Legacies, memories on the line in Arena Bowl

Albany

All week the Albany Empire have tried to convince themselves that it's just another game.

ArenaBowl XXXII is far from that. The Arena Football League's championship game, matching the Empire against the Philadelphia Soul, is where legacies can be made and lifelong memories fostered.

Times Union Center should be rocking for the 8:07 p.m. kickoff, which will be seen by a national television audience on ESPN2.

"It's a regular game," Empire veteran defensive lineman Joe Sykes said, "but it's the big stage. We've got to take advantage of it and bring home another banner."

There hasn't been an Arena banner raised in the building since the Albany Firebirds won the Arena Bowl in 1999. The Empire, in only their second season, would like to hang their own pennant in the rafters.

In their way are the Soul, who have won two of the past three Arena Bowls and have been the measuring stick in the AFL.

One team has the accolades, the other postseason experience.

"If we have any advantage going into the game, it's that," said Philadelphia coach Clint Dolezel, who still has eight players from his two Arena Bowl champions. "We have experience, been there, done that with a lot of the guys."

The Empire have posted the best record in both their seasons in the league. It didn't pan out last year, when an 8-4 team were stunned in the playoff semifinals by a 2-10 Washingon Valor squad.

At 10-2, Albany finished three full games ahead of the pack in this regular season. The Empire have the league MVP in quarterback Tommy Grady and offensive player of the year in wide receiver Malachi Jones.

"We've done a good job of keeping perspective," Empire coach Rob Keefe said. "Yes, we've had the best record in this league, yes, we're in the Arena Bowl, but we don't have anything right now."

The...