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ALBANY – In a battle for first place in the Arena Football League, The Empire lost on Saturday, June 9, 59-56 after the Baltimore Brigade kicked a field goal with five second left on the clock.
It was a back and forth, thriller of a game in front of a crowd of nearly 9,000 with the teams playing even after the first quarter and then tied at 28 at the half. Albany outscored the Brigade in the fourth, 21-17, but did not have time to get off a play after the field goal except for the return.
Brigade quarterback Randy Hippeard threw for 270 yards and eight touchdowns and was named the game MVP award. Brigade receiver Brandon Thompkins had 17 receptions for 159 yards and three touchdowns to earn Offensive Player of the Game honors. Empire’s Brandon Stephens was named Defensive Player of the Game with 11.5 total tackles.
With four games left in the regular season in the AFL’s return to Albany, The Empire snap a five game winning streak and fall to second place with a 5-3 record. The Brigade are in first at 6-2.
Albany will next play Philadelphia Soul on June 16 at the Times Union Center.
Click on a photo below to view a slideshow of the rest.
