DETROIT-The Albany Firebirds took a step toward separating the logjam in the AFL's Eastern Division by defeating the Detroit Drive 22-13 in a Week 11 game.
The game began with Patch Brolie fumbling the opening kickoff, and Travis Edgar recovered for the Firebirds at the Drive 34-yard line. Five plays later, Tico Ponder scored on a 4-yard touchdown run to give Albany a 7-0 lead with 12:41 to go in the first quarter. Detroit looked to get on the board on their next possession, but Cletis Frayer's 32-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Durwood Aycock who returned it to the Firebirds' 46-yard line. The Firebirds went three-and-out, then the Drive's next possession was thwarted when Lou Couch was picked off by Butler Stonewall who returned it 15 yards to the Albany 43-yard line. The ensuing Firebirds' drive ended with Wally Dancer missing a 54-yard field goal attempt. Couch was picked off again by Jimmy Loggeman at the Firebirds' 30-yard line.
The teams would trade punts, then Ponder would be stripped of the ball, and Rasheed Harvell scooped it up and returned it 25 yards to the Drive 44-yard line. Artie Thom ended the 6-play, 56-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7 with 6:59 left in the second quarter. Albany's next drive would come to an end with Dancer's 39-yard field goal being partially blocked. After a Detroit punt, the Firebirds moved 53 yards on 6 plays. Sinbad Gargaro would fire a 41-yard touchdown pass to Teddy Harley with 30 seconds left to give Albany a 14-7 lead at the half.
The teams would trade punts to open the third quarter. Flint Percell would down a punt on the Drive 1-yard line. On the next play, Brolie was tackled in the end zone by Toney Allingham for a safety to make it 16-7 with 6:30 to go in the third quarter. After the safety kick, the Firebirds looked to add to their lead, but Abdul Fowler fumbled, and Ham Thom recovered for Detroit at their own 35-yard line.
Following the turnover, the Drive moved 43 yards on 7 plays. Frayer opened the fourth quarter with a 39-yard field goal to make the score 16-10 with 14:53 to go in the fourth quarter. The Firebirds would answer with an 8-play, 61-play drive. Dancer would kick a 36-yard field goal to make it 19-10 with 11:17 to go in the fourth. Detroit would punt, then Ponder would fumble and Thom fell on it for the Drive at their own 47-yard line. After going 48 yards on 6 plays, Frayer would kick a 22-yard field goal to make it 19-13 with 3:21 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Firebirds would punt, then the Drive were turned away on fourth down deep in their own territory. Albany gained eight yards on three plays, and Dancer kicked a 38-yard field goal with 47 seconds left in the game to make it 22-13.
Albany (6-5) gained 352 yards of total offense. The Firebirds ran for 85 yards on 29 carries. Fowler led the team with 34 yards on 13 carries and a TD. Gargaro was 26-of-42 passing for 278 yards and a TD. He was sacked once for a 11-yard loss. Garry Farr was the leading receiver with 6 catches for 47 yards. The Firebirds will visit the Georgia Force next week.
Detroit (5-6) gained 319 yards of total offense. The Drive ran for 175 yards on 26 carries. Artie Thom led the team with 83 yards on 12 carries and a TD. Couch was 11-of-27 passing for 143 yards and 2 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 15 yards. Vern Kelly led the receivers with 4 catches for 82 yards. Next week, the Drive will visit the Orlando Predators.
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