Albany Empire hosts Phila. Soul tonight
ALBANY, N.Y. » The Philadelphia Soul (4-4) return to the Times Union Center Saturday night to take on the Albany Empire (5-3) with both teams looking to rebound from a loss last week.
The Empire took the last meeting between the two squads, 41-36 on May 19 and the series is currently tied 1-1.
For the Philadelphia Soul Quarterback Shane Austin got assigned to the Soul last week after being released by the Valor following Week 7. In his first time in a Soul uniform, Austin went for 18-of-33 passes for 302 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions. Austin has a dynamic duo of receivers to target. Wide receiver Darius Prince hauled in eight catches for 146 yards and four touchdowns. Prince has 60 receptions for 765 yards and 15 touchdowns on the season, making him the League leader in reception yards. Receiver Darius Reynolds caught four receptions for 80 yards and one touchdown in Week 9. In nine games this season, Reynolds has 35 receptions for 502 yards and nine touch-
downs. Defensive back James Romain and defensive back Dwayne Hollis lead the Soul defense. The duo has combined for 79 total tackles, one tackle fora-loss, three INTs, 16 pass breakups, and 19 passes defended.
For the Albany Empire Quarterback Tommy Grady completed 19-of-28 passes for 275 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception last week. Grady has gone 156-of-239 passes for 1,928 yards, 49 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 2018. The former Ute ranks first in the League in passing yards and passing touchdowns. Grady has found two key receivers to target. Wide receiver Malachi Jones hauled in seven catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns, along with 15 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. The rookie ranks second in reception yards with 713. Receiver Joe Hills caught nine receptions for 132 yards and four touchdowns against the Brigade in Week 9. Hills recorded his 250th career TD reception, becoming the 11th player in AFL history to reach the milestone. Defensive end Joe Sykes is on the verge of becoming the AFL’s all-time sack leader. Sykes recorded a 0.5 sack against the Brigade and is currently tied with AFL Hall of Famer Sam Hernandez with 60.5 career sacks. Sykes will be looking to break the record over the next four weeks.
Game time is 6 p.m. at the Times Union Center and the game will broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.