Firebirds put up Dukes, bounce Bobcats

MARK SINGELAIS
Staff writer

The Albany Firebirds vowed repeatedly that they'd become a better defensive team, and their off-season moves were geared to give them a better pass rush. In the first test of their revamped defense, the Firebirds smothered the Florida Bobcats for a 45-26 win Saturday night in the season-opener at West Palm Beach, Fla.

But while the defensive performance was encouraging, the offense was even more interesting. New head coach Mike Dailey appears determined to make fullback Chad Dukes a bigger part of the offense, and to lift some of the burden from offensive specialist Eddie Brown, the team's superstar.

Dukes, a Colonie High graduate, scored three touchdowns, while Brown was held scoreless. It was only the second time in Brown's four-year career that he played and didn't score. The last time was a playoff game against St. Louis Aug. 12, 1995.

Pete Elezovic booted four field goals, and wide receiver/linebacker Mike Baker was spectacular in his first game for the Firebirds, catching a touchdown pass and grabbing two interceptions.

Sloppy throughout the game, the Firebirds were ahead by only six points (20-14) at halftime.

Albany scored the first points of the second half on a safety when Florida quarterback Tom Luginbill fumbled into his own end zone despite being untouched.

The Firebirds were awarded two points, and they received a free kick. On the ensuing possession, Dukes scored on a 37-yard pass from quarterback Mike Pawlawski. Dukes broke tackles after the catch to get in the end zone. Elezovic's extra point increased Albany's lead to 29-14 with 12:07 remaining in the third quarter.

Late in the third quarter, Albany mounted a 42-yard drive, with Pawlawski completing a 17-yard pass to Dukes and a 13-yard pass to Charlie Davidson. Elezovic capped the drive with his fourth field goal to give Albany a 32-14 lead with 18 seconds left in the third.

On the last play of the third quarter, Florida coach Babe Parilli yanked Luginbill, who had been intercepted four times (twice by Baker, twice by Larry Jones) and replaced him with backup quarterback Clemente Gordon.

Gordon threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Darren Hughes on the first play of the fourth quarter to cut Albany's lead to 32-30.

But the Firebirds retaliated with a 32-yard drive, culminating in Rodney Smith's 3-yard touchdown run to give them an 18-point lead.

Florida closed to within 38-26 when Gordon threw his second touchdown pass, but Dukes' 5-yard touchdown run in the final two minutes secured the victory for Albany.

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