Week 13 Preview Pittsburgh Power vs Philadelphia Soul
Thursday June 13, 2013
CONSOL Energy Center – Pittsburgh, PA – 7:00 pm EDT
TV: thisTV Pittsburgh
Radio: TribLIVE Radio SportsTalk
Live Stream: AFL Access
All-Time Series: Philadelphia leads 3-2
THE GAME
The Pittsburgh Power (3-8) host the division-leading and defending American Conference Champion Philadelphia Soul (6-5) this Saturday, June 15 at CONSOL Energy Center.
The two teams met during Week 8 at the Wells Fargo Center with the Power upsetting the Soul, 53-48. Power wide receiver Mike Washington earned both the Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game and Cutters Catch of the Game honors after his impressive 8 catches for 141 yards and 4 touchdowns on the field.
The Soul celebrated their second home win of the season last week against the New Orleans VooDoo, 65-56. Philadelphia was down 56-55 with just 5 seconds remaining in the game when Soul fullback Derrick Ross carried the ball into the end zone for the winning touchdown.
POWER TO WATCH | OFFENSE
Passing: Leading the Power’s offense are quarterbacks Steven Sheffield and Derek Cassidy. Last week, Cassidy headed Pittsburgh’s offensive efforts against the SaberCats completing 20 passes for 281 yards and 6 touchdowns. Cassidy also recorded 1 rushing touchdown. Sheffield’s debut game in a Pittsburgh uniform was against the Soul on May 11. Sheffield has thrown for 1,069 yards and 21 touchdowns, completing 60.4% of his passes in 4 games.
Receiving: Power wide receiver Mike Washington leads the team in all receiving statistics. Washington has amassed 993 yards on 92 catches and 20 touchdowns for a team high 138 points. Wide receiver Julian Talley has also chipped in with 23 catches for 271 yards and 6 touchdowns in 3 games.
SOUL TO WATCH | OFFENSE
Passing: At the front of Philadelphia’s offense is 3-year AFL veteran quarterback, Dan Raudabaugh, who has completed 67.2% of his passes for 3,162 yards and 59 touchdowns. Raudabaugh is No. 3 in the AFL in passing.
Receiving: Soul wide receivers Anthony Jones and Andrae Thurman head Philadelphia’s receiving stats. Jones, a 4-year AFL veteran, leads the League with 1,481 yards on 99 catches with 25 touchdowns and 164 points. Thurman has chipped in with 70 catches for 648 yards and 6 touchdowns. Carrying the ball for the Soul is fullback Derrick Ross who is No. 2 in the AFL in rushing with 93 carries for 297 yards and 25 touchdowns.
POWER TO WATCH | DEFENSE
Defense: Winning Arena Football League Week 12 AFL Highlight of the Week honors, Power defensive back Sergio Gilliam is leading Pittsburgh’s defense with a team high 60 tackles, which ranks him third in the League. Gilliam has also recorded 14 pass breakups and a team high 4 interceptions, including his fourth quarter interception last week against the SaberCats with a 46 yard touchdown return and to tie the game, 54-54. Also adding to Pittsburgh’s defensive efforts are jack linebacker Alvin Ray Jackson (51 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 interception) and defensive back Chris LeFlore (44.5 tackles, 10 pass breakups, 1 interception, and 2 fumble recoveries).
SOUL TO WATCH | DEFENSE
Defense: Defensive back Rayshaun Kizer leads Philadelphia’s defense with a team high 51.5 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 14 pass breakups. JAC linebacker Joe Goosby (47.5 tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 interceptions) and defensive back LaRico Stevenson (47 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 10 pass breakups) have also added to Philadelphia’s D.
POWER TO WATCH | SPECIAL TEAMS
Kick Returns: Defensive back Chris LeFlore leads Pittsburgh’s special teams with 36 kickoffs for 671 return yards and 1 touchdown. LeFlore’s 56-yard return for a touchdown in the Week 10 victory against the Cleveland Gladiators contributed to him earning AFL MVP of the Week honors.
SOUL TO WATCH | SPECIAL TEAMS
Kick Returns: Leading the Soul on special teams is defensive back and former Power player LaRico Stevenson, who has recorded 362 yards on 28 returns for Philadelphia.
UP NEXT
Next Saturday, June 22, the Power travel to the Amway Center in Orlando, FL, to take on the Orlando Predators. Kickoff is 7:00 pm EDT and will be broadcast on TribLIVE Radio Sports Talk and aired on thisTV Pittsburgh. The two teams previously met on May 4 at CONSOL Energy Center with the Predators winning, 52-38, in Aaron Garcia’s Orlando debut.
For continuous updates of players, games, and Power news follow the team on social media @AFLPittsburgh. For live in-game updates follow @PowerGameday.
