Albany destroys the Destroyers to kick off the 2019 season
Cliffy D. Pine
Monday April 29, 2019
Despite a memorable first season in the Arena Football League, the Albany Empire felt that they didn’t accomplish what they set out to do. So much so, that their motto for the 2019 AFL season is “Unfinished Business”.
They were the league’s top team in 2018 during the regular season, but failed to advance to the Arena Bowl. Thus, the goal for this team in 2019 is to prove that their success in year one wasn’t just a fluke. This past Saturday in front of their boisterous fans at the Times Union Center, the Empire started on the path to redemption with a convincing 35-19 victory over the Columbus Destroyers.
Having been out of the AFL since 2008, the Destroyers were also looking to re-establish themselves. But building chemistry takes time and the rookie-laden offensive line was tested early and often by the Empire’s punishing defense.
Playing in the league’s loudest arena didn’t do this group of rookies any favors, as the Destroyers struggled at times to properly snap the ball to QB Danny Southwick. The Empire defense set the tone early and gave Southwick plenty of fits.
He went 10 for 17 with 132 passing yards and threw for a touchdown, but was also picked off twice during key Columbus drives. Southwick also was sacked for a major loss on a fourth down by the reigning AFL Defensive Lineman of the Year, Joe Sykes.
A change in QB gave the Destroyers new life, as rookie QB Russell Grant came in during the third quarter. He found Jenson Stoshack in the end zone for a touchdown (Stoshack’s second score of the evening) and ran one in himself to make the scoresheet look a bit more respectable.
But by then, the damage was done as Empire head coach Rob Keefe called a masterful game and made the Destroyers’ night a long one.
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On the other side of the ball, AFL MVP Tommy Grady picked up where he left off from last season. He went 25 of 34 with 230 passing yards and throwing four touchdowns. His lone blemish on the night was being picked off in the end zone by Somie Varmah in the fourth quarter. Grady looked fluid with his passing and was in tune with his receivers.
He also relied on the brute force of his fullback, the hulking Mykel Benson. Benson rumbled six yards into the end zone for Albany’s first touchdown of 2019 on their opening drive. Despite having some former members of the Empire in the lineup, Columbus’ defense had very few answers for this six foot, 295 pound freight train.
Quentin Sims had himself a game for Albany, hauling in 50 yards on 5 catches, two of those becoming touchdowns. Rookie receiver Christian Briggs also scored his first AFL touchdown with his first AFL reception, a 16 yard strike from Tommy Grady.
Last year’s Rookie of the Year Malachi Jones didn’t miss a beat, despite competing just last month as a member of the now-defunct Alliance of American Football. With 11 catches and 94 all-purpose yards for the Empire, Jones made it look way too easy. He took a 24 yard pass from Grady to the house for Albany’s second touchdown and his outstanding play secured him Offensive Player of the Game honors.
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As expected, it was loud and rocking in the state capital this past Saturday night. Nearly 12000 fans showed up, waving orange towels to rally their team to victory. Albany led the AFL in attendance last year and it would appear that these fans also have unfinished business as they watched their team be denied the chance to prove that they really were the best of the Arena League in 2018.
I don’t think the bloom has come off this particular rose and the Albany faithful are ready for another fantastic season from their football team. Next week at home, they will welcome the team that dashed the Empire’s championship hopes, the defending ArenaBowl champion Washington Valor.
The Destroyers will stay on the road, heading to the Jersey Shore to face off against the league’s newest team, the Atlantic City Blackjacks. The Blackjacks lost a heartbreaker in overtime to the Philadelphia Soul at the Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday. The Blackjacks are eager to kick off a new era of Arena football on the boardwalk and one of these teams will have their first win of the 2019 season this coming Saturday.
Many thanks to ArenaFan for once again allowing me the opportunity to experience this brand of football first-hand and to share it with you good readers. Be sure to check out ArenaFan.com for all your news, stats, info and so much more on the Arena Football League.
