Soul Unable to Climb Mountain

Jason Moyer
Sunday June 3, 2007

The Philadelphia Soul battled uphill all night only to have the Dallas Desperados knock them back down in a 59-56 loss at the Wachovia Spectrum in Week 14 of the Arena Football League Season.

Much like the mythological character Sisyphus, who was cursed to push a boulder up a steep hill only to have it slip and roll right over him and back down to where it started, the Soul simply could not make that one play to get them over the mountain.

“It seems like you know we just couldn’t somehow get the break that we needed and they found ways, like a good 11-1 team does,” stated Philadelphia Head Coach Bret Munsey.  “They found ways to score and move the chains and we couldn’t get that one stop or one play.”

Just as the gods had conspired against Sisyphus, there seemed to be a conspiracy against the Soul’s defense as two apparent Eddie Moten interceptions were overturned; once by a roughing the passer penalty as Soul defensive lineman Dwayne Missouri touched Dallas’s quarterback Clint Dolezel on his helmet and the second on a pass interference penalty that looked more offensive than anything else.

“We had a couple of opportunities, we had them in third downs, we had them in fourth downs,” acknowledged Coach Munsey.  “The one there on the wall I’d like to see that on TV, but at the end of the day the referees didn’t lose that game, we got to do a better job.”

Soul quarterback Tony Graziani also had a rational explanation for his team’s inability to make the big play.

“You know last week we got one with the fumble and we got them early in the season,” he stated.  “We just have to keep playing and fighting. If our offense keeps playing the way it is, I have every confidence in Eddie Moten and those guys back there that we’re going to go a long way in the playoffs.”

After a tough loss to the best team in the league, will the Soul respond and push that proverbial boulder over the mountain top and into the playoffs?

“I’m not worried at all, we’re right there in the thick of it,” affirmed Graziani.  “We got three games against three teams that are right there in the hunt too.  So, we can knock them off and it’s our job to come back and try not to hang our heads too much about this one.”

On the count of three, everybody push 1, 2, 3…

Inside the numbers

Tony Graziani (PHI) completed 22 of 36 attempts for 268 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions.

Larry Brackins (PHI) hauled in seven passes for 116 yards and one touchdown.

Clint Dolezel (DAL) finished 21 of 35 for 320 yards and seven touchdowns to be named Offensive Player of the Game.

Wil Pettis (DAL) caught nine tosses for 191 yards and four touchdowns.  Pettis also made three tackles and one interception to be named ADT Ironman of the Game.

Attendance – 15,853

Munsey on his team’s effort

“I never question our effort.  I think we got guys that play 100 miles per hour every game.  I question sometimes our tackling and little things like that, but the effort is always there with this group.”

Graziani on playing against Dolezel

“That’s arena football and Dolezel is one of the best quarterbacks in the league for a reason.  I go into every game thinking it’s going to be a shootout.  That’s how I was brought up in LA and that’s my mindset.  I’m not thinking about stops, I’m just trying to score on every possession.”

Munsey on playing Tampa

“We’re going down to Tampa and they’ve won more championships than anyone in the league and it’s going to be another dog fight on the road it’s tough to get victories and we’ve got to find a way to come together when we get down there on Saturday night.”

Graziani on playing Tampa

“We know we’re going to get a lot of man to man.  It’s up to our receivers and myself to put the ball in a good spot and they got to get open.  They’re not going to try to fool you, they come right at you and they have a good pass rush and the play man to man.  There’s no sugar coating anything and that’s the kind of challenge we like.”

Congratulations to J.J. McKelvey

McKelvey missed the game against Dallas to attend to the birth of his daughter.   

“It was a last second deal, I’m glad J.J.’s having his little baby girl.” – Graziani

Next week

Philadelphia travels to Tampa Bay to take on the Storm.  Kickoff is set for Saturday at 7:30.