Albany goes for sweep of Sharks
Empire back at home for the first time since Week 1 loss to Carolina Cobras
After three weeks away, the Albany Empire are glad to be back home.
Albany (2-1) hosts the Jacksonville Sharks at 7 p.m. Saturday at MVP Arena, the team’s first home game since a season-opening loss to the currently undefeated Carolina Cobras.
“The first game, I put on me,” said coach Tom Menas. “It wasn’t our kind of game, and it’s not the way we play.”
Though the defeat spoiled preseason predictions that the Empire could go unbeaten, Menas remained confident that the team would gel eventually.
“Once they became a family, we’d be unbeatable, because it’s really hard to let down family, and I think they’re at that stage right now,” he said. “If we do what we do well, I don’t see anyone beating us from here on out.”
The chemistry improved from Week 1 and the Empire won their next two games, including a one-point win over Jacksonville in overtime that ended when the Sharks’ kicker missed an extra point.
Albany, which led by eight with less than a minute left, had three turnovers and was called for penalties at crucial moments, allowing the Sharks to tie the game.
“We kind of didn’t close the game like we should have. We didn’t get timely stops and we didn’t get timely scores. So just a little bit more discipline,” said defensive back Dwayne Hollis. “We just got to work on closing and finishing.”
“I think our biggest opponent is us,” Menas said. “We’ve yet to play Empire football, which is four quarters, starting from the first snap to the last snap, and I’m looking forward to seeing if they can do it. We’ve been challenging them all week to live up to that.”
After losing the first three games of the season, Jacksonville (1-3) got its first win last weekend, 49-20 over the Columbus Lions.
“You got to respect Jacksonville. They started off bad but they got a win underneath their belt, and a team that gets their first win is always the most dangerous their next game,” wide receiver Darius Prince said.
Jacksonville quarterback Malik Henry leads the NAL with 925 passing yards and 21 touchdowns. His main target is Devin Wilson, who has a league-high 329 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Prince has 324 yards and nine touchdowns in one fewer game.
On defense, the Sharks sacked Columbus quarterback Danny Southwick eight times.
“He’s always going to be a formidable opponent,” Menas said of Jacksonville coach Siaha Burley. “I like going against what I feel are really good coaches, and I think he’s one of them, so I’m looking forward to the challenge
on Saturday.”
Albany quarterback Sam Castronova made his first start in Week 2 against Jacksonville. Mike Fafaul, who started in Week 1, was subsequently traded to the Sharks.
“That’s professional football. You’re going to trade players and cut players that end up at other places, and you always kind of wish them well, and you hope they continue to play football,” Menas said.
Notes: Albany receiver Jared Dangerfield is out, and defensive back Kenny Mcgruder has been activated from short-term injured reserve, though Menas said he won’t play. … The Empire added linemen Ben Bos and Miquail Harvey, wide receivers Marquel Wade and Aakiel Greer, and defensive back Jabari Gorman. … Jacksonville has four wide receivers on the injured list along with defensive lineman Mykeal White.