PHILADELPHIA, PA (July 5) -- Quarterback Matt D’Orazio hit wide receiver Larry Brackins on a 28-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the game to give the Philadelphia Soul a pulsating, 49-48 playoff victory over the New York Dragons before 16,102 at the Wachovia Center Saturday night.

The controversial touchdown was a catch and run which was reviewed by the officials based on the Arena Football League’s new replay review system.  Brackins reached out with the football and barely broke the plane of the goal line while in the grasp of two Dragons to give the Soul the triumph and move them into the conference championship game next weekend at the Wachovia Center. The date and time will be announced. 

Tickets for next weekend’s playoff game are available by calling 888 PHIL AFL (888 744 5235) or via www.philadelphiasoul.com.

A victory next weekend will give the Soul the National Conference Championship and put Philadelphia into Arena Bowl XXII July 27 in New Orleans.

The game was in doubt throughout as the underdog Dragons rallied behind the play of quarterback Aaron Garcia and wide receiver Kevin Swayne, who connected for five touchdowns.  Riding the wave of their upset win over Dallas in a Wild Card playoff game last week, the Dragons went toe-to-toe with the Soul in the first half, taking a 25-23 lead into the lockerroom behind a Steve Azar 46-yard field goal on the last play of the second quarter.

The Soul shut out New York in the third quarter and led through most of the second half, but the visitors scored 13 unanswered points in the final minutes, taking a 48-43 lead with 57 seconds remaining.  The Soul moved smartly into Dragons territory with 17 seconds left, but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Brent Holmes moved the ball back into Philadelphia territory, 28 yards from the end zone.  With 7.1 left, D’Orazio hit Brackins on a crossing pattern at the 10 yard line and he dove toward the end zone for the winning score.

New York coach Weyland Harding challenged the call but the it stood following official review and the Soul celebrated the come-from-behind triumph.  The result was a huge disappointment for the Dragons, who upset the Dallas Desperados in a wild card playoff game last weekend.  The Dragons were seeking to avenge two losses to the Soul during the regular season.

D’Orazio completed 20 of 32 passes for 258 yards and six touchdowns, four of those to record-setting wide receiver Chris Jackson.  He ended up with eight catches for 122 yards, including 37 for a score on the third play of the game.  Brackins finished with seven catches for 87 yards.

Garcia ended up 34 of 45 for 337 yards with Swayne accounting for 14 catches and 166 yards to go with his five TDs.
The Soul, in their fifth year of AFL competition, is owned by Jon BonJovi and other interests.  Jon puts a lot of time into this team and makes regular appearances and promotions.  Jon always stands behind what he does.