Conquest 2004 schedule has a playoff feel to it
February 3, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Albany Firebirds News Release
Albany, N.Y., February 3, 2004 - The Albany Conquest of arenafootball2 (af2) will play its home opener against the Manchester Wolves on Friday, April 16th at the Pepsi Arena beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eight of the Conquest's 16 regular season games in 2004 are against teams that competed in last year's ArenaCup Playoffs, including their first two games of the 2004 season against Northeast Division opponents. The Conquest will open on the road against the Cape Fear Wildcats on April 10th in Fayetteville, N.C. Information on Albany Conquest season tickets is available by calling (518) 487-2222.
"This year's schedule will make for an exciting season and some real close games, but I know we'll be up to the task," said Conquest Head Coach Steve Matthews. "I believe that we are putting the right components in place to win games, including an exceptional coaching staff and talented players," added Matthews.
"With the caliber of teams we are playing in 2004 we will have exciting and well-contested games that are sure to thrill our fans," said Conquest General Manager Robert Zeig. "I believe that Coach Matthews is doing all the right things to place a team on the field that can lead us to a Championship," he added.
In addition to Albany's home opener against Manchester on April 16th, the Conquest will host Louisville Fire on April 24th, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers on May 8th and June 18th, Macon Knights on May 22nd, Cape Fear on June 6th, Green Bay Blizzard on June 25th, and Manchester again on July 23rd.
The Conquest, who earned back-to-back Northeast Division Championships in 2002 and 2003, will defend those titles in a division that boasts two other 2003 ArenaCup Playoff teams in Cape Fear and Manchester. Cape Fear made the playoffs last year by winning the af2's Atlantic Division, while Manchester reached the playoffs as a wild card from the Northeast Division.
The Wolves relocated to Manchester from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. during the off-season. The af2 office in Chicago placed Cape Fear in the Northeast Division for the 2004 season following the Cincinnati Swarms' decision not to compete. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers round out the af2's four-team Northeast Division.
The Conquest, who has a 27-8 record in two af2 seasons, will meet Cape Fear, Manchester and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton three times each during the 2004 season. Cape Fear, who is competing for the first time in the Northeast Division, is 2-0 all-time against the Conquest, including a 46-30 win in the 2002 playoffs. The Conquest is 5-1 all-time competing against Manchester as well as 5-1 all-time against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Albany will have an opportunity for redemption this season when it hosts the Macon Knights on May 22nd. Last year, Macon defeated the Conquest, 59-47, in a quarterfinal playoff game at the Pepsi Arena. Macon went on to compete in the ArenaCup Championship Game, but fell, 58-40 to the Tulsa Talons.
Albany will play another playoff team when it travels to meet the Arkansas Twisters on June 11th. Arkansas advanced to the National Conference Championship Game of last year's ArenaCup Playoffs, before losing to eventual ArenaCup Champion, Tulsa, 63-52.
The Conquest will conclude the 2004 regular season with divisional games that could have serious playoff implications when it hosts Manchester on July 23rd and travels to Cape Fear for a regular season finale on July 31st.
The 2004 ArenaCup Playoffs begin in August. The Conquest has hosted a playoff game at the Pepsi Arena in each of its two seasons and is 1-2 in playoff competition. Albany received a first-round bye in last year's af2 playoffs before losing to Macon. In 2002, Albany topped the Rochester Brigade, 31-26, at home in a first-round game, before falling to Cape Fear.
The Conquest will bring 35 players to training camp, which begins on March 23rd. The Conquest's final 21-man roster will be set at the conclusion of training camp on April 5th.
For more information visit the web at www.albanyconquest.com. The complete Albany Conquest schedule is posted below:
Albany Conquest 2004 Schedule
Date Away Home Time (E.T.)
Saturday, April 10 Albany Conquest @ Cape Fear Wildcats 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 16 Manchester Wolves @ Albany Conquest 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 24 Louisville Fire @ Albany Conquest 7:00 p.m.
Friday, April 30 Albany Conquest @ Manchester Wolves 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 8 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton @ Albany Conquest 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 15 Albany Conquest @ Louisville Fire 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 22 Macon Knights @ Albany Conquest 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 29 Albany Conquest @ Peoria Pirates 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 6 Cape Fear Wildcats @ Albany Conquest 2:00 p.m.
Friday, June 11 Albany Conquest @ Arkansas Twisters 8:30 p.m.
Friday, June 18 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton @ Albany Conquest 7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 25 Green Bay Blizzard @ Albany Conquest 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 9 Albany Conquest @ Green Bay Blizzard 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 17 Albany Conquest @ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 7:00 p.m.
Friday, July 23 Manchester Wolves @ Albany Conquest 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 31 Albany Conquest @ Cape Fear Wildcats 7:30 p.m.
(Schedule subject to change)
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