Programming Note: Watch the SaberCats take on the Philadelphia Soul Saturday afternoon at 3:00pm on Comcast Sportsnet Plus
Nick Laino
CSNBayArea.com
Revenge is part of the plot as the SaberCats face off against the Philadelphia Soul. On July 27, 2008, in the New Orleans Arena, San Jose met Philadelphia in ArenaBowl XXII. The SaberCats, one year earlier in that same building, hoisted the Foster Trophy for the third time in their illustrious history. The Soul were making their first ever ArenaBowl appearance. In a battle that, at one point, had Philadelphia leading by as much as 19 points in the second half, San Jose made one final stand -- scoring twice in the closing seconds of the game. Philadelphia recovered an onside kick with 17 seconds left and was able to keep San Jose from becoming repeat champions. The SaberCats will head to the City Of Brotherly Love and meet a reloaded Soul team that last week put 92 points on the board in a thrashing of the Georgia Force.
Here is what to watch for:Light up the scoreboard
You like offense? Well then this will be the game to watch as both teams come in firing on all cylinders on offense. The Soul leads the AFL averaging 75.2 points per game, while San Jose is right behind with a 68.8 average. San Joses offense is ranked 2nd in the AFL averaging 343 yards per game. Add that to both teams having a Quarterback in the top ten in passing yards, touchdowns and pass efficiency, you have the all the makings of a long day for the scoreboard operator.
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Defense wins championships
Last Season, San Jose was dead last in every category on defense. This season, behind a new coach, the SaberCats are now showing the teeth needed to keep opposing teams off the scoreboard. In the first four games, San Jose has allowed 295.2 yards per game; only 32 touchdowns though have been scored. In a league where offense is king, that is pretty close to having your opponent on lockdown. In the last two games, San Joses defense has only allowed 13 points in the 4th Quarter. When you see that your opponent last week put a franchise record 92 points on the board, the challenge will be to not let that happen to you as well. But last week San Jose was up to the test as they forced a total of five turnovers in the game, recording four fumble recoveries and one interception. Repeat that performance this week against the AFLs top rated passer in Philadelphias Dan Raudabaugh, and San Jose will have doubled their road win total from last year in only their 3rd road game.
Nick Laino is a tape playback operator with Comcast SportsNet Bay Area and the HP Arena public address announcer for the San Jose SaberCats.