Baltimore Defeats Philadelphia 45-30
Sunday May 26, 2019
Brigade keep Soul to just 3 points in the fourth, Boyd named MVP
BALTIMORE, MD – The Baltimore Brigade (3-2) defeated the Philadelphia Soul (2-3) , 45-30, at Royal Farms Arena on Sunday afternoon. Brigade quarterback Shane Boyd was named the game’s Most Valuable Player with 17 completed passes for 154 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Defensive back Josh Victorian was named Defensive Player of the Game, recording 5.5 total tackles (five solo) and five pass breakups.
“We knew it was going to be a very physical game,” Brigade Head Coach Omarr Smith said. “Philadelphia is well coached and has a lot of talent. I am pleased with how our offense played and our defense made key plays when we needed it.”
Philadelphia took a 6-0 lead on the game’s opening possession after a successful blocked kick from defensive lineman Darryl Cato-Bishop. Baltimore shaved off about seven minutes from the clock before offensive lineman Rodney Austin pushed through for a one-yard touchdown. The Soul and Brigade traded scores throughout the first half with Brigade wideouts Joe Hills and Brandon Collins each bringing in a touchdown. Hills recorded four receptions for 37 yards and one touchdown, pushing his AFL record to 97 consecutive games with a receiving touchdown. Collins hit the 2,000 career receiving yards milestone and tallied six receptions for 65 yards and one touchdown. Brigade led by one at the half, 21-20.
During the third quarter, fullback Rory Nixon rushed the ball 10 yards before jumping over a Philadelphia defender into the endzone for a touchdown. Boyd found wideout Milton Williams III for a touchdown to give Baltimore a 35-27 lead with a little over four minutes left in the third quarter. Williams reached a new career milestone by passing 1,000 career receiving yards. Baltimore had a 35-27 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Nearly seven minutes passed before any points were added to the board in the fourth. A made field goal by kicker TC Stevens extended Baltimore’s lead 38-27 with 8:06 left on the clock. Baltimore only allowed Philadelphia to score three points in the fourth quarter. A block by defensive lineman Robert Hayes forced Philadelphia to kick a field goal during their fourth down. With only four minutes left in the game, Hills recovered an on-side kick at the Philadelphia eight-yard line. Boyd rushed in, just one yard shy of the score but Nixon carried it in for his second touchdown of the night. Philadelphia had the chance to sneak points on the board but defensive stops made by Victorian, Hayes, and defensive backs Kenric Young and Jamal Robinson made it impossible for Philadelphia to find the endzone, sealing Baltimore victory at 45-30.
The Brigade are back on the road for their second away game of the season on Saturday, June 1. Baltimore takes on the Atlantic City Blackjacks at 3:30 p.m. at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. The game will broadcast live on NBC Sports Washington and streamed on ESPN3.
MVP: BAL QB Shane Boyd, 17 passes, 154 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: PHI QB Dan Raudabaugh, 14 passes, 220 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: BAL DB Josh Victorian, 5.5 total tackles (5 solo), 5 pass breakups
Brigade Head Coach Omarr Smith on game in general
“Only thing we can control is how we play, how we prepare, and how we execute. I knew with both of us coming in at 2-2 the game would be physical, and I have the upmost respect for them. We found a way to have more points on the board at the end of the game and I am proud of the way we played.”
QB Shane Boyd on game in general
“It was a great game for us. We were well prepared for a physical game. I’m proud of our guys and how we fought tonight.”
ABOUT THE BALTIMORE BRIGADE
The AFL’s Baltimore Brigade are owned and operated by Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which is one of the largest integrated sports and entertainment companies in the country with one of the most diverse partnership groups in all of sports. MSE owns and operates seven professional sports teams: the Brigade, 2018 ArenaBowl Champion Washington Valor, NBA's Washington Wizards, NBA G League’s Capital City Go-Go, NBA 2K League’s Wizards District Gaming, WNBA’s Washington Mystics and the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals. Monumental Sports & Entertainment is also co-owner of aXiomatic, which has controlling interest in global esports franchise Team Liquid, and owns and operates Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. Monumental Sports & Entertainment also manages MedStar Capitals Iceplex, the state-of-the-art training facility for the Capitals and EagleBank Arena on George Mason University's campus. In conjunction with the District of Columbia and Events DC, MSE is a partner in a new sports and entertainment facility in Southeast DC on the St. Elizabeth’s East campus that opened in September 2018.
