Playoff Berth on the Line as Gladiators Battle Soul on CBS Sports Network

June 20,2014

AFL Communications
PHILADELPHIA – The Cleveland Gladiators (11-1) will look to lock up a playoff berth this Saturday as they travel to Philadelphia for an East Division matchup with the back-to-back defending American Conference champion Philadelphia Soul (6-7). Kickoff for the “NET10 Wireless Arena Football Saturday” contest is set for 6:00 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
The last meeting between these two squads resulted in one of the greatest finishes in Arena Football history, as the Gladiators rallied from 17 points down in the final 52 seconds to defeat the Soul on the final play from scrimmage, 54-52. The AFL’s version of the “Kardiac Kids”, Cleveland has thrived under pressure all season, winning six games by 10 points or fewer and claiming three victories on the final play of the game.
Philadelphia enters Week 15 on the heels of another last-second loss to a division rival, as the Pittsburgh Power (10-3) connected on a game-winning field goal to hand the Soul their first home loss of the year, 57-56, a week ago. Philadelphia quarterback Dan Raudabaugh completed 27-of-42 passes for 267 yards and six touchdowns with two interceptions in the game, while Emery Sammons emerged as his top target, tying the single-game Soul record for receptions with 14. Sammons will team with perennial All-Arena receiver Anthony Jones in an attempt to break down Cleveland’s aggressive secondary. Philadelphia also holds a wildcard in fullback Derrick Ross. The League’s all-time leading rusher ripped the Gladiators for 44 yards and two touchdowns in their first matchup this year, the most allowed by the Cleveland defense all season. The Soul will have another ace in the hole this weekend, as All-Arena offensive lineman Christian Johnson returns to the team after spending the past six months with the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals.
Cleveland’s offensive attack is led by Shane Austin, who has fully entrenched himself in the League MVP conversation with his exceptional play this season. In his last two games, Austin has thrown 15 touchdown passes with no interceptions, improving his season ratio to 6-to-1. He also set a career-high with eight scoring strikes in last week’s 62-46 victory over the New Orleans VooDoo (2-10). Four of those touchdowns were hauled in by Thyron Lewis, who also recorded the game-winning touchdown catch in the May 23rd meeting between Cleveland and Philadelphia. Veteran wideout Dominick Goodman also figures to be an impact player on Saturday, as the Gladiators leading receiver is just six catches and 46 yards shy of his fourth consecutive season with at least 100 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards.
To get to that milestone, Goodman and the Gladiators will have to find a way to outplay Rayshaun Kizer, Philadelphia’s top defender and one of the greatest ballhawks in Arena Football history. Kizer leads the Soul defense with 71.5 tackles, 20 pass breakups and seven interceptions on the year. The three-time All-Arena defensive back has collected an interception in three consecutive games and five of the last six contests, bringing his career total to 55, the third-most in AFL history. Cleveland will also have to be aware of Joe Goosby – one of the League’s most consistent Jack linebackers – and emerging star James Romain, who has batted down 14 passes and logged four picks of his own on the year.
Cleveland’s strongest unit may be its secondary. Led by the opportunistic play of Marrio Norman and the hard-hitting approach of Dominic Jones, the Gladiators have become one of the game’s most intimidating defensive units. Norman is tied for the League-lead in interceptions with nine, while Jones leads the team with 20 pass breakups. Cleveland will also look for another big game from nose guard Willie McGinnis, who is enjoying a breakout season with a career-high seven sacks. He will look to continue his pattern of disruption on Saturday against a Soul offensive line that has allowed just five sacks all season, though three have come in the last two weeks.
A Gladiators win would clinch the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2011, while a Soul victory would put Philadelphia back in the hunt for a third-straight postseason run.