Soul win season opener, 70-63, in Orlando

The Soul overcame the first-quarter loss of kicker Carlos Martinez to earn a Week 1 victory in Orlando against the Predators.

Philadelphia used a last minute touchdown by receiver Ryan McDaniel to win over the Predators, 70-63 at the Amway Center on Sunday night.

"That's Arena Football, coming down to the wire on the last play of the game," said Soul head coach Clint Dolezel. "Coming back from injury and adversity is the key and I am extremely excited to see what this team can do in Spokane next week."

McDaniel finished with 10 catches for 150 yards and three touchdowns. Marco Thomas added 14 catches for 154 yards and three touchdowns. Shaun Kauleinamoku had six receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns.

Dan Raudabaugh finished the night by completing 30 of 48 passes for 422 yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions.

Kent Richardson led the team with 6.5 total tackles and one tackle for loss and Dwayne Hollis had 3.5 total tackles.

The first quarter kicked off with a strong pass by Raudabaugh to McDaniel for the Soul's first touchdown. The kick was no good as Martinez went down with an injury.

The Predators returned with a quarterback sneak for a touchdown by Predator QB Randy Hippeard. With a made kick, the score was tied 7-7 with 6:18 remaining in the first quarter. The Soul returned with a fantastic throw by Raudabaugh to Thomas for a 38-yard touchdown.

The two-point conversion was no good but the Soul led the Predators 13-7 with 3:49 left in the first quarter. A kick return fumble by Orlando, recovered by Boyce, resulted in a Soul touchdown with 2:47 left in the quarter.

Orlando returned, on the final play of quarter with a touchdown by WR Justin Hilton. The final score at the end of the first quarter had the Soul leading the Predators 20-14.

The Soul started the second quarter off rough as a Soul fumble was recovered by Predators DB Erick McIntosh with 5:53 remaining in the half.

Hippeard connected with Hilton for a Predator touchdown. With 3:42 remaining in the half, Predators lead the Soul 21-20. The Soul were unable to return with a touchdown as Taggart fumbled the ball, recovered by Orlando with 1:53 remaining in the half. Predators WR Larry Brackins was wide open in the end zone and caught a pass from Hippeard for an Orlando touchdown.

With the kick good, the Soul trailed the Predators 20-28 with 56 seconds left in the half. This time the Soul responded with a 40-yard touchdown to Kauleinamoku. The two-point conversion by McDaniel, the Soul tied the game at 28-28 at the end of the first half.

The third quarter started off slow for Philadelphia, with a touchdown by Orlando's Brackins. The extra point was good and the Soul trailed 28-35 with 11:04 in the third quarter.

The Soul returned the favor with a pass from Raudabaugh to Kauleinamoku for a touchdown. The two point conversion by TE Adam Smith giving the Soul the lead 36-35 with 7:14 remaining in the quarter. Hippeard finds WR Kendal Thompkins for a touchdown and with the extra point good, the Soul trail 36-42 with 5:23 left in the third quarter. Raudabaugh turns back around and connects with Kauleinamoku for a Soul touchdown.

With the extra point attempt no good, Soul tied with the Predators 42-42 with 1:11 left in the third. Hippeard threw a 22-yard pass to Thompkins, again for a Predator touchdown. At the end of the third quarter, Soul trailed 42-49 to Orlando.

Raudabaugh started the fourth quarter off strong with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Thomas. The conversion was no good and the Soul trailed the Predators 48-49 with 11:41 left in the game. DB James Romain intercepted a pass by Hippeard and returned it for a 30-yard touchdown. A two-point conversion by Xavier Boyce gave the Soul a 56-49 lead with 8:55 remaining in the game.

Hippeard found WR Gregg Carr for a Predators touchdown. The extra point was good and the Soul tied with the Predators 56-56 with 5:55 remaining in the game. Soul returned with a long pass from Raudabaugh to McDaniel for a Soul touchdown. The two-point conversion was no good and with 1:45 remaining in the game, the Soul led 62-56.

Hippeard found Brackins for a touchdown late into the fourth quarter. The kick was good and the Soul trailed 62-63 with 36 seconds remaining in the game. Raudabaugh connected with McDaniel for a Soul touchdown in the remaining seconds of the game. ThetTwo-point conversion made by Marco Thomas was successful and at the end of the game and the Soul won 70-63.

In Week 2, the Soul travel to play the Spokane Shock. The game will kick off Saturday, April 4 at 10 p.m. at the Spokane Veteran's Memorial Arena.