HUNTSVILLE, AL --
The stretch run of the Albany Panthers season opened Saturday on the road in Alabama.

With four games remaining in the regular season, the Panthers held the number one playoff seed with Richmond only one game back. The Raiders will stay one game behind Albany after Saturday’s games.

The Panthers shrugged off Alabama in the fourth quarter to defeat the Hammers 59-40 Saturday night. The Hammers got within 39-33 at the end of the third quarter, but Albany outscores the home team 20-7 in the final quarter.

Just like in the first game between the two squads, there was a lot of extracurricular talk during this game. After the final buzzer, the teams had to be separated on the field.

With the win, Albany (8-1) holds first place with three games left in the regular season. The number one seed will host every playoff game. After an upcoming bye week, the Panthers host the Knoxville Nighthawks at the Albany Civic Center.