Albany gets past injuries in win
Late touchdown catch by Prince helps Empire hold off Columbus late
On an injury-plagued night for both teams, the Albany Empire outlasted the Columbus (Ga.) Lions and came away with a 39-31 victory on the road Saturday night.
Empire kicker Marc Orozco went down after a late hit with about a minute left in the first half, and Columbus quarterback Danny Southwick exited the game two plays later.
“I think I’m more proud of this win than any win thus far,” Albany coach Tom Menas said. “Where others don’t thrive with adversity, we have a way, based on character, of thriving when adversity strikes.”
Albany (4-1) is in a battle with the Carolina Cobras (5-1) for first place in the National Arena League. Columbus (2-2) is alone in third.
The preliminary indication is that Orozco’s knee is intact; Menas is hoping it’s a sprain or hyperextension.
Thanks to storms in the New York area, the Empire didn’t arrive in Columbus until 4 a.m. Saturday morning.
Adding insult to injury, they stopped en route at what was likely the only closed Waffle House in the state of Georgia. Waffle Houses are so famous for staying open — even in inclement weather — that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has an informal metric, the “Waffle House Index,” to determine the damage done by storms.
“It’s not just the players that won. The coaches did a great job, the front office did a great job to make sure we got through it,” Menas said. “Our guys had to play really, really hard tonight in order for us to get this victory because, let’s be honest, they were going on a few hours of sleep, very little food.”
Albany star wide receiver Darius Prince picked a good time for his first catch of the game, snagging a 21-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Sam Castronova to expand what had been a 33-31 Albany lead for the final tally late in the fourth quarter.
Prince, who averages 92 yards per game, also had an 18-yard kick return.
“They obviously doubleteamed him and put a lot of attention on Darius. That’s what happens when you’re the best player in the league,” Menas said.
Wide receiver Marquel Wade had six catches for 49 yards and
a touchdown, and Farrean Toney had a 26-yard touchdown catch. The Empire also rushed for 44 total yards and three touchdowns, led by Calvin Fance with three attempts for 17 yards and two touchdowns.
In Orozco’s absence, Castronova did kicking duties, going 0-for-1 on extra points. As a quarterback, he was 10-for-18 for 116 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
Darren Daniel, who hadn’t played since April 30, came in at quarterback for Columbus after halftime. He finished 9-for-19 for 94 yards and two touchdowns.
The Lions closed within 33-31 when Daniel pitched the ball to fullback Kerry Starks for a 7-yard touchdown, and Columbus was poised to take the lead after defensive back Droell Greene picked off Castronova. But the Empire defense forced a turnover on downs, and Castronova got the ball to Prince on the next play.
With less than two minutes left, the Lions had a final chance to score starting from the Empire 20. Cornelius Lewis, Wade and Dwayne Hollis each broke up a pass to give their offense the ball back, and the Empire ran out the clock for their third straight win.
“Character’s the ceiling, talent’s the floor,” Menas said. “I tell them all the time — I’ve never said this to a football team — I love these guys. They don’t complain, they don’t moan, groan. They just come to work, do their jobs, look after each other, and they’re some of the best people I know.”