Soul Captured Under VooDoo Spell
Jason Moyer
Tuesday February 22, 2005
From the opening kickoff, the VooDoo appeared to have a magic charm working for them. The ball clanged off the upright, was briefly possessed by Rob Milanese, before being recovered by New Orleans. The Soul defense held and Brian Schmitz had to kick a field goal for a 3-0 VooDoo lead. However, losing the opening possession essentially gave New Orleans control of both the first and second halves.
Things looked even worse for the Soul on their first drive. Graziani misfired on his first three pass attempts and was sacked on fourth down turning the ball over. New Orleans could have gone ahead by ten, but Chris ‘Soul Train’ Ryan dropped back to cover the tight end and made an incredible leaping interception to keep the game close.
Graziani and Kelly then caught fire exchanging touchdown passes on the next eight drives to light up the scoreboard. The Soul trailed 30-28 heading into the one-minute timing rules in effect. Derek Schorejs missed a field goal before the teams again swapped scores. New Orleans led 37-34 and would receive the ball to begin the second half.
New Orleans took the second-half kickoff and scored on a Leroy Thompson scamper into the end zone. Thompson then performed a ‘burial’ celebration, but Arkee Thompson of Philadelphia lifted the imaginary body out of the grave in an effort to motivate his team.
Apparently, it did not help.
Graziani, under pressure, threw his first interception on the following drive. Lamont Moore, who made the interception, quickly capitalized for the VooDoo giving them their largest lead, 51-34.
The teams swapped touchdowns on the next three possessions. Philadelphia scored two of the three closing the gap to 58-47. The Soul defense then made their only stop of the second half to provide an opportunity to get back in the game. However, Monty Montgomery made a one handed interception on the very next play, essentially ending the game. Schmitz added his second field goal ending the scoring at 61-47.
Inside the game:
Graziani and Steve Smith continue to be on the same wavelength connecting eight times for 145 yards and four touchdowns.
Rob Milanese made his first start for the injured Terrill Shaw. Milanese looked uneasy catching only two passes for 27 yards.
The Soul defense was unable to put pressure on Kelly throughout the game. The Soul have recorded only one sack on the season through four games.
Philadelphia is now 2-9 in eleven road games in the franchises history.
Looking ahead:
Philadelphia (2-2) returns to the Wachovia Center to take on the Dallas Desperados (3-1) next week. The building should be filled with energy for a Philadelphia/Dallas football contest. Even owner Jon Bon Jovi was caught in the emotion wearing a ‘Dallas Sucks’ t-shirt, last season. The game takes on more importance this year since each division winner will make the playoffs. Game time is 3:00 pm (ET) and can be seen live on NBC Sports or heard on News Talk 990 am WNTP-Philadelphia.
Jason Moyer is an elementary school teacher in the western New Jersey area. He is an avid follower of the Arena Football League and has been covering the Philadelphia Soul with ArenaFan.com since 2005. Jason resides in Whitehall, PA with his wife and daughter.
