Game Preview: Week 2- Soul to Kick Off Home Schedule Against Baltimore Brigade on Saturday, April 21

Thursday April 19, 2018

 Soul to kick off home schedule against Baltimore Brigade on Saturday, April 21

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Philadelphia Soul (1-0) play their 2018 Home Opener, presented by Independence Blue Cross, this Saturday, April 21. The Soul will welcome the Baltimore Brigade (1-0) to the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia with kickoff set for 7 p.m. This is the first meeting between the Soul and the Brigade this season. The game will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network and fans in the Philadelphia area can listen live on 97.5 FM “The Fanatic”.

Both the Soul and Brigade bring veteran-laden rosters to the field, which should make for a competitive contest. One of the Veteran leaders for the Brigade, and the biggest name to watch in this contest is the reigning AFL Most Valuable Player, Brigade QB Randy Hippeard. In addition to his MVP honors, Hippeard, was named Offensive Player of the Year after leading the AFL in completions (328), passing yards (3,506) and attempts (494), while throwing the fewest interceptions in the league (8) and ranking second in passing touchdowns (80).

Another Brigade player to watch is WR Brandon Thompkins. The 7-year AFL veteran has totaled 567 receptions for 7,024 yards and 140 touchdowns over his career and is an even bigger weapon on special teams, as the Soul experienced first-hand in last season’s ArenaBowl Championship game. Thompkins returned a missed field goal the length of the field for a touchdown. During his 2016 season with the Orlando Predators, Thompkins totaled 276 returns for 5,465 yards and 17 touchdowns, received First Team All-Arena Kick Returner and First Team All-Arena Wide Receiver honors, and was named the AFL’s 2016 Playmaker of the Year.

The Soul will also line up opposite a familiar face on Saturday as they face former Soul standout and current Brigade Defensive Lineman, Justin Lawrence. Lawrence, who played with the Soul for three straight seasons (2015-2017), has totaled 68 tackles and 16 sacks over his AFL career, which also included stints with the Milwaukee Mustangs (2011-12) and Pittsburgh Power (2014).

On the Soul side of the equation, keep an eye on Soul Wide Receiver Darius Prince. The ArenaBowl XXX Most Valuable Player picked up in Week 1 right where he left off, tallying nine receptions for 88 yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone. He went on to finish the game with an impressive 12 receptions for 112 yards and three touchdowns.

Another Wide Receiver to watch is Aaron Wascha. The rookie out of Michigan State made his AFL debut last week, and in classic Arena Football fashion, contributed in multiple phases of the game by not only securing his first career reception, but also recording six tackles on defense and special teams.

Certainly a player always worth noting is Soul QB Dan Raudabaugh. The 2015 AFL MVP and two-time champion proved once again in Week 1 why he’s established himself among the best to ever play the position after throwing the 700th touchdown pass of his career. Raudabaugh is only the ninth player in league history to reach that milestone, and he has his sights set on the top of that list.

“We are excited to be back home in Philly,” said Soul Head Coach Clint Dolezel. “The energy during home games always helps us and we are looking forward to the atmosphere on Saturday.”

Coming Up Next: In Week 3, the Soul are back home at the Wells Fargo Center against the Washington Valor on Saturday, April 28 with a kick-off time of 7:30 p.m.

ABOUT PHILADELPHIA SOUL

The back-to-back World Champion Philadelphia Soul are now playing in their 13th season in the Arena Football League. In the previous 12 seasons, the Soul have won four Division Championships, four Conference Championships and three World Championships. Since the inaugural season in 2004, the Soul are the winningest professional sports team in Philadelphia. Season memberships and Group tickets for the Soul’s 2018 season are on sale now. For tickets, contact the Soul sales department at (215) 253-4900 ext. 3, or request contact from a Soul representative by filling out the form on www.philadelphiasoul.com. Additionally, fans and sponsors can follow the Soul on Facebook (Philadelphia Soul), Twitter (@soulfootball) and Instagram (@philadelphia_soul) for up to date news and exclusive content.