Albany Panthers
| Albany Panthers | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Founded | 2009 |
| League | SIFL (2010-2011) PIFL (2012-present) |
| Team history | Albany Panthers (2010-present) |
| Arena | James H. Gray Civic Center |
| Based in | Albany, Georgia |
| Team colors | Black, Purple, Gold |
| Owner(s) | Rod Chappell |
| Head coach | Lucious Davis |
| General Manager | Will Carter |
| Championships | 2 (2011 SIFL)(2012 PIFL) |
| Division titles | 3 (2010, 2011 SIFL)(2012 PIFL) |
| Dancers | Felines |
| Mascot | Prowler |
| Website | www.AlbanyPanthers.net |
The Albany Panthers are an indoor football team in the Professional Indoor Football League. Based in Albany, Georgia, their home games are played at the James H. Gray Civic Center.
The Panthers are the second indoor/arena team to play in Albany, following the af2's South Georgia Wildcats which played from 2005 until the league shut down after the 2009 season.
Contents |
Franchise history [edit]
In January 2010, the Panthers were announced as members of the Southern Indoor Football League. They would finish the season at 8-4 and as the #1 overall team in the league, clinching their first ever playoff appearance against the Louisiana Swashbucklers. They would lose however, 41-35,[1] ending their first season at 8-5. The loss also was the first home loss for the franchise.
2011 season [edit]
The Panthers returned to the SIFL, which had expanded from just five teams to sixteen during the offseason, for their second season. Finishing 9-2, they clinched their second playoff berth and the #2 seed. They hosted the 9-3 Erie Explosion in the first round of the playoffs, winning 68-43 and earning their first playoff win and berth in the eastern conference championship against the Columbus Lions. They would go on to win that game as well, and coupled with a Louisiana upset over the undefeated Houston Stallions, would play in and host their first ever championship game. On July 1, 2011, they beat the Louisiana Swashbucklers 69-48,[2] to win their first ever championship.
2011 Schedule [edit]
| Opponent | Final Score | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Swashbucklers | W 30-27 | 1-0 |
| @Carolina Speed | W 58-45 | 2-0 |
| Columbus Lions | W 46-26 | 3-0 |
| @Lafayette Wildcatters | W Forfeit | 4-0 |
| Alabama Hammers | W 47-26 | 5-0 |
| @Fayetteville Force | W 43-40 | 6-0 |
| Richmond Raiders | W 61-46 | 7-0 |
| Columbus Lions | L 56-60 | 7-1 |
| @Alabama Hammers | W 86-70 | 8-1 |
| @Richmond Raiders | W 48-42 | 9-1 |
| @Columbus Lions | L 58-39 | 9-2 |
| Alabama Hammers | W 68-51 | 10-2 |
| Playoffs | Final Score |
|---|---|
| Qtrs. Erie Explosion | W 68-43 |
| Conf. @Columbus Lions | W 75-61 |
| SIFL Champ. Louisiana Swashbucklers | W 69-48 |
In September 2011, many SIFL teams began to move to other leagues, with the Texas-based teams forming the Lone Star Football League and many other teams being absorbed into American Indoor Football and several other leagues. In fact, the SIFL would break off mainly into three different regional leagues.
The Panthers, along with the Columbus Lions, Richmond Raiders, Alabama Hammers, and Louisiana Swashbucklers formed the PIFL.[3] They were joined by one expansion team, the Knoxville NightHawks.
New League and 2012 season [edit]
The Panthers finished their 2012 regular season at 10-2, with their two losses coming on the road and by a combined score of three points, clinching the #1 seed in the playoffs. They beat the Columbus Lions 60-36 in the first round, ensuring they would host their second straight championship game. On June 30, 2012, they won PIFL Cup I, 60-56,[4] against the Richmond Raiders. The win gave the Panthers back-to-back Championships, while playing in two different leagues. The win also increased their home winning streak to eleven games.
2012 Schedule [edit]
| Opponent | Final Score | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond Raiders | W 40-26 | 1-0 |
| @Louisiana Swashbucklers | W 58-55 | 2-0 |
| Louisiana Swashbucklers | W 52-38 | 3-0 |
| @Knoxville Nighthawks | W 59-10 | 4-0 |
| Columbus Lions | W 57-40 | 5-0 |
| Alabama Hammers | W 62-53 | 6-0 |
| @Columbus Lions | L 56-58 | 6-1 |
| Louisiana Swashbucklers | W 54-47 | 7-1 |
| @Alabama Hammers | W 59-40 | 8-1 |
| Knoxville Nighthawks | W 74-64 | 9-1 |
| @Columbus Lions | W 57-54 | 10-1 |
| @Richmond Raiders | L 66-67 | 10-2 |
| Playoffs | Final Score |
|---|---|
| Semi-Final Columbus Lions | W 60-36 |
| PIFL Cup I Richmond Raiders | W 60-56 |
2013 Schedule [edit]
| Opponent | Final Score | Record |
|---|---|---|
| @Louisiana Swashbucklers | W 51-40 | (1-0) |
| Columbus Lions | W 40-37 | (2-0) |
| Alabama Hammers | W 64-51 | (3-0) |
| @Knoxville Nighthawks | L 31-28 | (3-1) |
| @Alabama Hammers | L 51-38 | (3-2) |
| @Richmond Raiders | ||
| Louisiana Swashbucklers | ||
| @Lehigh Valley Steelhawks | ||
| Richmond Raiders | ||
| @Columbus Lions | ||
| Lehigh Valley Steelhawks | ||
| Columbus Lions |
Current roster [edit]
| Albany Panthers roster | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
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Offensive Linemen
Defensive Linemen
Linebackers
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Defensive Backs
Kickers
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Injured Reserve
Exempt List
Practice Squad
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At Home [edit]
In their three years of existence, the Albany Panthers have lost just two home games, a first round playoff loss to louisiana in 2010 and a 60-56 loss to the Columbus Lions in the 2011 regular season. They have generated an average attendance of 5329 in those three seasons. Their current record at home including the playoffs is 23-2. Also of note, the Panthers have never lost in their all-black home uniforms since they were introduced in 2011. They are currently on an 13-game home winning streak, including the playoffs.
Columbus Lions Rivalry [edit]
Being only 90 miles apart, its only natural for the Panthers and Lions to dislike one another. In fact, the rivalry has become so heated that there has even been an altercation between a coach and a fan. The games between these two teams are almost always tight, down-to-the-wire affairs. The rivalry became even more heated in 2012, with two of the Lions biggest names defecting to Albany.[5] The Lions are currently the only team to ever beat Albany at home during the regular season, However, the Panthers currently lead the series 8-4.
The Panthers also have a band, The Albany Panthers Marching Show Band, which is made up of Albany-Area high school and college students. The band performs during pre-game, halftime, and post-game, as well during the game itself, primarily in response to key plays and scores.
Season-by-season [edit]
Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties
| Season | W | L | T | Finish | Playoff results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany Panthers (SIFL) | |||||
| 2010 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 1st League | Lost Semifinals (Louisiana) |
| 2011 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 2nd EC South | Won EC Round 1 (Erie) Won EC Championship (@Columbus) Won SIFL Championship (Louisiana) |
| Albany Panthers (PIFL) | |||||
| 2012 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 1st League | Won semi-final (Columbus)
Won PIFL Cup I (Richmond) |
| Totals | 33 | 9 | 0 | (including playoffs) | |
References [edit]
- ^ http://indoorfootballboard.proboards.com/index.cgi
- ^ http://www.mysouthwestga.com/sports/story.aspx?list=~%5Csports%5Clists%5Crecent&id=636608
- ^ http://www.albanyherald.com/news/2012/mar/17/2012-season-preview-new-arena-league-should-finall/?sports
- ^ http://www.albanyherald.com/news/2012/jul/01/back-back-panthers-win-pifl-title/?sports
- ^ http://www.albanyherald.com/news/2012/feb/11/panthers-steal-two-defensive-stars-rival-lions/?sports
External links [edit]
- Official Site
- Panthers' 2011 Stats
- http://www.proifl.com/statistics.html
- http://indoorfootballboard.proboards.com/index.cgi
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