Valor Top Destroyers, 56-50, in Regular-Season Finale
July 20, 2019 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Washington Valor News Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Washington Valor (7-5) defeated the Columbus Destroyers (1-11), 56-50, Saturday afternoon at Capital One Arena. Valor quarterback Arvell Nelson led the Washington offense, accounting for eight total touchdowns - six passing and two rushing.
The Valor clinched their spot in the postseason in last week's win over Baltimore. Playoff seeding and scheduling will be finalized at the conclusion of the Week 13 matchups. Information regarding the Valor's postseason opponent, game dates and kickoff times will be communicated when they are available.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER | OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME | DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
Valor QB Arvell Nelson | Destroyers QB Kyle Rowley | Valor DB Fredrick Obi
VALOR NOTES & QUOTES
Nelson recorded his fourth game this season with 3+ rushing touchdowns and 2+ rushing touchdowns and now has eight such games since joining the team midway through last season.
Valor wideout Douglas McNeil III added to his team-leading receiving touchdown total with a 19-yard score midway through the second quarter. McNeil III now has 13 receiving touchdowns on the season.
Valor defensive back Fredrick Obi recorded an interception on the first possession of the game, his first of the season, and was named Defensive Player of the Game.
Valor wide receiver Jared Dangerfield recorded his first multi-touchdown game of the season, tallying his fourth and fifth receiving scores of the season.
Washington finishes the regular season with seven wins, a new franchise record.
With the win, the Valor finish 2-0 against Columbus this season.
VALOR HEAD COACH BENJI MCDOWELL
On the crowd's impact on the game:
"Just having those fans in the arena means a lot...It really has an impact on the game. When you have the crowd cheering, when you make plays and they react, or when something doesn't go right and they boo - that lets you know they're still there and still with you. When our guys hear the fans supporting them and cheering for them - that's huge."
On the importance of the win:
"We really needed to get the win to put us over .500 and to give us the opportunity to possibly be [the #2 seed]. I know that it really doesn't matter if you're #2 or #3 because we're going to play the same team, but to be able to say that we were above .500, that's a big deal."
VALOR DEFENSIVE BACK FREDRICK OBI
On being Defensive Player of the Game:
"It feels great. This got us a little extra momentum going into the playoffs. You never want to let up. Despite their record, that's a good team over there. They were going to fight hard and we knew that, so it was just good to battle all the way through."
On Valor QB Arvell Nelson leading the league in several stat categories and possibly being an MVP frontrunner:
"The proof is in the pudding. His stats speak for themselves. He's an awesome player. When he's out there he's a difference-maker and we're going to ride with him at all times."
2019 PLAYOFFS
The 2019 postseason will kick off with a pair of home-and-home series between the top four teams in the league (#1 vs. #4 and #2 vs. #3) with games played on the weekends of July 26 and August 2. Teams will advance to ArenaBowl XXXII based on the aggregate score of the two games played. Unlike the first round of the playoffs, ArenaBowl XXXII will be a traditional single-game matchup on Sunday, August 11 at 3 p.m. ArenaBowl XXXII will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.
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Arena Football League Stories from July 20, 2019
- Empire End Regular Season with Blowout Victory over Soul - Albany Empire
- Soul Drop Regular Season Finale; Will Play Valor in First Round of Postseason - Philadelphia Soul
- Valor Top Destroyers, 56-50, in Regular-Season Finale - Washington Valor
- Valiant Effort by Destroyers Falls Just Short in Season Finale Loss to Valor, 56-50 - Columbus Destroyers
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