NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Tampa Bay Storm (6-1) vs. Washington Valor (1-6) Game Notes

June 6, 2017 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


The Tampa Bay Storm (6-1) will host the Washington Valor (1-6) this Saturday, June 10 at AMALIE® Arena on AMALIE Motor Oil Field. The Storm will be able to clinch a berth in the 2017 Arena Football League postseason with a win over the Valor. The team will also be looking to extend its winning streak to six games, its longest winning streak since 2010 when the team made an appearance in ArenaBowl XXIII. Fans can listen to Darek Sharp and Ian Beckles make the call for 1250 AM WHNZ. The game will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET.

Attached please find game notes for the Tampa Bay Storm and the Washington Valor. Further materials will be distributed later in the week.

Upcoming Tampa Bay Storm Practice Schedule

Date Location Time

Wednesday - 6/7 AMALIE Arena 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Thursday - 6/8 AMALIE Arena 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Friday - 6/9 No Availability

Saturday - 6/10 Storm vs. Washington Valor (AMALIE Arena) 7:00 p.m.

AT A GLANCE... MATCHUP: Washington Valor (1-6) at Tampa Bay Storm (6-1)

DATE: Sat., June 10, 2017 KICKOFF: 7 p.m. EST LOCATION: Amalie Arena (Tampa, Florida) TV: CBS Sports Network OFFICIALS: Bradley Brunet (Ref), Rick Lowe (Ump), John Drayton (HL), Rg Detillier (LJ), Jim Corpora (BJ)

GAME RECAPS WEEK 1:

VALOR TOP BRIGADE 51-38 FOR FRANCHISE'S FIRST WIN

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In franchise debuts for both organizations, the Washington Valor withstood a Baltimore comeback led by Brigade rookie quarterback Shane Carden to capture a 51-38 win over their beltway rival. The Valor opened the game on a 27-0 run, highlighted by the quarterback-wide receiver duo of Erik Meyer and Mike Washington, who connected for three touchdowns through the air.

"It was an exciting game," Meyer said. "The crowd was live. I think they said about 15,000 people, so it was loud in there. They were just as much a part of that win as we were, so it was awesome to be in front of the home crowd- live, loud, it was an exciting win."

Meyer wasted no time getting the Valor on the board early in the first quarter. A 34-yard pass to Washington marked the first scoring play of the 2017 season and gave the Valor a 7-0 lead just over two minutes into the contest. Washington extended their lead to 14 when James Gordon punched in a two-yard run for the team's second score of the night. The Valor closed out a strong first quarter as Meyer found Washington yet again, this time for eight yards. Meyer led the Valor to a 20-0 lead and finished the opening frame 7-8 for 67 yards and two touchdowns.

The Valor carried their momentum into the second quarter, turning a Tracy Belton interception into another touchdown - the third connection of the night between Meyer and Washington, giving the Valor a 27-0 lead with just over 10 minutes remaining in the first half. Rookie quarterback and former East Carolina Pirate Shane Carden entered the game for the Brigade, replacing Chase Cartwright. On his first AFL possession, Carden found veteran wide receiver Reggie Gray for a 27-yard touchdown, cutting the Valor lead to 27-6. Antoine "TT" Toliver answered for the Valor, taking a reverse for a three-yard touchdown and giving Washington a 34-6 lead going into halftime.

Less than a minute into the third quarter, Carden found former Maryland Terrapin and Baltimore Raven Laquan Williams for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 34-13. Carden proved to be a threat on the ground as well, notching his first of two rushing touchdowns with 8:07 to play in the third quarter, cutting the Valor lead to 34-20. Washington extended their lead to 37-20 with a 27-yard field goal with just under three minutes to play in the third quarter.

The Brigade's comeback continued when Dexter Davis recovered and returned a Valor fumble 44 yards for a touchdown, bringing the score to 37-26, Washington. Toliver hauled in his second touchdown of the night, a 20-yarder from Meyer with 6:03 remaining in the game to give the Valor a 44-26 cushion. Carden tallied his second rushing touchdown of the night with 40 seconds remaining, which was quickly answered by a Bernard Morris seven-yard touchdown for the Valor, extending their lead to 51-32. Williams hauled in his second touchdown of the night with seven seconds remaining to set the 51-38 final score.

The Valor have their first bye week of the season next week, but return to action on Sat., April 22, hosting the Philadelphia Soul at 7 p.m. at the Verizon Center. The Brigade travel to Cleveland next weekend to take on the Gladiators on Sat., April 15 at 7 p.m.

WEEK 3:

VALOR FALL TO DEFENDING CHAMPION SOUL 49-31 Mike Washington goes for 125 yards and two touchdowns in loss

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Washington Valor dropped their first game of the season Saturday night, a 49-31 loss to the defending champion Philadelphia Soul at Verizon Center. Valor QB Erik Meyer and WR Mike Washington continued to display an early-season rapport, connecting for two more first half touchdowns.

"Good first half for us," Valor Head Coach Dean Cokinos said. "The game is all about possessions, so as we saw in the second half, they made more plays than we did. The game is about controlling the football and when you give it up on offense the game turns quickly."

The Valor started strong, opening the game on a 14-0 run, sparked by a 4th-and-inches touchdown run from backup QB Bernard Morris on the team's opening drive. Washington followed with its first defensive touchdown in team history as DB Tracy Belton intercepted and returned Soul QB Dan Raudabaugh's pass on the 8-yard-line. Philadelphia got on the board with 8:27 in the first quarter when Raudabaugh hit receiver Darius Reynolds for the 34-yard touchdown. Washington closed the first quarter on the first of Mike Washington's two touchdowns of the game, a 16- yard reception he gathered off a deflection of teammate T.T. Toliver's hands.

The team's traded scores and the Valor entered halftime with a 31-28 lead. Washington struggled to generate offense in the second half while Soul WR Shaun Kauleinamoku hauled in two second half touchdowns, leading Philadelphia to a 49-31 final.

"We just didn't make enough plays, but we're going to learn," Cokinos explained. "We'll learn from this game and we'll move on to Cleveland next week. It was a good second step for us as an organization."

Next for the Valor is the franchise's first road game. Washington heads to Cleveland for a matchup with the Gladiators with kickoff set for 7 p.m. on Fri. April 28 at Quicken Loans Arena. The game will be broadcast on Monumental Sports Network.

KEY STAT: Philadelphia scored touchdowns on all three of their red zone opportunities, while Washington managed only one touchdown and one field goal in five red zone chances.

KEY MOMENT: With 0:56 remaining in the third quarter, Soul defensive back James Romain returned a TC Steven missed field goal attempt 51 yards for a Soul touchdown, giving Philadelphia its first lead of the game, 28-24.

WEEK 4:

VALOR FALL TO GLADIATORS IN CLEVELAND

Erik Meyer throws for 300th career touchdown in Washington loss

CLEVELAND, OH. - The Valor (1-2) dropped their second game of the season, 48-34, to the Cleveland Gladiators (1-3) Friday night at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. Gladiators QB and Offensive Player of the Game Arvell Nelson led the way for the Gladiators, tallying five total touchdowns in the game. Valor QB Erik Meyer's four-touchdown performance was highlighted by a nine-yard score to WR Roger Jackson in the second quarter that marked his 300th career touchdown pass. Meyer, putting him in a class of just 25 AFL quarterbacks to ever accomplish the feat.

"We played a really good first half as a team," Valor Head Coach Dean Cokinos said. "We turned the ball over in the second half. It's really hard to win in arena football when you turn the ball over like that."

Cleveland got on the board first when WR Quentin Sims capped a three-play drive with a six-yard touchdown run, giving the Gladiators and early 7-0 lead. On the following Valor possession, Meyer through an interception, his third of the season, on the Valor's first drive of the game. After a short return, the Gladiators took over at their own 18-yard line. Washington got the ball back after DL Brandon Sesay stripped Cleveland QB Arvell Nelson in the midst of his passing motion. DL Everett Dawkins scooped up the ball for the Valor, his second fumble recovery of the season. Meyer found WR TT Toliver for a six-yard touchdown. TC Stevens converted on the extra point attempt to tie the game at seven with 35.8 remaining in the opening quarter.

The Gladiators scored the first points of the second quarter as Nelson gave the Gladiators a 14-7 lead with 11:31 remaining in the second quarter when he scrambled for a five-yard touchdown. With 9:15 remaining in the frame, Meyer found WR Roger Jackson for nine-yard touchdown that knotted the game up at 14. The score marked the 300th career passing touchdown for Erik Meyer, making him only the 25th man to complete the feat in AFL history.

With just over six minutes remaining in the second quarter, Sims had a touchdown wiped off the board when he was called for offensive pass interference. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty bumped the Gladiators back to their own territory. Cleveland managed to overcome, however.

Nelson found Sims for an 18-yard gain on third-and-long just a play before WR Brandon Thompkins hauled in an eight-yard score to put the Gladiators up 21-14.

The Valor took their first lead of the game when Erik Meyer found WR Greg Carr for an eight-yard touchdown. The kick was no good, so the Valor held a 27-21 lead with 30 seconds remaining in the half.

Cleveland scored the first points of the second half as Nelson broke a 43-yard touchdown run that tied the game at 27. The Valor turned the ball over on downs on the ensuing possession, setting Cleveland up for two-play drive ending in a one-yard touchdown rush by OL Phillipkeith Manley.

Cleveland extended its lead to 41-27 when Sims scored his first receiving and second overall touchdown of the game, an eight-yard catch and run from Nelson.

With 10:39 left in the game, Meyer found Carr for their second touchdown connection of the game, bringing the score to 41-34, Cleveland. The score was Meyer's fourth through the air of the night.

Up one score with just over six minutes remaining, on fourth-and-fifteen at their own 11-yard line, Nelson evaded potential tacklers, gathered himself and delivered a 39-yard strike to WR Collin Taylor, giving the Gladiators a 48-34 lead. The Valor go into Gladiator territory on the following drive, but progress stalled as the offense turned the ball over on downs with 1:40 remaining in the game, where Cleveland ran the clock down to zero, sealing a win.

KEY STAT: With a nine-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, Valor QB Erik Meyer became the 25th player in AFL history to throw for 300 career touchdowns.

KEY MOMENT: Gladiators QB Arvell Nelson's 39-yard touchdown on fourth-and-fifteen with 1:40 remaining in the game put the Gladiators up 48-34, solidifying the win.

WEEK 6: VALOR LOSE TO STORM 41-33

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Washington Valor (1-3) lost a heartbreaker 41-33 to the Tampa Bay Storm (4-1). Valor QB Erik Meyer was 17 for 29 for 183 yards and five touchdowns, hitting five different receivers. WR Greg Carr led the receiving corps with four receptions for 57 yards and one touchdown.

Storm QB Randy Hippeard was named the game's Most Valuable Player after going 20 for 31 for 205 yards and five touchdowns. He also added 11 rushes for 23 yards and one touchdown.

"We scored on every possession on offense which was a big improvement for us," said Valor Head Coach Dean Cokinos. "Our guys played really hard, we had a chance to tie the game at the end but we had miscues. There are reasons why you win or lose and we will address them. "

DL Brandon Sesay who earned Defensive Player of the Game honors, led the Valor defense with seven tackles and 2.5 sacks for a loss of eight yards.

Washington will travel to Tampa for a rematch with the Storm on Sat., May 20 at 7 p.m. at Amalie Arena. The game will be broadcast on Monumental Sports Network.

KEY STAT: Tampa Bay did not fumble the ball while Washington had three.

KEY MOMENT: Tampa recovered a fumble by Washington late in the fourth quarter.

WEEK 7:

WASHINGTON DROPS 53-47 FINAL TO TAMPA BAY

Toliver eclipses 2,000 career points as Valor fall to Storm

TAMPA, FL - The Tampa Bay Storm defeated the Washington Valor, 53-47, in a back-and-forth contest Saturday night at Amalie Arena. Valor WR and Offensive Player of the Game Roger Jackson led the way for Washington with 137 yards and two touchdowns through the air while the game's MVP, Storm WR Joe Hills, led the way for Tampa Bay with 123 receiving yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner with just three seconds remaining.

"We're growing," Valor Head Coach Dean Cokinos said. "We've got to keep moving. That's the game. This is arena ball. It so often comes down to the last possession and just have to learn and be able to win one of these games."

On the game's opening kickoff, Storm WR Kendrick Ings dodged his way through the Washington coverage team and broke free, but lost control of the ball inside the five-yard line just prior to scoring. The Valor recovered the ball and capitalized on the mishap, taking an early 7-0 lead when QB Erik Meyer took a one-yard run into the end zone on the ensuing possession. The Storm responded with a 12-yard touchdown pass from QB Randy Hippeard to WR Lamark Brown, tying the game at seven. The score remained tied after one quarter, with the Valor accumulating over 10 minutes of possession time in the opening frame.

Meyer found TE Anthony Parker on the second play of the second quarter, giving the Valor a 14-0 lead. The score marked the first points of the season for Parker. Tampa Bay again answered the bell, this time on a Dexter Jackson one-yard touchdown run with 11:05 remaining to tie the game at 14. With 6:17 remaining in the half, Meyer found Jackson for a 37-yard strike to give the Valor a 20-14 lead. The extra point attempt was blocked. The play was Jackson's longest reception of the season and his third touchdown on the year.

History was made with 50 seconds remaining in the half as Valor WR T.T. Toliver found the end zone on a 29-yard pass from Meyer, giving the veteran receiver 2,002 career points. Only five players in league history have crossed the 2,000-point threshold. The score gave the Valor a 26-14 lead. Hippeard found Hills for a 35-yard touchdown with 22 seconds remaining in the half, cutting the Valor lead to 26-20.

After the Valor fumbled the opening kickoff of the second half, the Storm tied the game at 26 on a five-yard pass from Hippeard to Ings.

Washington answered on its next possession, however, as Meyer found WR Julius Gregory for a 10-yard touchdown.

• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League message board...

Arena Football League Stories from June 6, 2017


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Tampa Bay Storm Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central