Byline: MARK SINGELAIS Staff Writer
ALBANY - Albany Conquest coach Richard Davis said winning on the road in arenafootball2 is 'as tough of an endeavor as any in pro sports.'
Now the Conquest will try to do it for the second week in a row in tonight's game against the Macon (Ga.) Knights.
Albany (1-3) finally got its first victory last Saturday, beating the South Georgia Wildcats.
Macon (2-3) has lost its past two. Davis said being successful on the road in af2 is difficult because of the long bus trips, the limited travel budgets and the hostile arenas where fans are practically on top of the players.
The positive side, according to Davis, is the Conquest feels at home in Georgia after remaining there this week. Albany opted to stay in Macon all week rather than travel back and forth from Albany.
Davis said it was good to get away from the controversy he caused when he said Conquest fans 'act like an idiot' following a loss April 23. Davis later apologized for the comment.
'Obviously, we started 0-3 and I stuck my foot in my mouth, and the fans were quick to jump on me,' Davis said. 'Being away from Albany has been good for us because we've kind of bonded as a team.'
Not everyone, though.
Davis said he cut defensive specialist Drakus Langford and wide receiver/linebacker Mikal Akbar this week.
Davis said Langford, an Atlanta native, went home after the win over South Georgia and then missed Monday's practice. When Langford called to say he'd be late for Tuesday's practice, Davis decided to cut him.
'I love the kid, but he's very immature,' Davis said.
Davis said he cut Akbar because he didn't like the player's attitude after he was replaced as a starter by offensive specialist Jeremiah Pope, who caught two touchdown passes against South Georgia.
'Instead of fighting through (his demotion), he wanted to cry about it,' Davis said.
The Conquest signed lineman Chris Harris from Temple, who won't play tonight.
