Albany Firebirds Weekly
April 15, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Albany Firebirds News Release
The Stakes
The Albany Firebirds are looking to snap their three-game losing streak to start the season and earn their first win of the 2009 campaign against Division rival Manchester in a 7:30 p.m. kick-off on Saturday at Verizon Wireless Arena. In all three games this season, the Firebirds have had the lead and looked strong early but have not been able to hang on in the second half. Manchester dropped their season opener 59-28 to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers and had a bye in week two. The Wolves rebounded in week three with a dominant performance in Green Bay to beat the Blizzard 53-28.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
FB/LB Derek Adams Jr. played in his first game this season with the Firebirds against Florida, carrying the ball twice for three yards from the back-up FB position. The game marked the first time this season that rookie Quarterback Adam Bednarik did not lead the team in rushing. This week Adams is expected to again receive the bulk of the carries as the Firebirds' starter in the backfield. Bednarik made his second career start last week under center and threw for 176 yards and two touchdowns against the Firecats, while he added his fourth rushing touchdown of the season.
WR/LB Alvin Ray Jackson caught both of the Firebirds' touchdown passes against Florida and also recorded the team's second interception of the season, picking Chris Wallace in the endzone on the Firecats' opening drive. On the year Jackson has just four catches for 16 yards, but last week's performance tied him for the team lead in both receiving touchdowns and interceptions. Jackson also has five tackles and a forced fumble on the year.
Week three marked the first time this season that WR Christian Wise did not lead the team in receiving yards as his 58 yards were second to Anthony Rodriguez's 84. Wise's 302 receiving yards on the season are good for first on the Firebirds, while WR Mike Wall leads all receivers in yards per catch with 15.9.
DB Kenneth Williams led the Firebirds defense in tackles with 8.5 last week and ranks first on the team with 17.0 tackles this season. DE Reggie Paramoure recorded his team-high second sack of the season last week and is tied for second on the team in tackles with 8.5.
Week 4 Preview:
Manchester is coming off of a big win in Green Bay and will look to carry that momentum into their 2009 home-opener on Saturday night. The Wolves hosted Albany in their 2008 home-opener, with the visitors pulling off a 64-54 road win. Former Manchester Wolves lineman David Tash, who spent all of last year on IR, was traded on Tuesday to the Firebirds and will be on the opposite sideline on Saturday night.
Week 4 Schedule:
All games are broadcast LIVE on af2TV free streaming video at www.albanyfirebirds.com
Saturday, April 18 - 7:30 pm - Verizon Wireless Arena - Manchester, NH
vs. Manchester Wolves (1-1)
- This is the 23rd all-time meeting between Albany and Manchester and the first of two meetings during the 2009 season. The teams will next meet on Saturday, July 11th when the Wolves travel to Albany for a 7:00 pm start at the Times Union Center. Manchester leads the all-time series 14-8 and went 3-1 against Albany in the 2008 season with the Wolves sweeping the final three match-ups of the season series.
- Leading Passer: QB - James Pinkney (#7) - (46-69-3, 539 yds, 6TD)
- Leading Rusher: FB - Paul Jefferson (#99) (8att-22yds-1TD)
- Leading Receivers: Emery Sammons (#5) (17rec-191yds-2TD), Deyon Williams (8) (17rec-183yds-2TD), Steven Savoy (#6) (12rec-165yds-2TD)
Firebirds Pecks:
- WOLVES MILESTON: Martel Vanzant, the first deaf player in the af2 and only the third to play professional football, started at linebacker for the Wolves in the season opener, where he recorded three solo tackles.
- FAMILIAR FACES: There are three sets of former college teammates on both sides of the line this week. Albany's Norman Bauer (FB) and Manchester's Bryan Robinson (DL) are Wesley College alumni, the Firebirds' Reggie Paramoure and the Wolves' Matt King played on the DL together at Maine, and the Firebirds' Anthony Rodriguez (WR) and the Wolves' Rory Thomas (OL) went to IUP.
East Division Standings:
(AMERICAN CONFERENCE)
Team W L PCT Home Road Streak
WB/Scranton 2 1 0.667 2-0 0-1 L1
Manchester 1 1 0.500 0-0 1-1 W1
Mahoning Valley 1 2 0.333 1-1 0-1 L1
Albany 0 3 0.000 0-1 0-2 L3
The Albany Firebirds 2009 season is underway and the next home game is set for April 25th against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers in a 7:00 p.m. kick off at the Times Union Center. Partial season ticket packages are now on sale; for more information please contact the Firebirds at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyfirebirds.com.
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