Soul quarterback threw eight touchdowns passes against Tampa Bay.

Last week the Soul was named the No. 1 team in the Arena Football League by the other coaches in the league.
After last night’s win 83-48 win over the over the Tampa Bay Storm (3-3), it is a safe bet the Soul will hold on to that spot.

The Soul (5-1) rolled to a 48-14 halftime lead and never looked back. At the half, Soul quarterback Dan Raudabaugh was 9 of 12 for 142 yards, four touchdown passes with no interceptions. The former Miami (OH) standout finished 16 of 21 for 270 yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions. The offensive line gave up no sacks.

Despite those impressive numbers, it was the Soul defense that was the star of last night’s game.

The Soul’s defense was outstanding causing three fumbles, recovering two and intercepting Stephen Wasil in the end zone just before halftime.

Middle linebacker Dusty Bear said one of the reasons for his team’s turnaround was the sour taste the players and couches had after their loss to the Cleveland Gladiators in the home opener against Cleveland back on April 1.

It was an ugly loss that was marred by fights and turnovers that made the difference and handed the Soul its only loss this season

“It’s football, and when you take a loss in front of your home crowd, it embarrasses you, it fuels the fire,” said Bear, who was taken out of the game late in the first half as a precaution after spraining his ankle. “It fuels the fire in you and the guys realized that. That’s when it’s time to pick it up and turn it around…losing can be contagious, winning is contagious.”

Constancy is also a key element for success. Raudabaugh has been as consistent as any player on the Soul this season.     

“He’s the leader of this football team,” head coach Doug Plank said of his signal caller. “Dan was excellent. He found the open receivers, delivered the football on time and we managed the clock real well.”

The Soul were outscored 21-13 in the third quarter but still led comfortably, 61-35.

A 22-point fourth quarter squashed any thoughts the Storm may have had of a comeback.

Tiger Jones led Soul receivers with six catches for 123 yards and four touchdowns, Emery Sammons also registered sixes catches for 86 yards and a score, and Jeff Hughley hauled in three catches – all touchdowns – for 59 yards.

Derrick Ross scored on two rushing touchdowns.

Plank said he was not going to let his team look at the standings or its coaches ranking next week.

He knows his team has not accomplished anything yet.

“I’ve never seen anybody play a perfect game,” Plank said. “And we didn’t play a perfect game tonight. Despite scoring 83 points, we can still get better.”

Al Thompson can be reached at the.magazine@footballstories.com