Ross' Six TDs Not Enough as Soul Fall To Rattlers in OT

Harrison Brown
Sunday March 16, 2014

If you’ve been watching the Philadelphia Soul since the team’s rebirth in 2011 you’ve now seen six losses to the Arizona Rattlers. The Soul fell to the Rattlers 62-55 in the first game of the young 2014 season. Derrick Ross tied an AFL record by scoring six rushing touchdowns on 12 carries.

“We played a solid game, but we have to learn how to finish games -- mentally,” said Soul head coach Clint Dolezel in the Soul’s press release. “We did some positive things, but can’t be satisfied. We will get back at it next week and get ready for San Jose.”

Even with a defensive line that didn’t have first-team All-Arena lineman Bryan Robinson playing, the Soul’s “trenchmen” forced a fumble on the first drive of the game. Teddy Jennings recovered the fumble, leading to Ross’ first touchdown of the night. Carlos Martinez missed the extra point, making it 6-0 to start. Arizona answered, as Alex Singleton plowed his way to the end zone. The teams traded touchdowns after that making the score 14-13 Arizona.

Rattlers' quarterback Nick Davila found Rod Windsor for a touchdown to make the score 21-13. Like Davila, Dan Raudabaugh found his favorite target connecting with Tiger Jones for a five-yard touchdown. Then Davila found Tysson Poots for a score, only to have the Soul score again with a Ross touchdown. The first half ended as a close one with the score at 28-27.

In the third, Raudabaugh connected with Ryan McDaniel for a 29-yard touchdown pass and again the Rattlers struck back for a Rod Windsor touchdown. Ross rushed for another touchdown making the score 41-35 at the end of the third.

After a Davila run for a touchdown to start the fourth, the Rattler’s special teams unit couldn’t convert the PAT after a wild snap leaving the score tied at 41. Davila found his long haired friend Poots in the end zone leaving the Rattlers with a 48-41 lead with 11:24 left to play in the fourth. But two more Ross touchdowns gave the Soul a 55-48 lead with 23 seconds left. After these two touchdowns in a row, Ross broke a tackle and had a clear sight at the end zone, but many believe he should have downed the ball at the one to force the Rattlers to use their final timeout because with eight seconds left on the clock. Davila found Poots in the endzone forcing the game to go to overtime.

The Soul won the overtime coin toss but decided to kick the ball off instead of receiving. Davila found Poots for a fourth time giving the Rattlers a 62-55 lead. On the kickoff James Romain was crushed at the one yard line leaving the Soul no margin for error. On the first play of the drive it seemed as though Raudabaugh was looking for a receiver on a slant route but was picked off by Kerry Reed to end the game with a final score of 62-55.

There might not be as exciting a first game of the season for a long time. The Rattlers and the Soul proved they were still the AFL’s leaders of the pack. Only time will tell if the Soul can achieve their first win against the Rattlers in team history.