JERSEY FLIGHT DROP GAME LATE TO ALBANY EMPIRE IN CLOSE CAPITAL CITY CLASH CONTEST

(Photo courtesy of JS Garber Photos)

ALBANY, NY – Shorthanded and on the road in Albany Saturday night, the Jersey Flight turned in one of their most complete performances of the season but fell late in regulation in a 55-48 loss to the Albany Empire.

Jersey was paced under center by QB Warren Smith Jr., who went 24-38 for 284 yards and seven touchdowns to one interception. Four of those touchdowns went to WR Tyron Laughinghouse, with two additional touchdown catches from WR Jared Dangerfield and one more from WR Larry Beavers.

Beavers also pulled double duty on kickoffs, as the Flight did not dress a kicker for the game.

On defense, the Flight were able to limit Albany below their season average for points scored. DB Dwayne Hollis recorded a pick in the second half, just the fourth interception all season on Albany QB Tommy Grady.

DL/LB Calvin Fance had a sack on Grady, and the defensive unit as a whole held Albany to three of eight on third down conversion attempts, and one of three on fourth down conversion attempts.

Following the game, Laughinghouse and Beavers both spoke with team media and provided their thoughts on the game.

Speaking about what he saw that allowed him to haul in four scores, Laughinghouse said that he was happy to see one on one coverage, something that allowed him to exploit Albany’s defensive schemes.

“[I] just asked Warren to have faith in me, and I’ll go make the play for us,” Laughinghouse said. With that being said, he also understood that the Flight let an opportunity against a top team in Albany slip away.

“It was a big loss,” Laughinghouse said. “We’re up 14 points [late], just felt like we didn’t hold on to complete the win. We have to learn how to finish games. We’re a scary team if we make the playoffs, [but] we have to win the last game in Columbus to at least have a playoff shot.”

Laughinghouse also credited the defense and his fellow wide receivers for leaving it all on the field.

Beavers spoke about his impromptu kicking assignment, saying “it felt great honestly, being able to help the team where and whenever I can.”

Beavers added, “Kicking was something different, after all the bad kicks, my guys would come to me and be like ‘great kick, that’s all we needed.’”

Overall, beavers shared Laughinghouse’s mood that if they can snag a win against Columbus in the upcoming regular season finale and get some help in the standings, they have a chance to make a surprising amount of noise.

“All around, I felt the team played good [sic],” he said. “We could’ve done two things different and would’ve come out on top. But it’s been a rough year for me, I think. So, whatever I can do is a plus for me. Us as a team, we get in the playoff [and] it’s gonna get scary for the home team.”

The Jersey Flight are a professional Arena Football team based in Trenton, New Jersey. The Flight are a proud member of the National Arena League (NAL). Home games are played at CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton. The team is owned by New Flight Enterprises, LLC. Follow the team @JerseyFlight on Instagram and Facebook, and @JerseyFlightFB on Twitter.