Valor Today
June 24, 2019 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Washington Valor News Release
Washington Valor wide receivers Jared Dangerfield and Reggie Gray
(Washington Valor)
Valor top Brigade, 42-35, on last-minute touchdown
The Washington Valor (5-4) defeated the Baltimore Brigade (5-4), 42-35, Thursday night at Capital One Arena. Valor wide receiver Josh Reese put Washington ahead when he recovered a loose ball following a missed field goal with just 14.9 seconds left in the game. Valor quarterback Arvell Nelson was named the game's Most Valuable Player for the fifth time this season, accounting for five total touchdowns, including four rushing touchdowns.
The win moves Washington into second place in the league standings, tied with the Brigade. The Valor are now 3-1 at home this season with two of their three remaining regular season games to be played at Capital One Arena.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER OFF. PLAYER OF THE GAME DEF. PLAYER OF THE GAME
Valor QB Arvell Nelson Valor WR Josh Reese Brigade DB Nias Martin
17-29 passing, 143 yards and five total touchdowns (four rushing) Five receptions, 56 receiving yards and the game-winning TD 12.5 total tackles (10 solo), including one tackle for loss
Nelson sets season-high rushing touchdown mark
Nelson scored 5+ total touchdowns for the seventh time in nine games time this season. His four rushing touchdowns were his most in a single game since running for five against Baltimore in ArenaBowl XXXI in 2018.
Reggie moves up the all-time ranks
Valor wide receiver Reggie Gray scored on the first possession of the game - a seven-yard touchdown reception from Nelson, giving him 11 receiving touchdowns on the season and a score in four consecutive games. The touchdown was also the 265th of Gray's career, moving the him into a tie for 9th on the AFL's all-time receiving touchdowns list.
Valor end three-game homestand next Saturday vs. A.C.
The Valor are back at Capital One Arena next Saturday, June 29, hosting the Atlantic City Blackjacks at 7 p.m. Washington won the team's only prior meeting this season, 41-34, in the Valor's home opener on May 11.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
McDowell, Special Olympian Tiffany Robinson share moment pregame
Prior to Thursday night's game, Tiffany Robinson, 19, a 40-time Special Olympic medal-winner and passionate Valor fan, presented one of her medals to head coach Benji McDowell and served as the game's co-captain as part of the night's pregame ceremonies. McDowell presented Robinson with a football autographed by the team.
Robinson, a native of Triangle, Virginia, currently competes in bocce, basketball and track and field; and has competed in bowling, tennis and soccer in the past. Robinson has competed in the Special Olympics since she was eight years old and has medaled every year since 2008.
"(The Robinson family) been coming to the games since the first game here," Valor Head Coach Benji McDowell said. "She's able to make probably half of the home games every year and every time I see her, she's smiling. I didn't know until this past offseason the type of athlete she was and how many medals she has won. Just talking to her, you can see why she's always got a smile on her face. She's always upbeat and able to bring that type of attitude and mentality to our guys. No matter what you're going through, you can always have fun, you can always be a winner, you can always inspire. She's been an inspiration to me and this team and I'm just excited for the team to have seen her today."
GAME INFORMTION:
Next game: vs. Atlantic City Blackjacks (Saturday, June 29 at 7 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 |
 Washington Valor wide receivers Jared Dangerfield and Reggie Gray |
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