Conquest Take Sting Out of Swarm
Published on May 11, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Albany Firebirds News Release
The Albany Conquest improved to (4-1) and held their spot atop the Northeast Division with a convincing 69-35 victory over the Cincinnati Swarm (3-3) Saturday afternoon at the US Bank Arena in Cincinnati, OH. The point total set a new franchise high for points in a single game, eclipsing the old mark of 68 points set just last week in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
Albany QB Ryan Vena continued his stellar play as he threw six touchdown passes and ran for two others. WR/DB's Phil Taylor and Jamie Ware caught three scores each. OS Corey Hill led all receivers in the game with nine catches for 133 yards and a touchdown. Hill's biggest plays came on two first quarter kick returns which set up the Conquest offense inside the Swarm 15-yard line and gave Vena and company two early scoring opportunities that they would take advantage of.
Defensive Specialist John Stuart, who ranked 10th in af2 in pass breakups coming into the game recorded his first two interceptions of the season, one which he ripped out of the hands of Cincinnati OS James Scott in the end zone during the fourth quarter. Stuart finished the game with two interceptions, a fumble recovery, four solo tackles and four pass breakups.
Taylor also recorded his first interception of 2003 on what could end up being the best catch of the season for any member of the Conquest. Taylor was dropping back into the end zone and leaped into the air, pulling down the ball with one hand and then showing the ball to the official after landing with the ball securely in his grasp.
The Conquest defense played another great game, blocking a field goal attempt for a safety and recovering a fumble for a touchdown, while knocking the Swarm starting QB Christian Batcheller out of the game midway through the third quarter. The defensive line of the Conquest harassed Batcheller, who came into the game as the 2nd rated passer in af2, all night long. Spencer Conley recorded his fourth sack of the season and Adriel Linyear scored his second defensive touchdown of the year on his eight yard fumble return.
Official stats were not available following the game.
Next week the Conquest finish their rugged early season road trip in Rochester against the Rochester Brigade, a team they faced four times in 2002, winning three, including the opening round of the playoffs. Kickoff is set for 7:30 at the Blue Cross Arena.
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