Week 14 Preview: Iowa Barnstormers at Philadelphia Soul

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Soul (7-5) prepare to host the Iowa Barnstormers (6-7) at the Wells Fargo Center at 6:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 22. The game is themed Military Appreciation Night and will include a job fair for veterans before kickoff and the Army-Navy Veterans Arena Football Game following the Soul game.


"It's going to be another matchup where we have to take care of the ball," explained Soul head coach Clint Dolezel. "Iowa has a +10 turnover margin so they know how to get the ball back to their offense. They also have a decent receiving core that can capitalize on mistakes. If we take care of the ball and put up the points, we should be able to come out of the game successful."

After last week's win, the Soul have scored at least 50 points in 11 of their 12 games this season. They are averaging 59.2 points per game (No. 3), while averaging 283.9 yards passing (No. 3) and 31.8 yards on the ground (No. 3).
Soul quarterback Dan Raudabaugh ranks No. 2 in passing yards per game (281.1), No. 3 in passing yards (3,373) and No. 3 in passing touchdowns (66). Offensive Player of the Year candidate Tiger Jones leads the AFL in receiving yards (1,599), ranks No. 3 in receptions (108) and No. 7 in receiving touchdowns (27).

While Clint Dolezel's team ranks in the middle of the pack in total defense (No. 7), they have been stout against the run (No. 3) and in the red zone (No. 2). Defensive Player of the Year candidate Bryan Robinson has been one of the standouts on defense with a League-leading 14 tackles-for-loss (No. 1) and 9.0 sacks this season (No. 3).

The Iowa defense has been their biggest strength, as it has allowed 48.5 points per game (No. 2), while creating 35 turnovers (No. 2) and forcing 23 sacks (No. 4). Defensive lineman Mike Lewis leads the entire League with 11.5 sacks, while having 13.0 tackles-for-loss (No. 2) and three forced fumbles (T-No. 2). Defensive back De'Mon Glanton has also been a standout defensively, ranking No. 3 in interception return yards (126), No. 5 in tackles per game (5.9) and No. 10 in interceptions (5).

An issue for Iowa head coach Mike Hohensee's squad is its struggling offense that averages only 48.9 points per game (No. 10). They are one of only two teams to average less than 10 yards rushing per game (San Jose Sabercats). Lastly, their 249.9 yards passing ranks No. 9 in the League and 262.0 yards of total offense ranks No. 12.

While the offense has been subpar, Iowa has two standout wide receivers in Marco Thomas and Marcus Harris. Thomas is tied for No. 5 in the AFL with 97 receptions and No. 9 in receiving yards (1,079). Harris is a dynamic playmaker who is No. 4 in all-purpose yards per game (171.7) and No. 8 in yards per catch (14.0) and kick return average (19.3).

It will be up to Iowa to keep up with the Soul's No. 1 ranked offense (315.7 yards). However, with Thomas and Harris, the Barnstormers will look take advantage of the Soul's secondary (No. 10).   With two defenses that have struggled against the pass, whichever quarterback can make the most plays will likely see his team come out on top.