wolves nip conquest playoff hopes
MANCHESTER, NH - The Manchester Wolves broke a tie game by scoring 23 points in the fourth quarter to beat the Albany Conquest 50-33 Friday night at Verizon Wireless Arena.
Albany won the coin toss and elected to kickoff first. Manchester made them pay as QB James Pinkney took the first offensive snap of the game and found WR Bradley Chavez wide open deep down the field for a 27-yard TD pass and a 7-0 lead. On Albany’s first possession, DE Larry McSwain sacked Albany QB Dan Cole, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Chavez and returned 20 yards for a touchdown and a 13-0 lead. The Conquest then escaped a fourth down situation as Cole went deep to WR Antwun Williams for a 42-yard TD pass and a 13-6 game after the first quarter.
WR Steven Savoy opened the second quarter with a three-yard pass from Pinkey and a 20-6 lead, but the Conquest turned the tides soon after. Cole linked up with WR Vernard Abrams for a 12-yard TD pass to cut the lead in half, then Albany’s defense came up big as DB Roland Minor recorded his third interception in as many games. The Conquest took the interception and turned it into points as Cole finished a long drive with a one-yard run as the first half ended, tying the game at 20-20.
Each team scored once in the third quarter as Savoy caught a 13-yard pass to regain the lead, but Abrams countered with his second of the game to tie the game at 27-27.
Manchester blew the doors off the game in the fourth quarter, out-scoring Albany 23-7 as they took a 50-33 victory. Pinkney connected with Chavez for a 23-yard TD pass, WR Emery Sammons scored on a 3-yard run, FB Lamar Bryant ran in a touchdown from eight yards out and the Wolves defense sacked Cole in the end zone for a safety. Albany’s only score of the final quarter was a 17-yard TD reception by Abrams, his third TD catch of the game.
Manchester QB James Pinkney finished the game 17-for-25, passing for 177 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions, while Albany QB Dan Cole went 21-for-41, with 222 passing yards and four touchdowns. Albany WR Jared Jones led all receivers with seven catches for 58 yards, while Conquest WR Vernard Abrams had a game-high three TD receptions. DB Roland Minor and DS Clarence Curry each had interceptions for Albany.
SCHUTT OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: WR/LB Bradley Chavez (MAN)
ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: DL Joseph Crear (MAN)
U.S. ARMY IRONMAN OF THE GAME: WR/LB Bradley Chavez (MAN)
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE GAME: DS Clarence Curry (ALB)
Score By Quarters:- 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - F
ALBANY (4-9) - 6 - 14 - 7 - 6 - 33
MANCHESTER (6-7) - 13 - 7 - 7 - 23 - 50
Like most teams in af2, Week 15 is a bye week for Albany. The Conquest will return to action in Week 16 as they travel back to Kentucky, this time to square off with the Louisville Fire on Saturday, July 12th at 7:05 pm at Cardinal Stadium. Albany’s next home game is not until Week 17 as they host Manchester for a 7:00 pm kick off on Friday, July 18th at the Times Union Center.
Group and individual game tickets are now on sale for the remainder of the 2008 Albany Conquest regular season. For more information please contact the Conquest at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyconquest.com.