Valor Today
May 13, 2019 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Washington Valor News Release
Washington Valor quarterback Arvell Nelson
(Washington Valor)
Valor defeat Blackjacks, 41-34, in home opener
The Valor (1-2) earned their first win of the season, defeating the Atlantic City Blackjacks (1-2), 41-34, Saturday night at Capital One Arena. Valor quarterback Arvell Nelson surpassed 10,000 career passing yards early in the first quarter, totaled five touchdowns and was named the game's MVP.
"It always feels good to get a win, especially in front of your home crowd," Nelson said. "It was a special night. We put 2018 in the past and now we are moving forward."
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
OFF. PLAYER OF THE GAME
DEF. PLAYER OF THE GAME
Valor QB Arvell Nelson
Valor WR Jared Dangerfield
Blackjacks DB LaRoche Jackson
21-31 passing, 178 yards and five total touchdowns
10 receptions, 85 yards and one touchdown
9.5 total tackles (nine solo)
Prior to kickoff, the Valor raised their ArenaBowl XXXI banner, commemorating last season's title run:
Dangerfield continues streak of record receiving performances
Valor wideout Jared Dangerfield led the league with 10 receptions in Week 3, going for 85 yards and a touchdown. Dangerfield, who leads the AFL with 26 catches this season, has now tied or set career highs in receptions each of the last three weeks.
Nelson's dual scoring threat
Since joining the Valor midway through the 2018 season, Nelson has recorded five games with 3+ passing touchdowns and 2+ rushing touchdowns, including Saturday's matchup with Atlantic City.
June 10, 2018 vs. PHI: 4 passing, 2 rushing
July 14, 2018 vs. ALB: 6 passing, 2 rushing
July 21, 2018 at ALB: 5 passing, 2 rushing
July 28, 2018 at BAL: 3 passing, 5 rushing
May 11, 2019 vs. AC: 3 passing, 2 rushing
Valor set single-game rushing records
The Valor set single-game franchise records in rushing attempts (12) and rushing yards (62) Saturday against Atlantic City, outrushing the Blackjacks by 52 yards.
Washington hosts Philadelphia Saturday afternoon
The Valor (1-2) are back in action this Saturday, May 18 against the Philadelphia Soul (2-1) at 3:30 p.m. at Capital One Arena. The game will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Washington and ESPN3.
POSITION SPOTLIGHT: DEFENSIVE BACKS
Svante Davenport - #24 - DB
Davenport is playing in his second AFL season after spending 2018 with the Valor, appearing in five games for Washington and winning Defensive Player of the Game for his two-interception performance in ArenaBowl XXXI. Davenport's prior pro experience came with the NAL's Monterrey Steel and Lehigh Valley Steelhawks.
Oshay Dunmore - #14 - DB
Dunmore joined the Valor for the final six games of the 2018 season and played in all three of the team's postseason games en route to ArenaBowl XXXI. Dunmore attended Oregon and Illinois State before finishing his college career at Southern Oregon, where he majored in political science with a minor in communications. In high school, Dunmore was a two-time state champion in the triple jump and one-time state champion in the long jump.
Jadar Johnson - #27 - DB
Johnson is playing in his first season in the AFL after a four-year career at Clemson that included honors of First-Team All-ACC and team captain during his senior year. Johnson tallied nine tackles and a forced fumble against Alabama in the 2016 National Championship.
Marrio Norman - #21 - DB
A two-time First Team All-Arena defensive back, Norman is playing in his eighth season in the AFL and his first with the Valor. Norman spent 2018 with the Albany Empire, recording 67.5 total tackles and three interceptions. In college, Norman was named First Team All-Big South after tallying 53 total tackles and five interceptions during his senior season at Coastal Carolina, splitting time between cornerback and safety. Marrio is the brother of Washington Redskins cornerback, Josh Norman.
Fredrick Obi - #5 - DB
Obi, named Second Team All-Arena in 2016 and 2017 and ArenaBowl champion in 2015 and 2018, is playing in his fifth season in the AFL and his second with Washington. Obi registered a career-high 91.5 total tackles and five interceptions during the 2016 season with the LA Kiss.
GAME INFORMTION:
Week 4: vs. Philadelphia Soul (Sat., May 18 at 3:30 p.m. at Capital One Arena)
TICKETS:
Full season ticket memberships are currently on sale for the 2019 season and start as low as $15 per game. For additional information about joining the Gridiron 365 full season ticket membership club, as well as other group and all-inclusive ticket packages, please call the Valor Ticket Sales office at 202-661-5005 or e-mail ticketsales@washvalor.com.
Images from this story
 Washington Valor quarterback Arvell Nelson |
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