Lopsided

Jason Moyer
Wednesday April 30, 2008

The game was a battle of unbeaten teams.  It was supposed to be the Arena Football Leagues version of the New England Patriots versus the Indianapolis Colts.  It was supposed to be ArenaBowl XXI.5.  Instead it turned into a mugging as the Philadelphia Soul ran the Dallas Desperados 57-28 out of the Wachovia Spectrum.

From the very first play, when Philadelphia’s Mike Brown intercepted a pass from Dallas’s quarterback Clint Dolezel, the tone was set as the Soul simply out played, out coached, and out worked the Desperados.

“Unbelievable, the defense came out and played lights out,” stated Soul quarterback Matt D’Orazio.  “They prepared all week and had some great schemes for Dallas’s offense.  They played with passion and we fed off of them.”

Philadelphia turned in their best defensive performance of the season allowing only 28 points and intercepting four Dolezel passes.  

“We kind of wanted to come out and keep up with the offense,” said ADT Defensive Player of the Game Eddie Moten.  “Our offense has been playing great the first half of the season. We’ve been playing all right, mediocre. We need to step up our play right along with the offense.”

Moten intercepted three passes in the game and now has eight in his career against the Dallas quarterback.

“I don’t think he likes me too much and I don’t want him to throw a touchdown against me,” commented Moten.

In fact after his last interception, Moten had to be pulled off the field by Coach Munsey to avoid an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty while Dolezel merely had to be peeled off of the Spectrum’s carpet.  Tell me again exactly who doesn’t like whom?

Philadelphia’s defense was so dominant that they were able to survive injuries to starting defensive backs Mike Brown and Brian Mance.  The Soul were forced to play receivers Sean Scott and Chris Jackson as defensive backs during most of the second half along with rookie Dee Webb.

“Sean and Chris Jackson stepped in and played the defensive back position,” noted Munsey.  “I’m proud of those guys to do whatever it takes.  When you’re a great football team and you got great players, everybody has to contribute and that’s what we’re getting.”

After witnessing another big game turn into a big flop, the question that needs to be answered will be:  Just how good is Philadelphia?  We’ll see in Week 15 when Philadelphia visits Dallas.

Inside the Numbers

Matt D’Orazio (PHI) completed 20 of 29 passes for 194 yards and six touchdowns.  The quarterback also rushed eight times for 37 yards and two scores.

Larry Brackins (PHI) hauled in seven passes for 77 yards and three touchdowns.

Eddie Moten (PHI) intercepted three passes while making nine tackles.

Will Pettis (DAL) snared 10 passes for 133 yards and entered the end zone twice.

Attendance – 15,426

Injury Update

Philadelphia’s Brian Mance was injured during the third quarter and will be out for the remainder of the season according to Coach Munsey, “Look’s like Brian’s going to be out for the season.  He had a broken ankle.”

Next Week

Philadelphia will have to regroup quickly as they head to Cleveland for a game Friday night.