ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — After a 15-year hiatus, Albany Firebirds football returned to the Capital Region Saturday night, and that return did not disappoint.
Albany trailed for nearly the entirety of its Arena Football League season opener with fellow former National Arena League foe Orlando. But thanks to some timely defensive stops, clutch special teams play and strong quarterbacking from Jake Medlock, the Firebirds emerged with a 62-59 overtime victory.
The visiting Predators, who were the last team to face the Albany Empire before the Empire were removed from the NAL in June 2023, quickly got on the board with a touchdown strike from Drew Powell to Brian Robinson. After Albany fumbled the ensuing kickoff, Orlando reached the end zone again, and added a deuce, putting the Firebirds in a 16-0 hole before the offense even reached the field.
The two teams combined for eight straight touchdowns to close out the first half, as the Predators headed for the locker room with a 45-29 advantage.
The offenses continued to trade scores late into the fourth quarter. The Albany defense finally broke serve, coming up with its first stop of the night with under a minute to go in regulation. Orlando attempted a field goal to seal the game, but Dylan Barnas’ try came up short, and was returned all the way to the Predators’ two-yard line by Marquel Wade. That set up Medlock, who found the end zone for his fourth rushing touchdown of the game, knotting the score at 59, and ultimately forcing overtime.
Orlando won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball to start the sudden-death extra period. But the Firebirds defense stood tall again, forcing and recovering a fumble with the Predators closing in on the end zone.
Medlock marched the offense right down the field, and set up kicker Marc Orozco for a potential game-winning field goal. Orozco missed the kick, though, and the ball caromed off the right upright back into the field of play. However, Orlando tried to return the ball, and it bounced off the hands of one of their players, creating a live-ball situation. An Albany offensive lineman recovered the ball, setting up the offense with a fresh set of downs.
Three plays later, Orozco was sent back out to try another field goal try, and this one split the uprights, completing the comeback, and sending the Albany faithful home happy after a thrilling contest.
Albany (1-0) will be back at MVP Arena Thursday to take on the Nashville Kats at 8:00 p.m.