Valor Game Preview: Defending The District
Jon Stark
Thursday May 10, 2018
The Washington Valor (0-3) return to the District of Columbia for their home opener. They will host the Albany Empire (1-2) inside of Capital One Arena at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 11th. The Game will broadcast live on Monumental Sports Network and Facebook.
Last weekend the Valor set a new record for the lowest points scored in the franchises history. There's nowhere to go but up from here? Washington quarterback Warren Smith Jr. completed just 19-of-33 passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns against this same Albany team. Will we still see Smith under center or is newcomer Shane Austin ready to hit the field? Austin had two career years in 2014 and 2015, throwing for over 4,400 yards and 99 touchdowns in both seasons. Shane also had a QB Rating of over 107 during those years as well.
The Empire moved into the win column for the first time this season against the Valor last week. Quarterback Tommy Grady and wide receiver Joe Hills are a serious threat coming into this weekend. In the last two weeks Grady has 11 touchdowns, seven of them in the hands of Hills. The next closest are Prince and Reynolds of the Soul, with six touchdowns each through four games. Albany WR Malachi Jones also has three touchdowns in the air and one on the ground through three games, at times he looks like a slot receiver or scatback and it's working for them.
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