![]() “We didn’t play a perfect football game by any stretch. Then it was wide receiver Aaron Wascha’s turn to get in on the scoring action as he caught an 8-yard pass from Castronova before the onside kick. Prince caught a touchdown pass off the end zone wall to cap Albany’s subsequent drive, and defensive back Jake Metz picked Bane off to stop Carolina again. On 4th and 1, Sesay and linebacker Trevon Shorts brought down Micah Robinson an inch short of the first down. With Albany leading 13-7, the Cobras marched down the field to the 4-yard line. The onside kick capped a series of plays that turned all the momentum Albany’s way. … They weren’t all perfect this week, but we kept working at it and working at it.” ![]() We either got the ball or we put them in a very tough position to score,” Menas said. “I felt confident that there was no downside. Kicker Marc Orozco’s attempt was textbook, fielded by Wade. With Albany leading 27-7 in the second quarter, Menas called for an onside kick - something the team spent three days practicing this week. We were able to foster those things,” said offensive coordinator Damon Ware. ![]() “Them throwing him away and everybody having some negativity about Sam on what he could accomplish, we knew when we brought him into camp that he had some special attributes. ![]() He made five starts and was released in late July. “We knew we were going to get a lot of man coverage, so our playmakers had to beat their playmakers, and they did.”Ĭastronova played for the Cobras last year but didn’t have much success. “We felt like we had a good game plan, and they kept giving us short fields so we took advantage of it, and our defense did an unbelievable job,” Castronova said. For the defense - it’s almost like they skipped a floor,” coach Tom Menas said.Ĭobras quarterback Jonathan Bane was held to 16-for-38, well below his season completion percentage of 66.7, for 181 yards and three touchdowns.Įmpire quarterback Sam Castronova threw two incompletions in 17 passing attempts for 147 yards and six touchdowns, earning game MVP. “I knew the offense was going to continue to do their thing. We watched film and we just went out there and made plays,” Ross said. “Coach told us everything we needed to know. “They waited till the last game of the season to play their best game, and I was so happy for them,” said defensive back coach Chris McKinney.ĭefensive back Dwayne Hollis had six tackles and an interception, Marquel Wade had five tackles and a forced fumble (in addition to three catches for 17 yards and a touchdown on offense) and Marvin Ross had three tackles and broke up five passes, three in the end zone. Prince, the 2022 NAL Most Valuable Player, had five catches for 80 yards and two touchdowns.Īlbany’s defense was all over the Cobras, allowing a season-low point total and shutting Carolina out completely for over 30 minutes of game time in front of a crowd of 4,281. ![]() You play for the last game of the season, and you play to win it, and we did it.” “We fought hard all season, and it paid off in the end,” said wide receiver Darius Prince. I truly feel that I was part of the coaching staff that worked the hardest,” he said. “The only thing I can really take from this is that hard work pays off. It’s all about the fans.”įullback and linebacker coach Jeramie Richardson has also been a part of all three championships. “I love Albany, man,” said lineman Brandon Sesay, who played for the Empire in all three games. ![]()
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