No Doubt About This One
Jason Moyer
Sunday July 13, 2008
After a highly debated victory in last weeks Divisional Playoff round, the Philadelphia Soul left no doubt in anybody’s mind as to who the better team was in the National Conference Championship game as they trounced the Cleveland Gladiators 70-35 to advance to ArenaBowl XXII.
“A win’s a win,” stated Soul quarterback Matt D’Orazio. “I think we were excited last week; it just wasn’t the one that got us to the ArenaBowl. So, we were excited last week and we’re certainly excited this week.”
The teams split their two contests during the regular season as Cleveland handed the Soul their first defeat in Week 10 while Philadelphia escaped with a one point victory in Week 16. So with everyone expecting another close game how did this one turn into a runaway victory?
“We have three guys that they can’t cover and they had to play zone the whole day,” observed Philadelphia Head Coach Bret Munsey. “We got great protection and read the defense and the rest is history.”
“First you have to talk about the offensive line,” affirmed D’Orazio. “A couple of them were dinged up and they kind of grinned and beared it and they played awesome. If you give Chris Jackson and Larry Brackins time, they’re going to get open and they did that today.”
The Soul defense was also a major contributor to the victory as they produced seven stops in the game. Eddie Moten led the way with 10.5 tackles and two interceptions.
“A defense wins championships and it’s no different in any sport and this one for sure,” said D’Orazio. “The defense came out and set the tone and those guys were playing with emotion. Offensively you’re just keeping up with them.”
Although the Gladiators players and management would never make excuses, they simply may have been out of gas after two tough playoff rounds in addition to a short Monday to Saturday week. And I’m sure that all the conspiracy theorists out there will say that the schedule was planned for Philadelphia to have an advantage in the championship game, but realistically it did not matter today.
With one more game remaining the stakes are raised even higher.
“We got everyone playing at a high level and we have one more,” commented Munsey. “We have to stay focused for two weeks, one more game, and we can bring home a championship.”
“Our goal wasn’t to be a playoff team, it was to be the champions and those are lofty goals,” added team President Ron Jaworski. “I know last time I played a game down there in New Orleans, we got beat. I’d like to come home from New Orleans with an ArenaBowl trophy on our airplane.”
Inside the game
Matt D’Orazio (PHI) completed 17 of 25 passes for 185 yards and eight touchdowns to be named Offensive Player of the Game.
Mike Brown (PHI) recorded five tackles and had a 57 yard kickoff return that included a hurdle over Gladiator kicker Jason Ball to be named Ironman of the Game.
Eddie Moten (PHI) registered 10.5 tackles and two interceptions on his way to Defensive Player of the Game.
Raymond Philyaw (CLE) finished 25 for 49 and 303 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions.
Robert Redd (CLE) caught 11 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns.
What would winning a championship mean?
Matt D’Orazio: “The key is the fans. They come out and support us and they don’t have to you know it’s the summer and they could do other things, but they come out and support us. It’s nice to give them something to cheer about today and hopefully a championship. That’s the ultimate thing for a player. You want to win championships so you can celebrate, the fans can celebrate and everyone has something to be proud of,”
Bret Munsey: “Bon Jovi wants to win a championship; he looked me in the eye. Could I have gotten fired after this [if we lost], you never know. But hey we’re going to go win this thing and I’m going to stick around for a little bit.”
Ron Jaworski: “It means a lot. I don’t want anyone to think that we’re the Eagles or the Flyers or the Sixers or the Phillies, but you know what? We’re a heck of a team and this is a heck of a professional sport and these guys worked as hard as anybody.”