Soul coach Doug Plank said his team

First the Soul lost their cool; then lost the game.

The Soul opened their 2012 home schedule with a 68-62 loss to the Cleveland Gladiators (2-1) in front of a better-than-expected crowd of, well…let’s just say it was a nice turnout.

Before all the pregame activities we concluded, the Gladiators were successful in goading several Soul players into pushing and shoving matches that clearly affected the Soul’s focus during the game.

“There was activity even before the game started in terms of players arguing and making comments to each other,” head coach Doug Plank said after the game. “We were so distracted…I’m not blaming that (on the loss). Our lack of execution accounted for us losing.”

Soul quarterback Dan Raudabaugh was 21 of 29 for 295 yards and six touchdowns but threw a critical interception on the first play of the Soul’s first drive of the second quarter. The turnover set up the Gladiators on the Soul seven-yard line. It took one play and the Gladiators led 28-14.

Raudabaugh fumbled twice losing possession both times. Both fumbles were converted to touchdowns for Cleveland.

The Soul were never able to get control of the game. That frustration resulted in two key players getting ejections. Center Brennen Carvalho was ejected in the second quarter after throwing punch in a post-touchdown altercation in the end zone.

Defensive lineman Bryan Robinson got tossed with seconds left in the game for excessive complaining to the referees and for taking off his helmet. 

“They got in our heads,” Raudabaugh said. “I’m disappointed that we let some of that (fighting) get to us. We were acting like immature guys out there. It didn’t affect out ability to go up and down the field. I thought Christian (Johnson) did a good job of stepping in (at center).”

Raudabaugh was asked about turnovers and the effect it has on a team’s chances of winning.

“Turnovers don’t just hurt in football…it’s the same in basketball, hockey…in baseball it’s walking the lead-off man. They (turnovers) always come back to bite you in the rear. And it starts with me and the o-line.”

Plank said the reason his team’s lack of focus and discipline was his responsibility.   

“When you are a team you can only play in a very small high and low,” Plank said. “Tonight we established a new low for our team. Certainly it was the worst game of the season for us. As coaches I am disappointed in our inability to be able to communicate with the players get them disciplined in not having so many penalties.”

The teams went to the locker room at halftime tied 34-34.

The Soul recovered from a second-quarter 28-14 deficit that was created by a Tim Cheatwood interception of Raudabaugh.

The Soul’s comeback was sparked by an interception by Kent Richardson, who weaved his way 47 yards for a touchdown.

But the Soul could not sustain any kind of momentum.

Defensive lineman Dustin Barno said he offered no excused for how his team acted or performed.

“I think Raudabaugh hit it right on the head,” Barno said of his quarterback assessments. “There is no excuse for what was put on the field tonight. We’ve got to go back to the drawing board and get better.”

SOUL STATS: Tiger Jones had eight catches for 141 yards and two TDs. Jeff Hughley came up with six catches for 91 yards and two scores.