Albany Panthers win SIFL Championship

by Walter L. Johnson II

The Albany Panthers are the 2011 Southern Indoor Football League champions!

They won their first-ever professional football championship after outlasting the Louisiana Swashbucklers, 69-48, in the SIFL title game at the Albany Civic Center Saturday night.

Albany (13-2) won the title despite a controversial change in the score at halftime.  Kicker Geoff Boyer made three drop kick extra points during the first half, which were actually worth one point each, instead of two points.

As a result, the home team trailed 27-21, instead of 27-24 going into the second half.

Panthers head coach Lucious Davis took the controversy in stride.

“There was nothing I could do about it,” Davis said. “It was the right call by the officials, so we just got through with it, and we just had to keep battling.

Both teams did find themselves in a battle, for much of the first half, as the Panthers led for all but the last 15 seconds of it.

A late interception from quarterback Cecil Lester helped set up the go-ahead touchdown for Louisiana (10-5). 

Sammy Knight, who started at quarterback for the Swashbucklers, wasted no time in capitalizing on that Albany turnover, taking it straight into the end zone on a designed play.  That score actually broke a 21-21 tie, and it gave the visitors an actual six-point lead going into intermission.

The controversy over the actual halftime score ultimately meant nothing as far as the eventual outcome was concerned, said Panthers general manager Will Carter.

“It was a rule that we were able to kick (for a) drop kick all year long,” Carter said, “and it was always two points, and for whatever reason, they said that it wasn’t good this week.

“But, hey, it didn’t matter,” Carter added. “We just had to play football, and came out here, and played, and still won the game.”

The second half saw a total turning of the tables for both teams, as the Panthers defense started making the critical stops when it had to.

After forcing a three-and-out early in the third quarter, Albany went ahead to stay almost five minutes into the period on a touchdown, plus a subsequent two-point conversion, at 29-27.

The Panthers later added another touchdown, followed by an “uno”, giving them their largest lead of the contest at 36-27, with just under eight minutes to play in the period. 

The Swashbucklers got no closer than two points in the final period, as the Panthers built their largest lead at 21 points en route to the championship win.

Both Carter and Davis are allowing the reality of winning a championship to sink in.

“It’s just so real,” Carter said. “I can’t believe it has completely hit me.

"This is a great feeling, this is great for the city of Albany and surrounding counties.  Our fans are great; we had over 7,400 some odd fans in the Civic Center (Saturday).

“They were amazing; they were in the game all night long. Great ownership (in) Rod Chappell, head coach Lucious Davis, great staff (director of community development) Elizabeth Faircloth, (it was) a complete team effort.”

Davis also had good feelings from bringing the SIFL title to Albany.

“It feels good,” Davis said. “We worked hard all season, and my guys, we deserve it.

“I’m so grateful to have those guys to come back, I thank God for giving me this opportunity.”

SIFL: Albany Panthers advance in playoffs; outlast Erie, 68-43

by Walter L. Johnson II

The second time was the charm for the Albany Panthers, in their second season in the Southern Indoor Football League.

After suffering a heartbreaking loss in the opening round of last year’s SIFL playoffs, the Panthers won their first-ever playoff game at the Albany Civic Center Saturday night, as they held off the Erie (Pa.) Explosion for a 68-43 win.

The win erased bitter memories of last year’s opening round playoff loss to the Louisiana Swashbucklers, as they stunned the Panthers en route to the title game.  It was a win that brought great delight to defensive back Demetrie McCray.

“Thinking about last year’s loss, we had our fans to back up (Saturday), too,” McCray said. “That’s how we came out with the energy we came out with.”

The opening kickoff helped set the tone for the big win, as kicker Geoff Boyer scored the first of his three ‘uno's’ in the contest, for a 1-0 lead.

Antwone Savage then made the first of his three touchdown catches almost three minutes of the game, following a McCray interception.  His 11-yard reception from quarterback Cecil Lester gave the Panthers an 8-0 lead.  He finished with six catches for 75 yards and four touchdowns.

“It was a good night,” Savage said. “We just practiced hard this week, and came out, and made some big plays in the game, and we came out on top.”

 Coming in as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, Erie got to within one possession only twice throughout the game.  Still, Albany head coach Lucious Davis felt his defensive unit was challenged at times stopping the explosive Erie offense.

“We knew (Erie) had a tough offense,” Davis said. “So, we wanted to come in, and hopefully our game plan would work out.”

With the win, the Panthers will travel to Columbus next week to take on the defending SIFL champion Lions.   They held off the Trenton (N.J.) Steel, 62-60, in the other Eastern Conference semifinal game.

Columbus has won two of the three regular season meetings against Albany; with the Lions most recent win over the Panthers coming just over two weeks ago, 58-39, on June 4.

Davis stressed that consistency will be the key to victory over the Lions, especially with so much at stake.

“We just have to play consistent,” Davis said. “It seems like every time we play (Columbus), it’s for something, either we play them for the (Southern) division (title), or we’re playing for the best record, or for first place.  It’s something I’m looking forward to.”

Southern Indoor Football League: Albany rallies, rolls past Alabama, 68-51

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Albany Panthers wide receiver Antwontis Cutts (8) is introduced to the crowd as walks down onto the field prior to their game against the Alabama Hammers on Saturday, June 11, 2011.

by Walter L. Johnson II

Are you ready for some home cooking?

The Albany Panthers are ready for it. They had to overcome an early two-touchdown deficit to defeat the Alabama Hammers in their home regular season finale, 68-51, at the Albany Civic Center Saturday night.

With the win, the Panthers finished the regular season at 10-2, and will be seeded second for the opening round of the Southern Indoor Football League playoffs that will start next weekend.

Albany will host the Erie Explosion to open the SIFL playoffs.  A loss could have forced the Panthers to travel to Pennsylvania for postseason play as the No. 3 seed.

Things started off badly for Albany, as Charles McClain returned the opening kickoff 46 yards for the game’s first touchdown.  That gave the Hammers an early 7-0 lead.

Another touchdown catch from McClain later in the opening period gave the visiting team a 20-13 lead.  Alabama built its largest lead of the contest at 27-13 on a one-yard touchdown run from Henry Freeman with just under ten minutes to play in the first half. 

Trailing 34-25 at halftime, Panthers head coach Lucious Davis lit a fire under his team, sparking a tremendous rally in the second half.

“At halftime, we just talked about doing what we’re supposed to do, (and) executing,” Davis said. “I don’t think we executed well in the first half at times.  But once we turned on, and did things right, everything looked good.”

Things definitely started to look good for the Panthers once the second half started, as Levance Richmond gave the home team good field position on the opening kickoff. 

That return set up the first score of the second half, as quarterback Cecil Lester connected with wide receiver Antwone Savage for a 20-yard touchdown pass just 34 seconds into it, closing the gap to 34-32.

The Panthers went ahead to stay later in the third period on a 14-yard Lester strike to Clenton Rafe, giving them a 41-37 lead.  Richmond later returned one of his three interceptions for a touchdown more than a minute later, increasing that advantage to 47-37.

“I saw (the ball) coming off the wall, and I just stayed with the play,” explained Richmond after the game.  “As long as the play was live, I just kept (going), and I returned it for a touchdown.”

Albany continued to build its lead in the closing seconds, even getting a four-point drop kick from Boyer with just 34 seconds to play, giving the Panthers the 17-point victory.

With the No. 2 seed, and home-field advantage now sealed for the Panthers, Davis says it’s a one-game season.

“We just got to out and executive now,” Davis said. “Now, it’s do or die, no next week, so we just have to go out (next) week and win.”

PHOTO EXTRA--Businesswoman announces run for Albany mayor

Business owner B.J. Fletcher addresses spectators at the Downtown Fresh Market in Albany.  She announced on Tuesday that she plans to run for mayor of Albany.  She joins two other candidates, Kirk Smith, as well as city commissioner Dorothy Hubbard as candidates to replace the outgoing mayor, Willie Adams, who announced he would not seek re-election earlier this year.  

Photo courtesy of G.E.M.S. Communications

SIFL: Albany Panthers fall to Columbus, 60-56

Derrick Wimbush (2) scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the Columbus Lions.

by Walter L. Johnson II

The Albany Panthers not only saw their hopes of remaining undefeated go down the drain, they also fell out of first place in the Southern Division of the Southern Indoor Football League for the first time all season as well, all in one mistake-filled night.

The defending SIFL champion Columbus Lions played like the champions they were at the Albany Civic Center Saturday night, as they handed the Panthers their first loss of the 2011 season in a 60-56 win.

"They're a good team," Panthers head coach Lucious Davis said of the Lions after the game. "We just have to go back to it, and try to (pull) out a win next week."

Leading 13-3 late in the first quarter, a series of mental mistakes allowed Columbus (8-1) to take a 17-13 lead in the early stages of the second quarter.  It was the start of a seesaw battle for the remainder of the first half, ending with a one-yard touchdown run by Anthony Merritt with 12.5 seconds left.  That gave the Lions a 37-30 halftime lead.

After stopping Albany (7-1) on downs to start the second half, Columbus wasted no time in taking advantage, as starting quarterback Chris McCoy ended a five-play, 34-yard drive with a touchdown run from four yards out.  

McCoy's touchdown gave the Lions a lead they would not relinquish at 44-30.  The Panthers would spend the rest of the night trying to play catch-up, as they no closer than two points down the stretch.

Penalties killed Albany's chances at making a late comeback, committing eight of them for 133 yards.  But Columbus also made the most of their chances in the red zone, scoring seven times in eight tries.

"(Columbus) made some big plays down the stretch," said Davis. "But we've just got to keep playing.  (The Lions) are a championship team.  You can't expect to fall down, they played good."

Davis added: "We just have to make sure we learn from our mistakes, and come back next week ready to play."

The defense struggled to get the key stops they usually made.  In all, Albany gave up 289 yards of total offense to Columbus in defeat.

"We should have made stops, and we had a couple of plays that we didn't capitalize on," McCray said. "As a defense, our job is to keep the opposing team from scoring."

"A couple of times, we didn't do that," added McCray. "We fought hard to the end, but at the same time, we got to keep the other team from scoring."

That task became more difficult,  as defensive back Levance Richmond left the game with an injury at the one-minute warning late in the first half.  It's not known how long he might be out.

"I think a big part of that was losing Levance," McCray said. "He's a big part of our defense, and that played a big part of us (struggling)."

Wide receiver Antwontis Cutts had his usual share of heroics in a losing effort.  He finished the night with five catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns. 

Still, Cutts says the Panthers were their own worst enemy, whether the Lions were defending SIFL champions or not.

"We beat ourselves," Cutts said.  "A lot of people went down, but we can't make excuses.  We hurt ourselves, the Columbus Lions didn't beat us, we beat ourselves."

The Panthers now face their toughest road swing in their short SIFL history next weekend, starting with a trip to Huntsville, Ala. to face the Alabama Hammers.  Davis says his team must put the loss to the Lions behind them quickly, and focus on winning down the stretch.

 "We just have to win, that's all," Davis said. "But we've got four games left, and we just have to win.  That's all to it."

SIFL: Albany Panthers outlast Richmond Raiders, 61-46

by Walter L. Johnson II

Still undefeated.

That’s what the Albany Panthers are after they outlasted the Richmond Raiders, 61-46, in a battle of division leaders at the Albany Civic Center Saturday night.

The win improved Albany’s record to 7-0 on the 2011 season.  It’s the first-ever such start in the Panthers short history in the Southern Indoor Football League.  They’re still in first place in the Southern division after seven games.

The home team overcame a deficit of as much as 10 points in the second quarter to keep their unbeaten streak intact.  A 49-yard completion to wide receiver Antwone Savage as time ran out gave Albany a 27-23 halftime lead.

Cecil Lester had another big night at quarterback for the Panthers.  He completed 22 of 34 passes for almost 300 yards and eight touchdowns.  John Harris had a huge night catching the ball, making seven of them for 86 yards and two scores.

The defense did its part to keep the Panthers perfect.  Richmond Raiders quarterback Mike Potts completed only 18 of 39 passes for over 200 yards, while throwing five interceptions. 

Albany now enjoys next week off.  The Panthers return home on May 14 to face the Columbus Lions in another key Southern Division match-up.

About ABC on WALB, with General Manager Jim Wilcox

Editor's Note: The Albany, Georgia television market will finally get an ABC affiliate on April 27, 2011, when WALB-TV will debut its "ABC for South Georgia" channel, on the over-the-air digital channel 10.2.  Following is an interview with WALB Vice President and General Manager Jim Wilcox.

1. Why WALB for ABC in Albany?

(Wilcox) A few things made this new ABC station possible…the technology, the opportunity, our parent company, Raycom Media, and the ABC network of course.

 

The Albany market is what is called a “short market”, which means we are missing one of the top 4 network affiliates. It is ideal for the local viewers in each major city, to have a local affiliate station, from each network, not only for quality reception, but for local news, sports, and weather coverage. As we know from our history of major floods, and deadly tornados in South Georgia, this has been especially important in emergency situations. Surrounding markets which have all 4 network stations are: Macon, Columbus, and Tallahassee.

The previous ABC provider for Albany, was WTVM from Columbus, Ga. WTVM and WALB, are owned by the same company, Raycom Media. 

Raycom saw the opportunity to better serve South Georgia. 

The major factor in the ABC decision to offer the digital affiliation to WALB, was the heavy commitment to local news, provided by WALB. Networks realize that the loyal local news audience drives viewership for the network programs that follow.

2. Before the mandated switch to digital broadcasting in 2009, viewers who wanted to watch ABC programming were forced to watch out of market stations such as WTVM out of Columbus, WTXL from Tallahassee, and others, whether it be via antenna, cable, or satellite. What should viewers expect from the new ABC channel (10.2) as far as the coverage area is concerned?

(Wilcox) Anyone who can see the WALB NBC signal, over the air, will be able to see the WALB ABC signal. The coverage will be identical, and there will be positive results in several other areas:

First it will expand the public service to local residents, with additional news sports, & weather. Now, viewers are watching an ABC from another city, which does not interrupt or run crawls in cases of a specific South Georgia emergency: weather, a major traffic accident, etc…

Our weather tracking / forecasting equipment is very capable of giving viewers very accurate and up to date warnings, of when severe weather will arrive at their location, down to the minute. After our launch, the local ABC, including all local syndicated programming, can be interrupted, offering this, sometimes life saving information.

The new ABC will also feature a new and exclusive 7:00 pm newscast, not available at that hour before. It will be live, and anchored by our same award winning team, Dawn Hobby and Ben Roberts.

ABC programming reception will be far better than ever possible before. About 10% of our area’s homes only receive TV stations, over the air. Most of these are elderly or lower income, and depend heavily on this free service.

Our ABC serves the Albany DMA market. The 17 county DMA area consists of:  Dougherty, Lee, Worth, Baker, Terrell, Tift, Turner, Crisp, Calhoun, Mitchell, Colquitt, Cook, Berrien, Atkinson, Coffee, Irwin, and Ben Hill.

We will broadcast the new ABC station from the same tower as WALB, in Doerun, Ga  Therefore our new multicast ABC may be able to be picked up in our significantly viewed counties: Stewart, Webster, Sumter, Dooly, Wilcox, Dodge, Pulaski, Telfair, Wheeler, Jeff Davis, Montgomery, Toombs, Appling, Bacon, Ware, Clinch, Lanier, Echols, Lowndes, Brooks, Thomas, Grady, Decatur, Seminole, Miller, Early, Clay, Randolph, and Quitman.

3. For its first 25 years (circa 1954-1979) on the air, WALB aired select ABC shows, as a secondary affiliate.  What impact will the new ABC channel in terms of programming choices?

(Wilcox) Using the new digital technology, we will be able to offer viewers in South Georgia, the full and complete lineups of both networks. We will not have to choose one program or the other. Both network’s programs will be available…and the viewers get to make the choice.

WALB and ABC have a history in Albany already, in the 50’s, during the growth and development of TV, there were only two networks…NBC, the first, and then CBS. Years later, the ABC network came along, but the networks did not have a full slate of primetime programs for each day of the week and from 8-11pm. Many stations such as WALB, were able to hold a dual affiliation, and could pick and choose the best from both NBC and ABC. Until the late 1970’s WALB held this dual-affiliation status, with NBC and ABC. Once NBC had an adequate number of hours of programming, it was not possible to continue carrying ABC, with only analog technology available at the time.

The new ABC will greatly improve programming choices for area viewers. As far as ABC programs, when we launch April 27^th, we will carry their complete network schedule without exception. Many syndicated programs, already airing on WALB, will be offered at different times on the ABC channel, such as: The Doctors at 9am, Entertainment Tonight at 5pm, Inside Edition at 5:30pm. We will add a new live half-hour newscast at 7pm, and a new program…Access Hollywood at 7:30pm. Additional church programs will be available Sunday mornings, and new children’s programs on Saturday mornings.

4. What impact will ABC have on advertising in the Albany DMA, and beyond?

 

(Wilcox) First it will expand the local advertising choices. ABC is a major network, with popular programs, and loyal viewers. For the first time, businesses can take advantage of this, placing ads in prime ABC entertainment and sports program positions.

Our goal for the new ABC is to become the #2 TV station in the Albany market, both in audience and advertising revenue.

The advertising rates on the ABC will be less expensive than WALB, due to the much higher number of viewers on WALB. Advertising rates are based on the number of thousands, reached in each program.

The strongest factor in the growth of the new ABC, will be the heavy promotion on WALB-NBC. 

It will definitely grow the DMA, (designated market area) market. Each county falls into only one city’s DMA, Nielsen assigns a county to one DMA over another, based on which city’s TV stations, receives more than 50% of total TV viewing.

In the past, Albany had only 2 TV stations WALB-NBC, and WFXL-FOX.  WALB is the #1 viewed station in 40 counties, but with only 2 stations from Albany, against 4 from Columbus, Macon, or Tallahassee, those cities deliver more than 50% of total viewing and win the county for their DMA. A couple of years ago, WCTV began broadcasting a local CBS station from Moultrie, WSWG-CBS. Now as we add a local ABC in April, we will for the first time have 4 against 4, in this Nielsen ratings war, and the Albany market will win several new counties to the DMA market.

This market growth issue is significant, because many national companies buy advertising in markets based on their size. Also chain stores, fast food restaurants etc, combine co-op dollars from locations in each market’s DMA counties. The larger the DMA, the larger the pool of advertising dollars to place on local TV stations.

Albany, Ga. is currently #147 market size, in the country, and includes 17 counties around Albany. Albany could easily move up to a top 100 DMA, with 25 or more counties…

5. Will the new ABC channel air in the Valdosta and Thomasville areas?

(Wilcox) Yes, most counties in South Georgia, will be able to pick up our new ABC, since we will be broadcasting from the same tower in Doerun, Ga. (near Moultrie).

Many in those counties do pick us up over the air, since we are not on satellite there. The new ABC will not be carried on DISH and Direct TV, in Lowndes and Thomas County.  These two counties fall into the Tallahassee market or DMA. As I said earlier, I believe with the addition of a local ABC,  many new counties will be added to the Albany DMA, from adjacent DMA’s.

6. Is there anything else you would like to talk about, that hasn't been discussed so far?

 (Wilcox) We do not know the exact channel number our ABC on DISH and Direct TV, but here is the channel location we received from Mediacom Cable…Effective 5:00 am, April 27, 2011, Mediacom Cable will add WALB-ABC on channel 9 and WALB -ABC HD on channel 809 in the Albany area; in the Pearson communities we will add WALB-ABC on channel 7 and WALB-ABC HD on channel 807; in the Fitzgerald communities, we will add WALB-ABC on channel 10 and WALB-ABC HD on channel 810; in the Camilla communities, we will add WALB-ABC on channel 2 and WALB-ABC HD on channel 802 and in the Moultrie communities.

7. Do you have any final comments?

(Wilcox) We are very excited to bring this new ABC channel to South Georgia.

2011 marks 57 years of public service by WALB.  This new ABC chapter, follows a proud heritage of  not only technical innovations, but quality local programming such as “The Captain Mercury Show” , “Circus Parade”, “The Lazy A Ranch”, “Town and Country” and of course leading the way…WALB News 10.

WALB’s well known personalities over the years, became more like trusted family members, such as; Gill Patrick, Ducky Wall, Clem Clown, and Grady Shadburn,

This tradition continues today with Ruthie Garner, Dawn Hobby, Ben Roberts, Jim Wallace, Karla Heath-Sands, Yolanda Amadeo, and Chris Zelman.

I’m sure we will look back on this addition of a local ABC affiliate, as one of the biggest modern milestones in our station’s history…

SIFL: Albany Panthers roll past Columbus Lions, 46-26

Albany Panthers players celebrate after scoring a touchdown against the Columbus Lions.

by Walter L. Johnson II

The third time was the charm for the Albany Panthers.

As in a third win in four tries against the Columbus Lions, in week three of the Southern Indoor Football League season.

The Panthers got their biggest win of the 2011 season so far at the Albany Civic Center, as they overcame a sluggish first half to dominate the second half in a 46-26 win over the defending SIFL champions Saturday night.

“We struggled at the beginning, but once we picked everything up, then we got a lot better,” Panthers head coach Lucious Davis said.  “We just can’t start slow.

“I thought we dropped some passes,” added Davis.  “I thought we missed some blocks here and there, (the Panthers) missed some throws early.  Once we capitalize, and minimize those mistakes, then we’re pretty good.”

Albany (3-0) scored the game’s first points on a four-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cecil Lester to Brandon Bishop.  The Panthers took a 7-0 lead after a made extra point by Wes Virgilio.

But it didn’t take long for Columbus (2-1) to strike back, as Gerald Gales and the visiting Lions needed two plays and 30 yards in just 50 seconds to tie the score on a 16-yard catch from Chris McCoy.  Trey Crum added a 23-yard field goal as time expired to give the Lions a 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Both teams continued their seesaw battle in the second quarter, as the Panthers tied the game at 10-10 on a 26-yard field goal by Virgilio.  

But the Lions retook the lead on the ensuing kickoff, with Anthony Merritt returning it the full 50 yards for a touchdown.  The missed extra point made the score 16-10 in favor of Columbus.  A safety scored by the Albany defense, thanks to a holding penalty against Columbus, closed the gap to 16-12 at halftime.

Albany’s slumbering offense woke up in the second half, especially in the early stages of the third quarter, thanks to wide receiver John Harris.

Harris caught four passes for 62 yards for three touchdowns, all of which came in the second half.  His first touchdown was good for 23 yards, his longest, putting the Panthers ahead 19-16 with 9:35 to play in the third quarter.

“Just coming out, and playing hard, and going out, that’s catching (touchdowns)” Harris said when asked about his mindset when catching those three touchdowns in the second half. “My (senses) came to me in the second half, so I tried to make big plays for them when I got the opportunity to.”

After a second field goal by Crum tied the game at 19-19 with less than six minutes to play in the third quarter, a second touchdown catch by Harris with less than 90 seconds remaining put the Panthers ahead to stay at 26-19.

Albany then outscored Columbus 20-7 in the fourth quarter to earn its third win in as many games.

The defense was one of the main reasons the Panthers are still undefeated after playing three games.  Defensive back Demetrie McCray says the defense had to overcome its own struggles to help win the game over the Lions.

“Even though we don’t start out hot at first, but as a defense, our job is to keep the opponent from scoring,” McCray said. “So, that’s our mindset, no matter what’s going on with the offense, our job is to keep the opponent from scoring.”

The Panthers will get unexpected bye week next weekend, before returning to action against the expansion Alabama Hammers on April 16.  They were scheduled to travel to Lafayette, La. to play against the Lafayette Wildcatters, but that franchise folded prior to Week 1.

 
McCray says he and his teammates are looking forward to taking that much needed time off 

after a big win over the defending SIFL champions, albeit unplanned.


“We have a week rest next week,” McCray said. “We left everything after (Saturday) night, so we

can rest, and heal up all the little injuries and stuff, can heal up next week, then we can come 

back for a home game against Alabama week after next.”

           

           

Video--Touchdown catch by John Harris of the Albany Panthers

Albany Panthers wide receiver John Harris catches a pass in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown during their come-from-behind 30-27 win over the Louisiana Swashbucklers in a Southern Indoor Football League game on Saturday, March 19, 2011.

SIFL: Albany Panthers rally to shock Louisiana Swashbucklers, 30-27

Albany Panthers wide receiver Antwone Savage (6) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Louisiana Swashbucklers in Southern Indoor Football League action at the Albany Civic Center on Saturday, March 19, 2011.

by Walter L. Johnson II

The Albany Panthers proved the old adage of  ‘it’s not how you start, but how you finish.’

A 39-yard field goal by Wes Virgilio as time expired capped an improbable comeback, as the Panthers began their second season in the Southern Indoor Football League on a winning note, stunning the Louisiana Swashbucklers, 30-27, at the Albany Civic Center Saturday night.

“Those (missed) extra points, and the field goal, I hit the pole every time,” Virgilio said. “They weren’t bad kicks, they just missed.

“We had a good talking at the halftime,” Virgilio added, “and we all came back, and we did it all together. I just had to put the icing on the top.”

The road to that so-called ‘icing on the top’ began in the second half, with the Panthers trailing 27-7.  Albany (1-0) started the rally just three minutes into the third quarter, as back-up quarterback Cecil Lester threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to John Harris, pulling the Panthers to within two scores at 27-13.

“Just take it one play at a time,” Lester said after the game. “Like (the coaches) said at halftime, there are no 20-point plays in football, so we had to take it one play at a time.”

Albany head coach Lucious Davis echoed the reaction of Lester in making the comeback, saying that the Panthers had to compose themselves to play better in the second half.

“We weren’t playing that bad, we were just doing a lot of things wrong,” Davis said. “So, I just told them, just calm down, and settle down and play.

“I think a lot of guys were just all excited about the game, and wanted to beat (the Swashbucklers) bad,” added Davis, “instead of just doing their job, and taking it one play at a time.”

Albany scored the first points of the game almost three minutes into the contest, as starting quarterback A.J. McKenna connected with wide receiver Antwone Savage for a 6-0 lead. A rouge by Virgilio on the kickoff gave the Panthers a 7-0 lead.

But Louisiana (0-1) dominated the rest of the first half, scoring 27 unanswered points to take the lead into the locker room at halftime.

Still, Albany fought back in the second half, as the defense forced two Swashbuckler turnovers to help to swing the momentum in the Panthers favor.

“The defense played a lot better in the second half,” Davis said. “It was just a lot of little that we (weren’t) doing.  Once we corrected the little things that we were doing, (we) got the pressure that we needed, and everything else came through.”

As the Panthers prepare for their first road game of the season against the Carolina Speed Friday, Davis knows his team must get off to a better start to have a chance to win.

“We can’t slow start (like) we did (Saturday),” explained Davis. “If we start this slow, it’s going to be a long night again. 

“We just have to capitalize.  We dropped four touchdowns, and we blew some protection assignments.  If we eliminate that, then we’ll be fine.  We have a lot of improvement to do.”