Valor Today
June 17, 2019 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Washington Valor News Release
Washington Valor wide receiver Jared Dangerfield
(Washington Valor)
TODAY'S STORYLINES:
Valor fall to Empire, 56-55, in first home loss of 2019
The Washington Valor (4-4) suffered their first home loss of the season, a 56-55 defeat at the hands of the Albany Empire (7-1) Saturday night at Capital One Arena. The Valor jumped out to a 34-7 lead in the first half, thanks to five early touchdowns from quarterback - and Offensive Player of the Game - Arvell Nelson, but were unable to contain the Albany offense in the second half.
"We had a chance to win at the end," Valor Head Coach Benji McDowell said. "Things happen. We will get better from it. This season is far from over."
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER OFF. PLAYER OF THE GAME DEF. PLAYER OF THE GAME
Empire WR Quentin Sims Valor QB Arvell Nelson Empire DB Tevin Homer
Nine receptions, 186 receiving yards and four touchdowns 23-34 passing, 262 passing yards and seven total touchdowns 10 total tackles (seven solo) and two pass break-ups
Balanced receiving attack drives Valor offense
Saturday against Albany, the Valor became the first team in the AFL this season to have five different receivers catch a touchdown pass in one game: Reggie Gray (2), Dezmon Epps (1), Jared Dangerfield (1), Josh Reese (1) and Anthony Parker (1).
"We just have five guys that are willing and capable to score at any moment," Valor quarterback Arvell Nelson said postgame. "I just try to get those guys the ball. We're going to continue to do that. Those are our playmakers."
Valor host Brigade Thursday night at Capital One Arena
The Valor are back at Capital One Arena for their second of three consecutive home games on Thursday, June 20, hosting the Baltimore Brigade (5-3) at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Washington and ESPN3. Baltimore defeated Washington, 59-51, in the teams' only prior meeting this season (Week 1).
SPOTLIGHT: COACHING STAFF
Benji McDowell - Head Coach
McDowell is in his third season with the Valor and his first full season as head coach. After serving as defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, McDowell was named interim head coach on May 16, 2018, after Washington started the season 0-4. Under McDowell's direction, the Valor registered wins against Albany, Baltimore and Philadelphia in the second half of the season en route to an ArenaBowl XXXI championship over the Brigade. Washington allowed just 46.7 points per game over the final four games of the season, including the postseason, the best mark in the league by nearly five points per game.
Cortez Stubbs - Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Backs
Stubbs is in his second season on the Valor coaching staff after a six-year indoor football playing career, which included stints with the Professional Indoor Football League's Columbus Lions (2012) and Alabama Hammers (2013), where he won a championship, and the AFL's Orlando Predators (2013-14), New Orleans Voodoo (2015) and Tampa Bay Storm (2016-17). Stubbs was born in Birmingham, Alabama and attended Concordia College in Selma, Alabama.
Jeremy Grier - Assistant Coach, Wide Receivers
Grier is in his second season with the Valor and fourth of his coaching career. Prior to his time in Washington, Grier was on staff with the AFL's New Orleans Voodoo (2015) and the Professional Indoor Football League's Alabama Hammers (2014). Grier's playing career spanned 10 seasons and included stops in the PIFL, af2 and AFL. Grier is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina and attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Kevin Huff - Assistant Coach, Quarterbacks
Huff is in his first season with the Valor and the 10th season of his coaching career, which has included stops at the high school, college and professional level. Huff was a two-time Division II All-American at Tuskegee University and was named Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year. Huff graduated from Tuskegee with a degree in History. His six-year indoor football career includes stops with the Tampa Bay Storm, Columbus Lions and Alabama Hammers.
Dionte Savage - Assistant Coach, Offensive Line
Savage is in his first season of coaching after three years playing in the AFL, most recently with Washington from 2017-18. Savage was named Second Team All-Arena in 2017 and won ArenaBowl XXXI with the Valor in 2018. Savage's playing career also included training camp appearances with the NFL's Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins in 2015. Savage played at the University of Oklahoma from 2013-14 and was named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 in 2014.
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 offense lines up against the Albany Empire |
 Washington Valor wide receiver Jared Dangerfield |
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