Valor Defeat Soul, 48-41, in Philadelphia
June 9, 2019 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Washington Valor News Release
PHILADELPHIA, PA. - The Washington Valor (4-3) topped the Philadelphia Soul (3-4), 48-41, Sunday afternoon at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The Valor scored three times in the fourth quarter, including a one-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Arvell Nelson with 20 seconds remaining to seal the victory. With the win, Washington is now tied with Baltimore for the second-best record in the league.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
Valor QB Arvell Nelson
Valor WR Douglas McNeil III
Soul DB James Romain
18-28 passing, 239 passing yards and seven total touchdowns
Four receptions for 27 yards and three touchdowns
Nine total tackles (all solo) and one interception
VALOR NOTES & QUOTES
Nelson threw for six passing touchdowns, his fourth game this season with 5+ passing touchdowns, including both games against Philadelphia.
Valor wide receiver Douglas McNeill III caught four passes for 27 yards and three touchdowns, his third consecutive game with multiple receiving touchdowns.
Valor wideout Reggie Gray caught four passes for 59 yards and two touchdowns, including a pivotal score with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter. Gray has now scored 2+ touchdowns in four games this season.
Nelson accounted for all seven of Washington's touchdowns against Philadelphia (six passing, one rushing) and has now accounted for 41 of the Valor's 42 touchdowns scored this season.
Valor defensive back Jadar Johnson registered a forced fumble and an interception to go along with three tackles (all solo). Defensive back Svante Davenport led the team with six tackles (all solo).
Late in the fourth quarter, linebacker Jimmy Gordon recorded his second sack of the season which doubled as his 50th career solo tackle. The sack was the first given up by Philadelphia this season.
VALOR HEAD COACH BENJI MCDOWELL
On the game:
"Being able to score on all three possessions in the fourth quarter is what made the difference. We managed to run down the clock and find the end zone when we needed to. We have to continue to be consistent be consistent of offense."
On the defense:
"The defense played great today. Getting to the quarterback and creating turnovers were crucial. We are starting to find and identity defensively, so we just have to stick to that, and good things will happen."
On defensive back Jadar Johnson:
"Jadar just always finds a way to be around the ball. Teams go at him because he's a rookie, but whenever he has a chance to make a play, he's going to. He creates plays. That's just who he is."
NEXT TIME OUT
Next weekend, the Valor return to Capital One Arena for their first home game in nearly a month, hosting the Albany Empire on Saturday, June 15 at 7 p.m. Saturday will be the teams' first meeting in Washington, D.C. this season.
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Arena Football League Stories from June 9, 2019
- Soul Fall to Valor - Philadelphia Soul
- Valor Defeat Soul, 48-41, in Philadelphia - Washington Valor
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