2016 Week 8 Preview: Soul vs Predators

(photo credit: pressofatlanticcity.com)

The undefeated Orlando Predators will travel to play the Philadelphia Soul on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network and is the much anticipated AFL Game of the Week.

The game features the league's most dynamic offenses as both signal callers are early MVP candidates.

Orlando (7-0) is led by quarterback Randy Hippeard, who has 142-of-217 completions, 42 passing touchdowns, five rushing touchdowns and four interceptions.

Receiver Greg Carr has been the Predators top playmaker with 631 receiving yards and 13 TD’s. Brandon Thompkins has added 595 receiving yards and team high 17 TD’s.

On special teams, Thompkins has established himself as an elite return specialist with 891 return yards on the season. Kicker Mark Lewis has added 58 points. The Predators rank first in both categories.

On the other side of the ball, defensive back Varmah Sonie has a league leading five interceptions. Paul Stephens has three.

In addition, linebacker Willie McGinnis has 2.5 sacks, and cornerback Ken Richardson recorded 37.5 solo tackles on the season.

Orlando is coming off a game where they narrowly escaped with a win, defeating the Tampa Bay Storm (0-6) 42-40. In their first game on the road in two weeks the Predators will look to silence critics who fail to recognize them as an elite team who is poised for an AFL title run.

Philadelphia Soul (6-1) quarterback Dan Raudabaugh has completed 144-of-211 passes for 1,734 yards, 42 TD’s, and seven interceptions.

Receivers Darius Reynolds and Shaun Kauleinamoku each have 15 receiving TD’s on the year.

The Soul have a strong rushing attack from short yard specialist Jeramie Richardson who has seven rushing TD’s, ranking second in the league.

Philadelphia features a pair of shutdown defensive backs, Dwayne Hollis has five interceptions and Tracy Belton has added four. Soul pass rushers Teddy Jennings, Justin Lawrence, and Jake Metz each have recorded two sacks. Linebacker Joe Goosby leads the team with 32 solo tackles.

Philadelphia is riding high after defeating the Arizona Rattlers (5-2), 65-58. The Soul looked impressive in the victory as it was the first time in team history they beat Arizona. Philadelphia is hoping to continue the winning momentum in the battle for the top spot in the American Conference.