ArenaBowl XXXIII Preview - Albany and Billings with big dreams of a championship
Brian Belefski
Friday July 19, 2024
In a season filled with tumultuous scheduling, franchises folding and questions abound, the AFL did it. The league made it to ArenaBowl XXXIII – a feat that deserves more than a modicum of credit. Not only did the AFL make it through the season, the top two teams, Billings (8-1) and Albany (8-2) will play for the championship.
The compelling ArenaBowl will be played July 19 at 5:30 p.m. (TV: CBS Sports Network) at the American Dream in East Rutherford, NJ. Known as a world class shopping and entertainment venue, the AD will convert its ice skating and hockey rink to a first of its kind pop-up arena football venue.
This will be the second matchup between Albany and Billings, which played on June 22, with the Outlaws winning 36-35 in dramatic fashion on Bailey Giffen kickoff deuce to win with four seconds left in the game.
Position by position preview
Quarterbacks
Both Albany QB Jake Medlock and Billings QB Isaac Harker were the top two quarterbacks in the league, so it's no surprise that they lead their respective teams to the title game. Medlock led the AFL in the regular season with 32 touchdown passes. The veteran QB, who came out of retirement after a long professional career in various leagues worldwide also is a threat to use his 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame on inside runs and was first in the league with 12 rushing touchdowns.
Outlaws QB Isaac Harker was second in the league with 30 touchdown passes and had a remarkable rookie season in the 50-yard ranks. Harker, who had interception concerns during his stint in the CFL has been almost perfect this season not making mistakes, with only two interceptions and has nice touch for the arena game.
If either QB gets injured, Billings has the backup advantage with longtime arena QB Danny Southwick serving as Harker's backup. Albany's backup Evan Lewandowski's only significant action this season was a four touchdown second half performance in a 66-15 blowout against SW Kansas. The Firebirds have rolled the dice during the season on occasion by only suiting Medlock at QB, so they could utilize an extra roster spot on the active 21-man roster on a non-QB.
Advantage – Albany (Medlock gets the nod due to his rushing abilities).
Receivers
Albany's Darius Prince won the AFL's version of the receiving triple crown, leading the league in receiving yards, yards per game and touchdowns. Prince is undoubtedly the top receiver in the sport. Joining Prince is Marquel Wade, Darien Townsend and season journeyman Isiah Scott, who is on his fourth team due to contraction. Scott already contributed last week with a rushing and receiving touchdown.
Billings' receiving corps doesn't have the notoriety of Albany, but they have consistent and reliable players in Duane Brown, Arthur Anderson IV and Dallas Dixon. Brown finished third in the league with 448 receiving yards. Dixon, a rookie out of Central Michigan emerged in the semifinals with two receiving scores.
Advantage – Albany (The Firebirds receivers could have played in any era of the AFL).
Fullbacks
Both the Firebirds and Outlaws have tough, hard-nosed fullbacks who are rookies to the arena game. The difference maker could be Billings fullback, Hunter Swoboda, who had 163 rushing yards this season. Swoboda, who predominantly played tight end before entering the arena game provides great versatility and gives defenses an extra game plan to follow. Albany's Jake Molinich is no slouch either after rushing for 129 yards on the season and is a premiere blocker. On occasion, Albany puts in Trevon Shorts behind the QB. Shorts, had a 33-yard touchdown run to closeout Salina in the Firebirds 80-59 semifinal win.
Advantage – Push (Billings has better runners, but Albany has better pass protectors).
Offensive line
Both teams have had stellar offensive line protection. Billings has had great play from the 6-foot-7 stonewall of McLean Djouha. Jamezz Kimbrough and Terrence Ames have also been strong pass protectors. Albany brings a lot of experience, mainly provided by center Shawn Lockett, who has seven seasons of 50-yard experience. Sean Brown and Dwayne Wallace also have shown impressive blocking skills.
Advantage – Push (Both have been stable).
Defensive line
Both teams feature athletic edge rushers with range. Albany's DE DJ Walden has shown to bring consistent pressure and Jonathon MacCollister can play multiple positions, giving offensive linemen problems. MacCollister was a late season signee after Oregon folded.
Billings features a rare straight out of college rookie in Chase McGowan. McGowan was an All-CAA Second Team player for Delaware in 2023 and his play has proven that he will likely advance up the professional ranks. Recently signed DE Dylan Donahue will be making a return visit to the Meadowlands. The former New York Jets defender is expected to make a difference in his second game of the season.
Advantage – Billings (slightly)
Linebackers
The Firebirds feature a tough MAC linebacker in Nick Haag and a fleet footed JACK linebacker in Trevon Shorts. Billings linebacker Siaosi Finau has been an impact player with four sacks on the season and is a sure tackler.
Advantage – Albany (Shorts is arguably the best JACK in the league and ranked fifth in the league for total tackles).
Defensive backs
Statistics may not show it, but Billings DB Cedric Thomas may be the best shut down corner in the league. Thomas, who was fifth in the league in tackles during the regular season teamed up with Derick Harvey and Isaiah McFarland to effectively stop Nashville's late season powerful offense in the semifinals.
Even though Albany allowed 58 points against Salina, its secondary had a magnificent performance. Markus Smith had a legendary game with three interceptions and two returns for touchdowns. David Tolentino, Jr., Byron Edwards and Daquan Patten have been mainstays all season as well.
Advantage – Push (In an offensive oriented league, both teams have had quality defensive back play this season).
Kickers
Similar to many positions, both teams have the top two kickers in the league. However, Albany will be without Marc Orozco, who will miss the game due to a knee injury. Billing's Bailey Giffen has proven that he has the clutch kicking gene. Giffen's perfect last second 39-yard field goal beat Nashville 35-32 helped catapult Billings to the championship game. Giffen has also proven that he can consistently hit two point kickoff deuces. The loss of Orozco is a significant issue for the Firebirds.
Advantage – Billings.
Returners
Due to the unique setup that the ArenaBowl will have, it will be interesting to see how tight the net game will be, which could potentially play an unexpected role in the game. Albany's Marquel Wade has had two returns for touchdowns this season and the Firebirds typically like to get Darius Prince and Darien Townsend in for a few returns as well. Billings had had productivity from Duane Brown and Arthur Anderson IV.
Advantage - Push
Coaching
Billings head coach Cedric Walker is an Arena Football lifer with close to 30 years as either a player or coach in the 50-yard game. He won ArenaBowl XI (1997) as a player with the Arizona Rattlers and ArenaBowl XXVII (2015) as an assistant with the San Jose SaberCats. His offensive coordinator is legendary AFL QB Sherdrick Bonner, who has plenty of big game experience as a player.
Damon Ware has been a mainstay in Albany. Ware previously was as an offensive coordinator for the then Empire, when they won multiple championships in the NAL and now as a head coach. Defensive coordinator and longtime AFLer, Dwayne Hollis developed a well-balanced unit that can compete.
Advantage – Billings (Both staffs are winners, but Walker has more experience).
Final Verdict
Both teams have made notable late season impact signings that have improved their rosters, but Albany has something that Billings doesn't have and that is receiver Darius Prince, who had 22 receiving touchdowns on the season. Nobody has really stopped the tandem of Medlock to Prince all season, but if there's one coach to scheme against it is Billings' Cedric Walker.
However - even though the Outlaws narrowly won the first matchup at home three weeks ago, Albany likely won't falter an 11-point fourth quarter lead again. Albany has played a much more difficult schedule overall compared to Billings and have more impact players.
Prediction
Albany 48, Billings 42