In a classic battle of the resistible force meeting the movable object, the Philadelphia Soul ended their six-game losing streak while extending the New Orleans Voodoo’s losing streak to four by pounding out a 78-34 victory in Week 12 of the Arena Football League season.

Star quarterback Tony Graziani returned to the lineup after missing the last four games and helped out more than just the offense.

“I feel like there was stress on the special teams and defense because the offense maybe wasn’t clicking,” declared Head Coach Bret Munsey.  “You know we were turning the ball over, so that just took the pressure off and we played much better tonight.”

Graziani finished a pedestrian seven for 15, and acknowledged that he alone was not the difference in the game.  

“Today was not me,” affirmed Graziani.  “Our defense out there, turnovers, special teams, we won all phases today and I think the offense is going to have to start picking it up if these guys are going to play like that on defense.  You can’t say enough about what they did.”

After looking as soft as micro waved butter at points during the six-game losing streak, the defense turned in their most impressive performance of the year.  They created eight total stops, five turnovers, four sacks, three touchdowns, two fumbles and one safety in leading the team to the largest margin of victory in the Soul’s four year history.

“He [Moten] and Mike Brown are fun to watch,” stated Munsey.  “Kevin Gaines is back in the lineup and there’s a little bit of confidence in experienced DB’s.  Then our up front guys, they were coming.  I mean we had a great pass rush.  We just played an all around great football game.”

For weeks, we have heard from team management and coaches that other teams have been “playing the Philadelphia ‘So’” and “we’re starting to get guys healthy”.

Well, by adding the injured reserve (IR) back to the resistible force, the Philadelphia Soul may yet be an IRresistible force heading down the stretch and into the playoffs.

Inside the Numbers

Tony Graziani (PHI) completed seven of 15 passes for 81 yards and four touchdowns.

Leon Murray (PHI) mopped up completing three passes in three attempts for two touchdowns.

Eddie Moten (PHI) intercepted two passes, returning one 50 yards for a touchdown.

Larry Brackins (PHI) caught three passes resulting in three touchdowns.

Wes Ours (PHI) rumbled five times for 19 yards and into the end zone twice.

Munsey on Soul being introduced as a team

“Me and Mr. Bon Jovi talked about that, especially with the possible pressure on Tony Graziani and all of that, so we want to come in with a team effort.  We count on twenty, thirty people.  We all contributed to us being 0-6 in our last six games, so we all need to get out of it.  It’s not one guy that’s going to take control of this thing; it’s going to be all of us.”

Munsey on avoiding a let down

“Be professionals and having right guys in the locker room.  I’m glad we won rather than loss.  It’s a lot easier to practice.”

Next Week

The Soul will travel to Austin to take on the Wranglers on Sunday, May 27th.  The game is set for a 4:05 kickoff and can be seen on Comcast Sportsnet.