Many apologies for not posting a ranking last week. An internship with an Albany radio station and other things took precedence over a new column. A big shout out to our friend and main editor Tim Capper who is recovering from a recent illness. Glad to hear you’re doing better, Cap!

Alright, enough with the apologies and well wishes. Let’s go to the “power” rankings.

1. Albany (7-1): The Empire suffered their first loss of the season in Week 7 after coming back from as many as 14 down to lose by one to Baltimore, 42-41. An ill-timed – and many critics would say poorly called – penalty following a Malachi Jones touchdown created a miss on the PAT. In Week 8 at Washington, it looked as if the Empire had not recovered from that loss. A series of miscues and missed opportunities put them in a 34-7 hole. They were an entirely different team in the second half, outscoring the Valor 42-21 in the second half Tommy Grady connected with Quentin Sims on fourth down for the game-winning touchdown with 10 seconds remaining to shock those in attendance at Capital One Arena with a 56-55 win.

Next Week: The Empire return home to the friendly confines of the Times Union Center to face a struggling Atlantic City squad.

2. Baltimore (5-3): Entering their four-game road trip, the Brigade had not won a road came all season. But they entered Albany in Week 7 facing an unbeaten Empire team, looking to break Albany’s nine-game regular season winning streak. That they did, even after surrendering a 14-point lead, but thanks to a penalty that pushed back what would have been the game-tying PAT and some hustle by Shane Boyd to force Arkeith Brown to fumble on an interception return sealed the win. In Week 8, they traveled to Columbus, who had just collected their first win of the season. The Brigade were in a fight with the Destroyers in the first half, but seized control of the game late in the 3^rd quarter to go up by 14 and never looked back. Congratulations to Brigade WR Joe Hills, who made history by catching a touchdown pass for the 100^th consecutive game.

Next Week: The Brigade continue their road trip with a game in Washington to face the Valor for what will be a battle for second place.

3. Washington (4-4): The Valor looked to start a new winning streak in Week 7 after having their two-game win streak ended in Week 6 in Albany. They faced Philadelphia, who was looking to gain their swagger after a home win against Columbus. Surprisingly, the Valor’s defense came up big to help beat the Soul, 48-41. Washington’s defense forced three fumbles (recovering two), an interception, and sacked Dan Raudabaugh. Jadar Johnson picked off Raudabaugh on the final play of the game to seal the win. Would they continue their winning ways? It seemed as if they would after leading Albany by 20 points at half in Week 8. But eight penalties in the second half and a questionable coaching decision with just over a minute left doomed the Valor as they fell to the Empire.

Next Week: The Valor look to get back on the winning track when they host Baltimore in what is sure to be an important game for playoff positioning.

4. Philadelphia (4-4): The Soul hoped that they had regained their swagger after a win against Columbus, especially their defense that forced the Destroyers into four turnovers. They hoped to do the same when Washington came to town in Week 7. While they forced Arvell Nelson to throw two interceptions, it was the Valor’s defense that frustrated the Soul’s offense into three turnovers and a sack and missed opportunities on 3^rd and 4^th down. In Week 8, they hosted Atlantic City, who was also attempting to get back on the winning track. The Soul regained their swagger: the defense forced two turnovers, held the Blackjacks scoreless in two quarters, and sacked AC’s QBs three times. On offense, they just were as relentless; FB Adrian Ferns rushed for three touchdowns and the Soul went up by as many as 34. QB Danny Raudabaugh was efficient enough (15/18, 3 TDs) that he was replaced by Danny Southwick in the 4^th quarter.

Next Week: The Soul will travel to Columbus to face the Destoyers. Another win would keep them on pace in the race to the playoffs.

5. Atlantic City (3-5): The Blackjacks went on the road in Week 7 for a chance to win their first road game in franchise history. Their chances were good as they faced a winless Columbus team and the Blackjacks were coming off of a hard-fought win against Baltimore. It was a back-and-forth struggle with the Destroyers and with 3:08 remaining in the game, it was looking like the Blackjacks would win their first road game. But a late touchdown pass and a defensive hold by Columbus saw those hopes get dashed. In Week 8, everything that could go wrong for the Blackjacks did go wrong: they were held scoreless in the 1^st and 3^rd quarters and lost QB Randy Hippeard midway through the 2^nd quarter to a lower body injury. Backup QB Warren Smith struggled, throwing two touchdowns, but also an interception.

Next Week: The Blackjacks travel to Albany for their final meeting with the Empire and have the opportunity to get back in the playoff hunt.

6. Columbus (1-6): The Destroyers desperately sought out their first win of the season in Week 7 when they hosted fellow expansion team Atlantic City. Things looked good early when the Destroyers took a 14-0 lead in the 1^st quarter. From there, it was a shootout between both teams. The hopes of a win looked bleak after the Blackjacks took the lead with 2:25 remaining, but Columbus held tough and Grant Russell’s 13-yard touchdown to Kenyattus Cook put them ahead for good. They hoped to build their first ever winning streak since 2007. The Destroyers stayed with the Brigade in the first half, but the Brigade defense stopped the Destroyers on 4^th down late in the 3^rd quarter and would fall behind by 14. The Destroyers got to within eight, but a late field goal by Lane Clark put the game out of reach.

Next Week: The Destroyers will look to finish their three-game home stand by getting off of the schneid as they host Philadelphia. 

Ryan McCarthy has been an on-and-off Internet columnist and blogger since 1997. He has been an avid follower of Arena Football since 1990 when the Albany Firebirds were established. Ryan currently attends Regent University, where he is pursuing his Bachelors degree in Communications with a Journalism concentration. He anticipates graduating toward the end of 2019. You can follow Ryan on Twitter at @rwhoisryanmcc