Richmond Stops Albany's Seven-Game Winning Streak
June 29, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Albany Firebirds News Release
ALBANY, NY -- When it was all said and done, the Albany Conquest played one of their best all around games of the season. Unfortunately, the great play didn't come with a great win as the visiting Richmond Speed snapped the Conquest's seven game win streak, en route to a thrilling 66-59 victory at Pepsi Arena.
With the win, Richmond improves to 10-2 while Albany drops to that same mark.
Speed quarterback Bob Bees, capped off his impressive evening by scoring from one yard out with 9.7 seconds left to play on third down.
Albany regained possession and with 4.7 seconds left, Conquest quarterback Ryan Vena hit receiver Jamie Ward across the middle; however the Speed defense was quick to hunt down the speedy end, as Ward's effort to reach the end zone fell ten yards short as time expired.
Bees, named the game's Most Valuable Player, was simple spectacular throwing for five touchdown and 314 yards. Wide receiver Damon Thompson grabbed 11 balls for 139 yards and one touchdown while Jeff Townsley scored three touchdowns and totaled 80 yards.
The first half was simply like a boxing match with both clubs taking pokes at one another. Richmond set the tone early by scoring on a Townsley touchdown but Albany was quick to respond as John Stuart hauled in a 33 yard pass from Vena. They went back and forth all throughout the half, with Albany grabbing a 26-24 lead at the break.
The second half saw much of the same however; Richmond looked as if they might run away with it at times, especially after Bees scored from a yard out in the third to make it 45-32.
Albany showed great resolve and stormed back to tie the game at 52 apiece with 2:40 to go in the game. Yet the visitors continued to push forward and managed the clock extremely well, setting the stage for Bees' heroics.
Vena finished with 278 yards and six touchdowns while Corey Hill, Ware, Mike Guazzo and Jason Mattes all played well from their receiver positions.
More astonishing, both teams combined for 30 penalties with Richmond losing 174 yards in the process.
Richmond's Kevin Harvey was named the games Ironman while Guazzo tallied Defensive Player of the Game honors for Albany.
The Conquest will face another American Atlantic team next weekend when they travel to Fayetteville, NC to face the 10-2 Cape Fear Wildcats. Both teams are ahead of the expansion class and the winner could be crowned Expansion Team of the Year. Kick for the Sunday afternoon battle is set for 3 pm.
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