With their inaugural regular season behind them it’s time for the first postseason game in Baltimore Brigade franchise history.
“Playoffs, win or go home, playing against the best team in the league,” said Brigade Head Coach Omarr Smith.
“You win one game and you’re in the Arena Bowl,” added Brigade quarterback Shane Boyd.
With a 4-10 record, the Brigade finished their first season in fourth place in the five team Arena Football League. That was good enough for the final playoff seed and semifinal matchup with the first place, defending champion Philadelphia Soul (13-1).
The Brigade lost to the Soul three time this year but also beat Philly a month ago to end the Soul’s 17-game win streak and hand them their only loss of the season.
“That was our last win,” said Smith. “To know that we are capable of beating them helps. But, recently we haven’t been playing good football. At this point the regular season is over with.”
“This sets up to be something that could be something amazing if we go into it with the right mindset and be able to knock off Goliath,” said Boyd.
Any upset this time may have to be done without quarterback Shane Carden. He’s been out since suffering a concussion on July 29. The starter since then has been the six-year AFL veteran Boyd.
“(I’m) just doing everything I can to uplift my guys, be a leader of the team,” said Boyd. “I just continue to prepare like I’ve always prepared throughout my professional career.”
“He knows the game. He’s been in the AFL for a number of years,” added Smith. “So he has the experience factor on his side. He has a really strong arm.”
The Brigade kickoff against the Soul in Philadelphia Saturday at 4:00 p.m. The winner will face the victor of the Cleveland vs. Tampa Bay game in the Arena Bowl for the AFL Championship.
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