ArenaBowl XXVI Rematch Set Between Soul & Rattlers
Adam Markowitz
Sunday August 11, 2013
Never before in Arena Football League history have two teams played against each other in back-to-back ArenaBowls. All of that is going to change in ArenaBowl XXVI in Orlando, as the Arizona Rattlers and the Philadelphia Soul are going to be playing for the Foster Trophy for the second consecutive season.
This time around, Arizona is going to be the favored side. The National Conference champs are playing in their third consecutive ArenaBowl, marking the first time since ArenaBowls XVI, XVII, and XVIII that a team has played in the league championship game three straight times. The Rattlers played in – and were beaten in – all three of those games. The only other times in AFL history that a team made it to three consecutive ArenaBowls were the Orlando Predators (ArenaBowls XII, XIII, and XIV) and the Detroit Drive (ArenaBowls II, III, IV, V, VI, and VII).
The Rattlers will also be making their eighth ArenaBowl appearance in franchise history, tying the record that was originally held by the Tampa Bay Storm/Pittsburgh Gladiators franchise.
Philadelphia is going to be heading to the ArenaBowl for the third time since the 2008 season. The franchise has only played in four seasons since 2008, and it has made it to the ArenaBowl in three of those campaigns.
These two teams met twice this season, and Arizona won both clashes, taking a 66-52 decision on March 23rd and a 64-57 game on June 1st. In defeat, WR Tiger Jones combined to account for 17 catches, 340 yards, and seven touchdowns. Both QB Nick Davila and QB Dan Raudabaugh threw for over 300 yards in both games.
Arizona leads the all-time series 4-0. Coach Guy is a perfect 4-0 against the Soul in his career and is 3-0 against Coach Dolezel. Dolezel has never beaten Coach Guy or the Rattlers in his coaching career, going 0-3 against both teams.
Kickoff is set for Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. ET at the Amway Center in Orlando. There will be live television coverage of the clash on CBS.
