Valor Lose Heartbreaker to Soul

Saturday May 27, 2017

The Washington Valor (1-5) took the Philadelphia Soul (7-0) to the wire in a narrow but inspired, 48-47, defeat at Verizon Center. In his Valor debut, QB Sean Brackett led a late Washington charge throwing for 231 yards and five touchdowns in the place of the injured QB Erik Meyer.

In his fifth career, Brackett’s standout effort included a career-high 26 completions on 44 attempts. He has tossed for at least five touchdowns in three career games.

Brackett and WR Greg Carr were the story of the first half, connecting for three touchdowns including a 20-yard strike on the first possession of the game. Carr finished the game with 12 receptions for 131 yards and four touchdowns, all season highs.

A 28-28 stalemate at half, Philadelphia came out with the first two scores in the third quarter, the first on a Mykell Benson one-yard dive. Shortly after, Soul QB Dan Raudabaugh hit WR Darius Reynolds on a 28-yard slant to make the score 42-28. Raudabaugh finished 10-for-22 for 148 yards and five touchdowns.

The Valor charged back in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Soul, 19-6, to pull the game within one point on multiple occasions. Washington had the opportunity to tie the game on two occasions but were unable to convert on the extra-point attempts.

The Valor attempted a late onside kick but the Soul recovered and were able to runout the clock.

Next up for the Valor is the Cleveland Gladiators at Verizon Center on June 3. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised on CBS Sports Network.

KEY STAT: Valor QB Sean Brackett made his first AFL start since August 8, 2015, a span of 658 days. Brackett's last start was with the Las Vegas Outlaws, facing the Spokane Shock.

KEY MOMENT: With 41.5 seconds remaining in the game, WR Charles McClain scored a Valor rushing touchdown on a reverse to give Washington the opportunity to tie the game (48-47).

Offensive Player of the Game: Washington QB Sean Brackett

Defensive Player of the Game: Philadelphia LB Joe Goosby

MVP of the Game: Philadelphia QB Dan Raudabaugh