Valor Game Preview: A Storm's Rolling In
Jon Stark
Friday May 12, 2017
WASHINGTON - The Washington Valor (1-2) are back after their second bye week, they’ll square off against the Tampa Bay Storm (3-1) at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 13th inside of the Phone Booth. The game will broadcast live on CBS Sports Network.
The Storm blew through Baltimore last weekend for the Brigade's home opener. They hung on to secure a 62-55 victory and also walked away with both AFL Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week awards. Washington will have to hang on themselves and find a way to overcome their 2nd half struggles if they're looking to end the night with a W. This is the second time this season in which two Tampa players took the weekly honors, also making this quarterback Randy Hippeard's second time as well. That's a lot twos.
Hippeard threw for 285 yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions last week, completing 77% of his passes and helping his team to their first three-game win streak since 2014. Wide receiver Joe Hills hauled in four of those TD, that marks 72 consecutive games with a score for Hills. Hills also leads the league in receptions and touchdowns, Valor defensive backs should definitely keep an eye on him going into this game, maybe this will be Tracy Belton's chance for another interception?
After more than two weeks of rest there's hope that Valor WR Mike Washington has put that lower body injury behind him and will get back on the field to aid Toliver, Carr and company. Carr broke 100 yards in Cleveland on nine receptions and hauled in two touchdowns. Having two or three wideouts putting up those numbers will be necessary against Tampa Bay as they've been doing the same. With a clever game plan Coach Coke may be able to upset his former team, if you remember, Cokinos was assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Storm last season before taking the job as Washington's head coach.
Don't forget you can get to Verizon Center early and take advantage of Valor Hour from 6-7pm, that's $4 draft beer specials at designated stands. It's also #StandWithPink Night, raising awareness for breast cancer. Wear a pink shirt or hat or maybe a pink ribbon, the idea dates back to 90's, you can read more about why we wear pink at The Pink Ribbon Story. The first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a #StandWithUs Breast Cancer Awareness shirt.
