Brigade beaten in ArenaBowl XXXI, 69-55

To respond, Brigade quarterback Randy Hippeard’s pass to wide receiver Quentin Sims carried Baltimore to Washington’s territory, followed by an 18-yard pass to Brandon Collins for the equalizer.

Again, Nelson tried to get creative, flicking a pass to receiver Josh Reese in the end zone — but this time, it was deemed an illegal forward pass, keeping things even.

A low-scoring first quarter gave way to a high-scoring second. To start, Valor defensive lineman Svante Davenport stripped a pass from Hippeard in the end zone and galloped into Baltimore territory. After a few fruitless passes, Nelson rushed 6 yards for a second Washington touchdown.

Then Hippeard stepped back on the field. The five-season AFL veteran rocketed a pass from end to end, landing in the hands of Brandon Thompkins, tying the Valor again, 14-14, in just two moves.

Then Washington began to run away with the game.

Nelson, again, trading his arm for legs after he couldn’t connect with teammates in the end zone, ran the football in with a minute on the clock. Moments later, Washington’s Chris Duvalt snatched the ball and tore up 33 yards to score another touchdown to put the Valor up 28-14. Hippeard found Sims to add six points, but kicker Mark Lewis never had the chance to convert the extra point as the ball skittered away, scooped up by Washington.

Near the end of the half, the Valor put together a 38-second drive to go up 35-20.

Baltimore’s turnovers and silly mistakes continued in the second half. Under siege in the pocket, Hippeard threw a desperation toss to the end zone that was intercepted by Davenport, who returned the ball upfield. That led to another Valor touchdown.

The Brigade responded by scoring on an unusual play of their own. Thompkins ripped downfield on a kick return, then stumbled and fumbled, drawing a horde of Valor players to the ball. Baltimore defensive back Michael Knight scooped it and ran into the end zone.

But like every Baltimore gain, it was diminished by a Valor response. Before long, Nelson was firing another pass for a score to amass 56 points going into the fourth quarter against Baltimore’s 34.

The Brigade and Valor traded seven points apiece at the beginning of the fourth quarter. AFL veteran fullback Rory Nixon, whose postseason action had thus far been mostly behind the scenes, thrust into the spotlight, rushing 2 yards to shrink Washington’s lead to 15 points. Hippeard found Brandon Collins for another seven points.

Baltimore needed to score another eight points, but never would.

Nelson snaked around the Brigade backfield to score one more touchdown for the Valor.

Hippeard’s last-ditch toss into the end zone misfired, hitting the Washingtonwhite confetti that had already been released as it hit the ground.