2016 Week 11 Preview: Soul vs KISS (at Sun National Bank Center, Trenton, NJ)

(photo credit: nj.com)

The Los Angeles KISS (4-5) will hit the road to take on the Philadelphia Soul (8-2), in the second edition of the “Rocks vs Jocks” game. Since the Wells Fargo Center needs to get ready for the Democratic National Convention, this game will be played at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, NJ. 

This game is very important for both teams, as the Soul look to stay at the top of the American Conference, while the KISS look to gain some ground on the National Conference-leading Arizona Rattlers. These two teams met in May, when the Soul defeated the KISS, 56-33 at the Honda Center in Los Angeles. In that game, the KISS had no solution on how to stop 2015 AFL MVP Dan Raudabaugh.

He completed 18 of his 26 pass attempts for 250 yards and six touchdowns. Raudabaugh has been this way all season, as no defense has figured out how to stop the explosive quarterback. Raudabaugh has continued to play like the MVP, as he has completed 210 of his 306 pass attempts for 2,545 yards and 59 touchdowns. His go to-receiver has been Darius Reynolds, as he has reeled in 73 passes for 896 yards and 23 touchdowns. 

Shaun Kauleinamoku has also been a reliable weapon, as he has totaled 753 yards and 16 touchdowns, while catching 60 passes. Adding to the Soul’s high powered offense, is short rushing specialist and fullback Jeramie Richardson. Richardson has 58 carries this year, and he has tallied 171 yards and 12 touchdowns. Leading the Soul on the defensive side of the ball has been Joe Goosby.

Goosby has been a tackling machine this year, as he leads the Soul in tackles with 47.5 this year. Dwayne Hollis has been a ball hawk this season, as he currently leads the team in interceptions with six.

The KISS will now be going into their third week without Nathan Stanley, but backup quarterback Pete Thomas has been strong in the absence of Stanley.

In two starts, Thomas has completed 37 of his 65 pass attempts, and he’s thrown for 460 yards and 12 touchdowns against the Portland Steel and Orlando Predators. Thomas has been very successful, partly because of the chemistry he’s built with wide receiver Donovan Morgan. 

This season, Morgan has caught 56 passes for 705 yards and 25 touchdowns. Morgan has caught fire as of late, as he has caught four touchdowns in his last two games. Leading the way on defense for the KISS has been Fredrick Obi. Obi leads the team in tackles (55.5), and he leads the team in interceptions (4). 

In order for the KISS to steal a game on the road, they must limit turnovers. The last time these two teams played, the KISS committed three turnovers. For the Soul, they will need to make sure to pressure Thomas into tough throws.