Birds Edge Manchester 48-46
June 5, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Albany Firebirds News Release
MANCHESTER, NH - The Firebirds held a two-point lead after two quarters and never trailed in the second half as they defeated the Manchester Wolves 48-46 Friday night at Verizon Wireless Arena.
Manchester quarterback Mike Potts needed a two-point conversion to knot the game in the final minute of action, but his pass went through the hands of receiver Emery Sammons and the Firebirds maintained their 41-39. Albany recovered the ensuing onsides kick and attempted to run-out the clock, but the defense allowed Wasil into the endzone to take a nine-point lead. Emmery Sammons returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown to pull the Wolves back to within two points, but the Firebirds recovered a second onsides kick and, this time, wound the clock to ice the win.
Late in the fourth quarter Manchester defensive back Brandon Isaac grabbed his second interception of the night and handed the ball over to Potts, who was down just one point in his first career af2 game. Potts drove the Wolves down the field eyeing his first lead of the second half, but receiver Jason Messing fumbled the ball on the edge of the goal-line and former Manchester lineman David Tash recovered for Albany. Firebirds Quarterback Stephen Wasil took over and quickly found Jarod Jones in the endzone to take a 41-33 lead at the one minute warning.
Albany opened the second half with a 28-19 lead and added to their total in the third quarter with strikes to receivers Christian Wise and Jones. The Wolves kept pace with touchdown passes to Deyon Williams and Sammons and trailed 34-33 heading into the fourth.
The Firebirds defense started the game strong and forced the Wolves to settle for field goals on their first two possessions of the game. Albany took over in the second quarter with a 7-6 lead behind an Anthony Rodriguez touchdown, but the Firebirds let Manchester off the hook when their second offensive possession ended in Isaac's first pick of the game. Both sides exchanged scores to close out the half; Manchester's Sammons caught two touchdowns for the Wolves, while the Firebirds tallies came from Wise and Tight End Jon Leible.
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