Albany Stays Alive With 58-55 Win
July 24, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Albany Firebirds News Release
MILWAUKEE, WI - The Albany Firebirds kept their 2009 playoff hopes alive with a 58-55 victory over the Milwaukee Iron Friday night at the Bradley Center.
Albany quarterback Stephen Wasil turned each of his five second-half possessions into points as the Firebirds withstood Milwaukee's spirited 28-point fourth quarter surge and escaped with an important victory in their regular season finale. Albany finishes its regular season with a 7-9 record and will qualify for the playoffs with a Florida Firecats loss in their Saturday night match-up against the Kentucky Horsemen. The Iron completed their inaugural arenafootball2 season with a 5-11 record.
The Firebirds and Milwaukee went blow-for-blow in a second half shoot-out that saw Albany's lead waiver between seven and fourteen points. Firebirds Head Coach Tony Bowick halted the air show on his offense's fifth possession of the half, choosing instead to run the clock and kick a field goal for a ten point lead with 44 seconds remaining. The Iron added their fifth touchdown of the half to pull to within three, but Albany held on to the onsides kick to seal the win.
Recievers Johnnie Butler, Alvin Ray Jackson and Tight End Jon Leible each hauled in one of Wasil's second-half touchdowns. The second-year quarterback accounted for his other second-half score on the ground. Milwaukee's Hammel answered each score with strikes to Scott Burnoski (two), Bryan Pray, Antoine Burns and Robert Gill.
Milwaukee drew first blood in the contest for its only lead of the game, but the Firebirds responded with three-straight scores to jump out to a 21-6 lead. First Wasil found receivers Butler and Anthony Rodriguez for first quarter touchdowns, and then Defensive end David Tash opened the second quarter with a fumble return for six-points. Hammel reached the endzone on his next two possessions, but Albany kept pace with fullback Norman Bauer's first receiving touchdown of the season and the Firebirds headed to the locker room with a 28-20 lead.
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