​Firebirds quarterback Sam Castronova looks for a receiver during a game against the Michigan Arsenal on Friday, June 12, 2026, at the MVP Arena in Albany, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union) (Jim Franco/Times Union)
Between them, Albany Firebirds quarterbacks Sam Castronova and Tyler Kulka put up numbers this season that leave every other passing attack in Arena Football One in the dust.Castronova and Kulka each started six of Albany’s 12 regular-season games, combining for 3,199 yards and 76 touchdowns through the air against just seven combined interceptions. But, when it came to selecting his starting quarterback for the AF1 playoffs, Albany head coach Damon Ware knew he had to lean on experience.That means Castronova, who won championships in Albany with the defunct Empire in 2022 and the undefeated Firebirds in 2025, will start Saturday’s 4 p.m. semifinal game against the Minnesota Monsters at MVP Arena.”Sam’s at the top of his game, so Sam gets the slight nod,” Ware said. “He’s been there, done that. He’s just such a phenomenal player.”Castronova hasn’t played since a June 20 loss to the Nashville Kats, as he was away from the team due to personal reasons for the final two games of the regular season and Albany – which went 9-3 during the regular season – has also had three bye weeks during that time.The Buffalo native was also away from the team during the first four weeks of the season after signing with the United Football League’s Houston Gamblers, but returned at midseason and quickly reverted to the form that saw him earn AF1 Most Valuable Player honors in 2025.He’s back in the fold this week and Ware called the quarterback’s week of practice “phenomenal.””We’re really excited to have him back, and it’s playoff time,” Ware said. “You want your best people on the field, and I think we’ll have the best lineup that we’ve had in a long time this Saturday.”That there was even a question as to who would start in the playoffs is a testament to Kulka’s rapid development this season.The rookie, whose older brother Tyler Kulka quarterbacks the top-seeded Nashville Kats, won the backup job during training camp and was thrust into the starting role when Castronova left for the UFL days before the season opener. He responded by completing 62.9% of his passes for 1,501 yards and 38 touchdowns while going 5-1 during his six starts.”It’s just a real special year from our quarterbacks – and with the development we’ve been able to do with Josh,” Ware said, “we’re in a really good position for the future, as well.”As consistently excellent as Albany’s quarterback play has been this season, whether it’s been Castronova or Joshua Kulka under center, the team’s biggest issue has been the inconsistent availability of the rest of the roster.After a largely stable 2025, Ware has spent this season shuffling his roster on a weekly basis. There’s been a revolving door of players going in and out of Albany, especially in the secondary, the defensive line and the re