Sunday, December 25, 2016

AFL: Predators Blow Out Firebirds, 47-13

ALBANY, NY-The Orlando Predators crushed the slumping Albany Firebirds 47-13 in a Week 12 AFL contest.

On Orlando's first possession, they drove 70 yards on 16 plays. Abel White completed the drive with a 23-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead with 7:19 to go in the first quarter. The Firebirds would fumble the ensuing kickoff, and the Predators moved 23 yards on 5 plays. White scored on a 24-yard field goal to make it 6-0 Orlando with 5:20 left in the first quarter. Albany would drive into scoring position, only for Dom Wenning to miss a 51-yard field goal.

After the teams traded punts, Orlando went on a 3-play, 45-yard drive, DJ Haji threw a 13-yard touchdown to Steven Thompson to put the Predators up 13-0 with 12:26 remaining in the half. From there, Orlando broke the game wide open. After Albany went three-and-out, RW Warden fielded the punt and took off 56 yards for a touchdown to make it 20-0 with 10:50 left in the second quarter. Albany had a 9-play, 72-yard drive that ended with Wenning kicking a 25-yard field goal to make it 20-3 with 6:18 remaining in the half. But the Predators would answer with a 9-play, 80-yard drive. Haji finished the drive off with a 34-yard touchdown pass to Gene Crosby to put the Predators up 27-3 with 3:01 left in the second quarter. After antoher Albany punt, Orlando went 41 yards on 4 plays, ending with a 56-yard field goal by White making it 30-3 at the half.

In the second half, Albany went on a 8-play, 79-yard drive. Sinbad Gargaro finished it off with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Teddy Harley to make it 30-10 with 8:44 to go in the third quarter. Orlando answered with a 6-play, 27-yard drive that ended with a 45-yard field goal by White to make it 33-10 with 5:15 remaining in the third. Stud Springs returned the ensuing kickioff 62 yards to the Predators' 22-yard line, but Scooter Colby fumbled on the following play, and Silas Garris recovered for Orlando. Orlando went three-and-out, and Albany would then drive 39 yards on 6 plays. Wenning would kick a 39-yard field goal with 30 seconds remaining in the third, to make the score 33-13.

Orlando punted early in the fourth, then Gargaro was intercepted by Denver Frakes at the Orlando 18-yard line. D.J. Giles finished the 9-play, 82-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown run to go up 40-13 with 6:36 to go in the game. Following a miserable Firebird punt, the Predators drove 14 yards on 5 plays. Ramon Roden, filling in for the injured Haji, snuck in from the 2 and made it 47-13 with 3:25 left in the game.

Orlando (5-7) gained 465 yards of total offense. The Predators gained 181 yards rushing on 30 carries. Giles led the team with 141 yards on 25 carries and a TD. Haji went 22-of-30 passing for 285 yards and 2 TD. He was sacked twice, losing 21 yards. Roden went 4-of-7 for 20 yards and 1 INT. Thompson led the receivers with 8 catches for 88 yards and a TD. Orlando will host the Tampa Bay Storm next week in a rematch of a 20-17 loss in Week 1.

Albany (5-7) gained 350 yards of total offense. The Firebirds ran for 46 yards on 15 carries. Colby led the team with 16 yards on 6 carries. Gargaro went 24-of-40 passing for 322 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked four times, losing 18 yards. Harley led the receivers with 8 catches for 135 yards and a TD. The Firebirds will host the Detroit Drive next week in a rematch of a 31-28 loss in Week 1.

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