Valor Game Preview: One Last Stop At Wells
Jon Stark
Saturday July 15, 2017
PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Washington Valor (1-9) have one more stop on the road before finishing out the season in the DMV, meeting the Philadelphia Soul (10-1) inside Wells Fargo Center at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 15th. The game will broadcast live on CBS Sports Network. Philly leads the season series 2-0. The Valor must win out to keep any playoff hopes alive.
A drive up to Philly for the final meeting of the regular season between the Valor and Soul, that's what's on the agenda this weekend. Last time out Washington dropped a heartbreaker to the Storm 55-51, this week they hope to finally snap their long losing streak. Quarterback Sean Brackett channeled his inner Spider-man in that loss, running one up the wall and into the end zone for a touchdown, also bumping his passer rating up yet again to 108. Defensive back Tracy Belton's secondary skills are second to none, he picked up his 50th career interception against the Storm in Week 13 and will be scanning for number 51, already picking off QB Dan Raudabaugh earlier this season, he'll be a major key in this match up against his former team.
Philly took their first L of the season last week against the Baltimore Brigade after winning 17 in a row including ArenaBowl XXIX, the last team to accomplish this was the 2013-14 Arizona Rattlers who won 18 in a row including an ArenaBowl win as well. The Valor offensive line will have their hands full protecting Brackett from Soul linebacker Beau Bell. Bell is one sack away from moving up to sixth on the all-time list and currently leads the league in sacks. With that said, Philly has also forced a turnover either through interception or fumble 25 games in a row, stopping this streak and stopping the Soul from scoring on every drive will definitely help to keep ArenaBowl dreams alive for Washington.
Jon studied Business Management at the University of Pittsburgh and is originally from Maryland. An avid DMV sports fan, he often attends Capitals, Orioles, Wizards and Redskins games. Now a Washington Valor season plan holder and columnist for ArenaFan, he`ll be at every home game covering the team. He spends his free time with friends and family and freelancing graphic design projects. You can follow Jon on Twitter @5FIFTY3