Pioneers Roll Over Albany 69-27
June 7, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Albany Firebirds News Release
ALBANY, NY - The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers returned to winning-ways by trouncing the Albany Conquest 69-27 for their eighth win of the season on Saturday night at the Times Union Center. The East Division-leading Pioneers went right to work in the first quarter as they received the opening kickoff and drove quickly down the field for a touchdown on only three plays. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's defense then forced Albany to turn the ball over on downs, which led to another Pioneers touchdown and a 14-0 lead. Albany QB Dan Cole linked up with Antwun Williams for an eight-yard TD pass, but a failed extra point left the Conquest trailing by eight points as the first quarter came to an end. The visitors pulled away in the second quarter by using the deep ball attack. Pioneers QB Ryan Vena heaved the ball down the field not once, but twice on consecutive possessions to WR J.J. Outlaw, each time resulting in a 34-yard touchdown reception. Albany's Vernard Abrams scored on a two-yard TD pass from Cole, but Wilkes-Barre/Scranton added a ten-yard TD strike from Vena to Larry Kendrick to take a 35-13 lead into halftime. Looking to grab momentum with the opening drive of the third quarter, the Conquest failed to take advantage of their possession as they were forced out on downs for the fourth time in the game. Kendrick was again the target as Vena found his received for a six-yard score and a 22-point lead. Cole answered with another touchdown pass to Abrams, this time an eight-yard pass, but Vena countered by finding Outlaw for his third TD reception of the game and a 48-20 lead at the end of the third quarter. The Pioneers tacked on two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter to erase any thoughts of a comeback. WR Rich Musinski caught a 15-yard TD pass from Vena and DB Barry Drakeford picked off a Dan Cole pass, returning the ball 25-yards for a touchdown, as the visitors opened up a 42-point advantage. Albany backup QB Joe DeLuise came in with two minutes remaining in the game and on his first snap connected with WR Heath Decker for a 34-yard gain; it was DeLuise's first career af2 pass completion. Two plays later DeLuise recorded his first career af2 touchdown pass, as he found fittingly Albany's all-time leading TD receiver Antwun Williams for a four-yard score. After a failed Conquest on-side kick attempt, Pioneers fullback Kirby Griffin completed the scoring with a seven-yard TD run and a 69-27 win. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton QB Ryan Vena led the way by completing 21-of-25 passes for 295 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception; Vena also had two carries for 13 yards and one rushing touchdown. Albany QB Dan Cole was 25-for-45 passing with 202 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Pioneers WR Larry Kendrick had a team-high nine catches for 107 yard and three touchdowns, while J.J. Outlaw caught 7 passes for 118 yards and three TDs. Albany WR Jared Jones had a game-high 11 receptions for 73 yards; Vernard Abrams and Antwun Williams each had two touchdown catches on the night.
Albany will hit the road again in Week 12, this time traveling to Kentucky for the first-ever meeting between the Conquest and the expansion Lexington Horsemen. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, June 14th at 7:30 pm at Rupp Arena. It will be Albany's fourth franchise af2 game in the state of Kentucky; they have traveled to Louisville three times over the last four seasons. The Conquest will return to the Times Union Center on Friday, June 20th for a 7:00 pm kickoff against the Daytona Beach ThunderBirds. Partial season ticket packages and individual game tickets are now on sale for the remainder of the 2008 Albany Conquest regular season. For more information please contact the Conquest at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyconquest.com.
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