Valor Fall, 47-23, to Empire in Teams' First-Ever Meeting
Published on May 5, 2018 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Washington Valor News Release
ALBANY, NY - The Washington Valor were defeated, 47-23, by the Albany Empire on Saturday night at Times Union Center in the first-ever meeting between the two franchises. Valor wide receiver Rod Windsor was named Offensive Player of the Game for his nine-catch, 79-yard and two-touchdown performance.
The Empire got on the board first when wide receiver Joe Hills won a jump ball at the goal line, giving Albany a 7-0 lead two minutes into the game. Washington tied the game at seven when Windsor hauled in a six-yard pass from quarterback Warren Smith Jr. After Empire quarterback Tommy Grady's second touchdown pass of the night, Windsor and Smith Jr. connected again, giving the Valor a 15-14 lead with just under six minutes left in the half. Consecutive Albany touchdowns, including a Malachi Jones rushing score as time expired in the half, gave the Empire a 28-15 lead at half.
On the opening play of the second half, Smith Jr. was intercepted by Empire defensive back Marrio Norman and returned for a touchdown, extending the Albany lead to 34-15. Hills caught his third touchdown of the night with 2:20 left in the third quarter, putting Albany up 40-15. Albany made it 47-15 when wide receiver Collin Taylor caught a deep pass off the net in the end zone. Valor wideout Reggie Gray found the end zone and converted the two-point conversion with under 10 seconds left, setting the final score at 47-23.
MVP: ALB QB Tommy Grady: 20-29 passing, 221 yards and five touchdowns
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: WAS WR Rod Windsor: nine catches 79 yards and two touchdowns
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: ALB DB Marrio Norman: nine total tackles and two interceptions
The Valor open their 2018 home schedule next Friday, May 11 at 7 p.m. at Capital One Arena, taking on the Albany Empire for the second-straight week.
Arena Football League Stories from May 5, 2018
- Albany Empire Routs Valor 47-23 - Albany Empire
- Valor Fall, 47-23, to Empire in Teams' First-Ever Meeting - Washington Valor
- Soul Fall in Week 4: by the Numbers - Philadelphia Soul
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