Saturday, June 13th at 7:00 p.m. at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.  

A big second half comeback gave the Philadelphia Soul a 62-41 victory over the New Orleans VooDoo on Saturday night. This week the Soul defense will need to stop QB Bernard Morris. In Week 7 against the Soul, Bernard Morris stepped in as QB and completed 21-of-40 passes for 213-yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. Morris is second in the League in rushing yards with 186 for the season.

The first match-up to look for in the game is Soul DB James Romain up against the Orlando offense. Romain is second in the League in interceptions with nine for the season. He was the Riddell Defensive Player of the Game in both meetings this season. LaRico Stevenson will also be a key defensive component against Orlando. In the second meeting he had 6.0 tackles against Orlando and leads the Soul with 54.5 total tackles for the season.

Philadelphia’s entire defense should keep an eye on Kendall and Brandon Thompkins who are the top two receivers for Orlando. Last game, Brandon Thompkins led the Predator receivers with eight receptions for 69-yards and one touchdown. Larry Brackins also did damage last game and added four catches for 42-yards and two touchdowns.

The Soul’s offense should prove to be a bit of a challenge for the Predators. The next match-up to definitely keep an eye out for is Soul WR Marco Thomas up against Orlando’s secondary. Thomas leads the Soul with 93 receptions for 1110 yards for the season and is ranked third in the League for receiving yards. He was the J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game in Week 7 against the Predators with 10 catches for 159 yards and three touchdowns. Shaun Kauleinamoku had a standout performance in Week 7 against the Predators, adding six catches for 111 yards and three touchdowns.

Soul QB Dan Raudabaugh has been named the Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the game during both meetings this season. Last time the two teams faced off, he finished the night by completing 22-of-35 passes for 323-yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions.
In Week 13, the Soul will travel to the West Coast for their inaugural meeting against the Los Angeles Kiss on Saturday, June 20th at the Honda Center. Kick off will be at 10:00 p.m and the game will be broadcast on ESPN2.