Jacksonville at Soul

Season series: The Soul won both meetings, 56-38 in Philadelphia on May 12 and 62-27 at Jacksonville on June 16. That was the fewest points the Soul defense allowed all season.

About the Sharks: QB Bernard Morris is 8-3 as a starter since taking over in midseason for Omar Jacobs. Aaron Garcia was the starter last season when the Sharks won the ArenaBowl title … Morris threw seven interceptions in his two games this season vs. the Soul … Defensive back Micheaux Robinson, who started nine games for the Soul this season before being traded to Jacksonville for T.J. Langley, is out for the year with a knee injury … Terrance Smith led the league in kick-return yards (1,731) and led the Sharks in receiving yards (1,152) and TD catches (30) … Villanova product Brant Clouser is a starter on offensive line … The Sharks have won four in a row, including last week when they nearly blew a 27-point fourth-quarter lead vs. Georgia. Marco Capozzoli hit a 51-yard FG at the buzzer to rescue the Sharks.

About the Soul: Started sloppy in last week's first-round win, but eventually pulled it together and beat New Orleans, 66-53. Wide receiver Donovan Morgan credited QB Dan Raudabaugh with taking control of the huddle and settling things down … The Soul averaged 68.2 points per game in the regular season, easily tops in the AFL. Jacksonville averaged 48.1 … Philadelphia has won nine in a row, matching the franchise record set by the 2008 championship team that started 9-0.

Up next: ArenaBowl XXV in New Orleans on Friday, Aug. 10. The National Conference championship is Saturday when Utah visits Arizona at 10 p.m. Arizona is an eight-point favorite.

Picks: Soul, 61-45. Utah, 67-60.

— Ed Barkowitz