FLIPPERS FIRST LOOK: ALBANY EMPIRE VS ORLANDO PREDATORS

GAME PREVIEW: ALBANY EMPIRE VS. ORLANDO PREDATORS 

Orlando, FLA -- The Orlando Predators (1-1) will play host to the undefeated Albany Empire (3-0) on Saturday, June 19th at 7pm in their first home game of the year at the Amway Center.

Heading into the matchup, the Preds won their first game of the year on the road against their in-state rival defending National Arena League Champion Jacksonville Sharks, 52, 41 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. 

The Preds posted up 253 yards of total offense behind quarterback Bryan Hicks’ five touchdown tosses, four of which found wide receiver DJ Myers on the receiving end.

Myers was a man on a mission, finishing his night in Jacksonville with five touchdown receptions and also eclipsed 100 receiving yards (103). 

Preds pass catchers Donovan Rasberry and Desmond Epps each caught a touchdown in the second half to help secure the Preds lead when the Sharks started to narrow the deficit. 

Myers also made moves on defense, registering an interception when subbing in at linebacker for an injured player.

Myers' performance earned him NAL “Defensive Player of the Week” award after an impressive performance on both sides of the ball. 

Orlando Predators players have won DPOW in consecutive games with defensive back Josh Jenkins taking the title last week. Jenkins performed well against Jacksonville as well, snagging an interception in the end-zone in the third period of play. 

Mike Carey was able to take away a pass and come up with an interception as well. 

Overall, Orlando’s defense played very well, forcing four turnovers against the opposing offense. Defensive back Brian Foy was able to take a fumble recovery the distance for a 50-yard touchdown after the Sharks coughed the ball up at Orlando’s 1-yard line.

On the other end, Albany absolutely routed the Carolina Cobras 83, 53 at home in the Times Union Center. 

The Empire’s 30-point victory included quarterback Sam Catronova scoring seven times through the air. 

Wide receiver’s BJ Bunn and Kendrick Igs both combined for 19 catches and seven scores across 284 yards. 

The key to the game will be slowing down Albany’s high powered offense, which has scored 208 points across their three contests thus far. The Empire have not scored less than 60 points in any game this season.

Fortunate enough for Orlando, they were able to get some key stops against the Sharks in last week.

This matchup will feature the first home game at the Amway Center for the Orlando Predators during the 2021 season.

If you are a first responder or frontline worker, make show to go to the Amway Center this Saturday, June 19th for our first home game, make sure to show your badge or ID at the Box Office and you will get two tickets to the game that night from our box office when we host the Albany Empire! We appreciate you for all you do.

About the Orlando Predators: 

The Orlando Predators are a professional Arena Football team based in Orlando, Florida and a member of the National Arena League (NAL).  The team was founded in 1991 as an expansion team of the Arena Football League (AFL). The team advanced to the playoffs 19 consecutive seasons between 1992 and 2011, becoming the Arena Bowl champions in 1998 and 2000 during that span. The team plays their home games at the Amway Center in beautiful downtown Orlando, FL. For more information about the Orlando Predators visit www.orlandopredatorsfootball.com.