On June 9, 2007, the biggest game to be played in Albany, Georgia since Dougherty High School hosted the Georgia State Championship football game two years ago. The #1 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers versus the #2 South Georgia Wildcats.

“This is the type of game this franchise and community have wanted to be a part of since day one in Albany,” Wildcats General Manager Darren McPhail said.  “They don’t get any bigger than this.  Wildcat fans are in for a real treat this weekend when these two teams hit the field Saturday night, so we want everyone to be sure and get their tickets early, because they don’t want to miss this one.”

Two af2 powerhouses, featuring the league's top quarterbacks in D. Bryant and Ryan Vena, clash in a potential Arena Cup Championship preview, as South Georgia looks to rebound from their lackluster win against the Corpus Christi Sharks last week.
 
“If you like watching top quarterbacks play, you'll love this game,” said South Georgia Wildcat fan Adrian “Junebugg” Dyson.

Host South Georgia is coming off of a disappointing game against Corpus Christi in which they were played off their feet but won 46-44. Adding injury to insult, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton had a bye week last Saturday.

D. Bryant shows a strong arm, and the Wildcats will need his best effort if they have a shot at toppling the perennial conference power.

“We are a good team,” said Bryant. “People are not even respecting us because we are down here in South Georgia and we haven't been good the last couple of years. But this year we are doing what we need to do.”

The Pioneers will counter with Ryan Vena, who has passed for 2,053 yards, at the helm of an offense that put up 71 points in a victory against the Albany Conquest two weeks ago. The QB has only thrown three interceptions all season. (Note: All three picks were against the Tennessee Valley Vipers.)

Vena's main target is wide receiver Tyreak Saviour who has snagged 51 balls for 659 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Fans of defensive football should turn their heads for this one as both defenses are vulnerable to the pass.  Expect a high scoring contest with plenty of deep balls from both teams.

However, if the same South Georgia team that gave up an early interception and three straight touchdowns, in the last five minutes of the game, against Corpus Christi shows up, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will roll to victory.
  
By the way, the first 3000 fans to enter the gates at the Albany/ James H. Gray Civic Center will also get a free Wildcat visor.

“With this being the biggest game in franchise history, I doubt fans need more of a reason to come out, but for those that do, here is an extra incentive,” said South Georgia GM Darren McPhail.

We know the Wildcats will put up points, and the question is whether or not the Pioneers can hang with them for four quarters. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has history on its side as it has won both of the two meetings between the teams.  South Georgia should keep this one close for a while, and the Wildcat’s talented offense against a seldom tested Pioneer defense should pull away in the second half.

I think rapper T.I. sums this game up with his new single Big Thangs Poppin.

See ya Saturday!