Empire Take One-Point Lead in Home-And-Home Aggregate Scoring Playoff Series: by the Numbers
July 15, 2018 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Albany Empire News Release
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2018
CONTACT:
Jordan Lomaestro
JLomaestro@TheAlbanyEmpire.com
EMPIRE TAKE ONE-POINT LEAD IN HOME-AND-HOME AGGREGATE SCORING PLAYOFF SERIES: BY THE NUMBERS
The top-seeded Albany Empire (9-4) defeated the fourth-seeded Washington Valor (2-11) to take a one-point lead in the home-and-home playoff series with a 57-56 Saturday night in overtime at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC in front of a crowd of 5,160. The two teams square off next Saturday, July 21, at 7:30 pm at the Times Union Center in Albany to wrap up the second game of the playoff series.
SCORE BY QUARTER 1 2 3 4 OT FINAL
ALBANY 14 7 14 14 8 57
WASHINGTON 14 7 7 21 7 56
The game's MVP, Tommy Grady continued where he had left off in the regular season by tallying 25 completions on 39 attempts for 340 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Grady connected with his top two receivers all night long. Rookie receiver Malachi Jones led the way in his postseason debut with 11 catches for 167 yards and 4 touchdowns. The league's regular season touchdown reception leader, Joe Hills, had another strong outing with 9 catches for 114 yards and 2 touchdowns, including the final touchdown in overtime. Receiver Greg Carr joined the scoring action with 1 catch for 8 yards and 1 touchdown, as well as catching the Empire two-point conversion attempt to seal the victory in overtime. Receiver Collin Taylor chipped in 3 catches for 34 yards while rookie receiver Jordan Williams added 1 catch for 17 yards.
Leading the way on defense jack linebacker Terence Moore who had a team-high 7.5 total tackles on the night. Defensive back Arthur Hobbs added 7 tackles of his own to lead the Empire backfield. Defensive back Varmah Sonie was a menace all night long chipping in 4.5 tackles. Defensive tackle Brandon Sesay led the Albany defensive front with 3.5 total tackles, including 1 sack.
The Empire return home to face the Washington Valor in the second game of the home-and-home playoff series on Saturday, July 21, at 7:30 pm at the Times Union Center. Albany holds a 1-point lead in the aggregate score over Washington and would secure a spot in ArenaBowl XXXI with another victory over the fourth seeded Valor.
Arena Football League Stories from July 15, 2018
- Soul Drop Playoff Series Opener - Philadelphia Soul
- Brigade Top Soul, 57-45, in Game 1 - Baltimore Brigade
- Empire Take One-Point Lead in Home-And-Home Aggregate Scoring Playoff Series: by the Numbers - Albany Empire
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