Valor Fall, 53-42, to Empire in Home Opener
Published on May 11, 2018 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Washington Valor News Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Washington Valor were defeated, 53-42, by the Albany Empire on Friday night at Capital One Arena. Valor quarterback Warren Smith Jr. threw for a season-high 227 yards and five touchdowns. Empire quarterback Tommy Grady was named MVP for his seven-touchdown performance.
Albany found the end zone on the game's opening possession as quarterback Tommy Grady found wideout Malachi Jones for a 41-yard touchdown, putting the Empire up 6-0. Washington answered quickly, taking a 7-6 lead on a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Warren Smith Jr. to wide receiver TT Toliver. After Grady found former Valor wideout Greg Carr for a touchdown, Washington took back the lead on Toliver's second touchdown catch of the night, putting the Valor up 14-12 with 18 seconds left in the first quarter. Jones scored his second touchdown of the night, a 19-yard pass from Grady, giving Albany a 19-14 lead three minutes into the second quarter. Valor wide receiver Chris Duvalt notched his second receiving touchdown of the season with six minutes left in the second quarter, giving Washington a 21-19 lead. After another Grady passing touchdown, scored his first rushing touchdown of the season, giving Washington a 28-26 lead with 2:38 left in the first half. Albany answered, however, as Jones scored his third touchdown of the night - this one on the ground - to give the Empire a 32-28 lead heading into halftime.
Jones scored the only points of the third quarter - a 22-yard pass from Grady with 5:36 remaining in the quarter, giving Albany it's first double-digit lead of the game. Empire wideout Joe Hills scored his first touchdown of the night and Albany's third-straight to extend the lead over Washington to 46-28. Valor wide receiver Reggie Gray caught his third touchdown of the season to bring the Valor back within 11 points. Grady tossed his seventh touchdown of the night with 4:15 left in the contest, finding Joe Hills for the second time and giving Albany a 53-35 lead. Smith Jr. found wideout Josh Reese in the end zone to set the final score at 53-42.
MVP: ALB QB Tommy Grady - 16/24 passing, 257 yards and seven touchdowns
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: ALB WR Malachi Jones - 126 total yards and four total touchdowns
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: ALB LB Terrence Moore - Six total tackles and a fumble recovery
The Valor return to action next weekend, hosting the Baltimore Brigade on Saturday, May 19 at 3 p.m. at Capital One Arena. The game will be broadcast live on Monumental Sports Network, AFL Now and Facebook Watch.
Arena Football League Stories from May 11, 2018
- Valor Fall, 53-42, to Empire in Home Opener - Washington Valor
- Empire Spoil Valor's Home Opener - Albany Empire
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