After a back and forth regulation, The Albany Empire found themselves down 56-49 with time winding down in overtime.

However, Tommy Grady found Joe Hills for a touchdown with less than three minutes to play in overtime, then converted a 2-point conversion to pick up a wild 57-56 win over the Washington Valor Saturday night in the first round of the AFL playoffs. Grady finished the game with seven touchdown passes.

The Empire will return to the Time Union Center next weekend as they continue their two-game series with Washington. The team with the highest scoring mark between the two games will move on to the ArenaBowl.