Dominant Second Half Lifts Soul Over Steel, 59-38

(photo credit: Philadelphia Soul/Instagram)

The Philadelphia Soul scored 31 consecutive points in the third and fourth quarters to put away the Portland Steel, 59-38, in Monday night’s only game of AFL action.

This loss did nothing regarding playoff positioning for Portland (1-11), who continues to toil in the National Conference basement. With the victory, Philadelphia (10-3) moved one game behind the American Conference-leading Orlando Predators (11-2) with just three games remaining for both teams.

The game started evenly, with both teams trading scores back and forth during the first half. Less than two minutes into the game, Philadelphia quarterback Dan Raudabaugh connected with wide receiver Shaun Kauleinamoku for a 7-0 lead. Portland responded when Shane Austin found Rashaad Carter to tie the game, 7-7. Jeramie Richardson started the Soul’s next drive with a 25-yard rush, then punched it in two plays later from one yard out for a 14-7 advantage.

The Steel’s Jared Perry returned the ensuing kickoff almost to midfield, and two Shane Austin passes later, Rashaad Carter had his second touchdown of the game to even the score again, 14-14. Philadelphia’s next possession took exactly two plays before Raudabaugh hit Ryan McDaniel for a score as the first quarter came to a close, putting the Soul up 21-14.

Portland started the second quarter with a five-play, 45-yard drive that culminated in Carter’s 3^rd (and final) touchdown of the game, evening the score at 21-21. Two minutes later, Raudabaugh hit Kauleinamoku for a second time, and a 28-21 Soul lead with 8:33 left in the half. On Portland’s next possession, a roughing the passer penalty put them in Philadelphia territory.

Steel receiver Nick Truesdell, in his first action since suffering an injury in the first game of the season, had two receptions on the drive, including one in the end zone, to pull Portland even again, 28-28. Philadelphia followed with the first turnover on downs of the game, giving Portland possession at the Soul’s 10-yard line.

Portland was able to gain just five yards on their four downs, and turned the ball right back over with 57 seconds left. On the second play of Philadelphia’s next possession, Raudabaugh was intercepted by Steel defensive back Shaine Boyle in Soul territory. Portland ended the first half with an Ernesto Lacayo field goal as time expired, giving Portland their first lead of the game at 31-28 heading into the locker room.

The second half was a completely different story. Portalnd received to start, and after a sack and holding penalty created a 3rd and-27 situation, Shane Austin’s fourth down pass was intercepted by Soul defensive back Tracy Bolton. Seven plays and 31 yards later, Raudabaugh’s second connection with McDaniel gave Philadelphia the lead back, 35-31. They wouldn’t relinquish it for the rest of the game.

Portland’s first play on their next drive was another interception, this time by Sean Daniels, who returned it for a touchdown. 42-31, Philadelphia. It took a full three plays on the Steel’s next possession before another interception, Belton’s second of the game for Philadelphia. The 10 plays of the Soul’s ensuing drive included three completions, four incomplete passes, three penalties, the changeover from the third to fourth quarter, and ended with a field goal and 45-31 Soul lead.

Portland futility continued again, with another turnover on downs that Philadelphia converted into another touchdown, Raudabaugh this time hitting Darius Reynolds for the score. But at 52-31, Philadelphia’s scoring streak was still not complete. With just under four minutes remaining in the game, and Portland trying to save a little bit of face, Shane Austin’s very next pass resulted in his fourth interception of the game, this time by James Romain.

That drive took six plays and a little over two minutes before Jeramie Richardson scored his second rushing touchdown of the game and completed the string of 31 unanswered points for Philadelphia, turning a 31-28 halftime deficit into a 59-31 lead with less than a minute remaining in the game. In a last exertion of effort, Shaine Boyle returned the ensuing kickoff 57 yards for a touchdown, accomplishing the game’s final score of 59-38.

Shane Austin finished with 20 completions on 39 attempts for 171 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions (the third time he has reached that total this season) for Portland. Rashaad Carter’s three touchdowns came on 8 receptions and 71 yards.

For Philadelphia, Raudabaugh went 19 for 33, with 217 yards and five touchdowns. Kauleinamoku hauled in nine receptions for 125 yards and those two touchdowns. It’s the third time he has had nine catches in a game, his second 100+-yard game, and his seventh multiple-score game.

• Portland’s remaining three games are at home against the Jacksonville Sharks (5-7), at the Tampa Bay Storm (1-11), and at home against the Los Angeles KISS (5-7). Philadelphia finishes the season at home against the Cleveland Gladiators (7-6), at Tampa Bay, then ends with a game that could determine 1^st place in the division, at the Orlando Predators.