Valor lose to the Cheese Steaks

Game 2 of the AFL season Saturday night was a disappointing loss for the Washington Valor as they met last season’s champion, the Philadelphia Soul.

The game started out in the Valor’s favor as the team struck pay dirt right off the bat. Option quarterback Bernard Morris powered in the opening TD on a 4th and inches goal line run, and star defensive back Tracy Belton jumped a flat route for a quick pick six on the next drive.  The most exciting play of the night has to go to Philly, when they were able to return a missed field goal for a touchdown.  Meanwhile, Mike Washington may have had the best touchdown catch of the night for the Valor when a ball ricocheted off the hands of a falling reciever and bounced right to him five yards into the end zone.  

The Valor were unable to hold onto their three point halftime lead, and the Soul defense really stepped up in the second half shutting out Washington.  Every time the Valor got into the red zone, the Soul were making big plays.  Philadelphia ended the night getting 3 interceptions in the end zone.

For two weeks in a row now we’ve seen Washington put up a good game in the first half, and then struggle in the 3rd and 4th quarter.  A shutout in 30 minutes of high scoring arena football is unnatural. Meyer was under pressure through much of the second half, and never was able to get in rhythm.

-By Alex Zeese