The Albany Firebirds concluded their regular season with a 57‑54 defeat to the Nashville Kats, a game that swung back and forth in the second half.
The Firebirds erased a 19‑point hole, tying the contest multiple times, but a decisive strike by the Kats in the final minutes handed Nashville the victory.
The loss dropped Albany to the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Arena Football One playoffs, while the Kats clinched the top seed, both teams earning a two‑week bye before their semifinal matchups.
Playoff Implications
Coach Damon Ware said he was pleased with the No. 2 seed, noting the team’s injury woes and the advantage of the extra rest period before the postseason.
At quarterback, Joshua Kulka made his first start in place of the injured Sam Castronova, completing 28 of 41 passes for 311 yards, six touchdowns and an interception.
Across the field, his brother Tyler Kulka led the Kats, throwing for 22 of 32 completions, 232 yards, six scores and one pick.
Special teams proved pivotal; Nashville’s kicker delivered a flawless performance, whereas Albany’s unit struggled to convert key opportunities.
The Firebirds will host a semifinal the weekend of August 1‑2, while the Kats await their own semifinal on the same dates after their bye week.
The matchup also featured a family storyline, with the Kulka brothers facing each other on opposite sides of the ball, each delivering standout performances.
With the playoffs looming, both coaches will look to fine‑tune strategies during the extended break, aiming to capitalize on the rest and return stronger for the championship chase.