The Soul are headed back to the ArenaBowl.
On Saturday night, the Soul beat the Baltimore Brigade, 69-54, at the Wells Fargo Center to advance to ArenaBowl XXX, which will be hosted in Philadelphia on Aug. 26.
It will be the Soul's second straight ArenaBowl. The Soul beat the Arizona Rattlers, who are now a part of the Indoor Football League, 56-42, in ArenaBowl XXIX last season.
The Soul have two ArenaBowl titles in franchise history. Their other championship came in 2008. It'll be their fourth ArenaBowl appearance since 2012 and fifth since 2008.
In 2009, the AFL suspended operations and in 2010, the Soul did not play when the league resumed. They came back to life in 2011, which means this will be their fifth ArenaBowl appearance in their eight seasons of operation.
Since 2012, the Soul have made the playoffs each season and the ArenaBowl now in four of the six campaigns. The Phillies have lost 520 games since 2012, while the Eagles, Sixers and Flyers have combined for just five playoff appearances — three for the Flyers and one for the Sixers and Eagles.
“I’m proud of all this team has accomplished this season,” Soul head coach Clint Dolezel said. “We have worked very hard to get to this point and I’m excited to defend the title once again.”
Soul quarterback Dan Raudabaugh and wide receiver Darius Reynolds led the charge Saturday, helping Philly to its 17th straight home win. Raudabaugh threw for 324 yards and nine touchdowns, completing 23 of his 35 passes. Reynolds reeled in six touchdowns.
Reynolds had 171 yards on nine catches. Shaun Kauleinamoku and Darius Prince also added TD grabs for the Soul.
The Soul will host either Cleveland or Tampa Bay on Aug. 26 in ArenaBowl XXX at the Wells Fargo Center. The Gladiators and Storm play on Monday night.