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Pete Costanza has spent plenty of time trying to figure out the Florida Firecats, but don’t even ask about the bracketology assignment on his mind this week.

The Albany coach can’t tell you what must happen for the Conquest to make the arenafootball2 playoffs, only that the team has to win out to have any hope of getting in.

The race for the American Conference’s six postseason spots is so tight — 10 contenders remain alive, with Florida the only lock — that most of the teams that can help the Conquest could also hurt them, leaving Albany uncertain which upsets to root for.

“There’s so many scenarios,” said Costanza, whose Conquest (5-8) play Saturday in Germain Arena. “Some people in our front office have tried to figure it out, but so many teams are still in the hunt — and many of them will play each other. We’ll just play well down the stretch and wish for the best.”

Tougher than the math, perhaps, is Albany’s route to a 3-0 finish. The schedule ends with Florida (10-3), Manchester (6-7) and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (8-5), meaning the Conquest will be an underdog to win out, much less sneak into the playoffs at 8-8.

There is a sense of urgency for the Firecats, too, though their situation involves much different implications. Florida needs two victories in its final three games to clinch home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs.

“Teams have a hard time coming in here,” said Florida rookie Clenton Crossley, who leads the league in rushing. “Home-field advantage is a big thing for us.”

THAT SOUNDS GOOD: Florida quarterback Chris Wallace threw seven touchdown passes Saturday night, but he might not have been the happiest man in Wachovia Arena.

Dave Parks Sr. got his first taste of arena football over the weekend — and, more significant, heard his son’s booming play-by-play voice for the first time.

Dave Parks Jr., who calls Firecats games on WGUF 98.9 FM, made sure his father had a ticket for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton game, which was a 320-mile trip for Dave Sr. from his home in Prosperity, Pa.

It was memorable.

Dave Jr. not only brought Firecats gear for Dad to wear — Joyce Parks, the radio man’s stepmother, got similiar treatment — he also supplied headphones so he could listen to the call.

“He was more engrossed in what I was saying,” Dave Jr. said, “instead of paying attention to the action on the field. But he liked arena football. He’s a big Steelers fan. So much of it’s so new to him, but he picked a great game to go to.”

Florida won, 56-51.

NOTES: Florida quarterback Chris Wallace, who set the franchise record for single-season touchdown passes in 2005, has done himself two better. He has 82 scoring tosses this year, within reach of 100 for the season. ... The Firecats, who boast af2’s No. 1 scoring offense, should provide fireworks Saturday against Albany, which has allowed more yards and touchdowns than anyone in the 23-team league. ... Green Bay’s 48-47 victory in Germain Arena was the third home loss for Kevin Bouis, who became the Florida coach prior to the 2005 season.

Fab Four

Florida’s big rookie last year was Kevin Bouis, who led the team to a 15-3 record in his first year as a head coach. This season, it’s a different story. The Firecats, who carry eight rookies, are getting contributions from several newcomers. The likes of Chris Wallace and Magic Benton still lead the way, but the youngsters, too, are making headlines. Especially these four.

-- Cory Bailey (defensive specialist, Florida) — On track to lead team in tackles as a rookie. Has 86.5 stops this season — five more than teammate Quincy Sorrell, af2’s alltime leading tackler — to go with three forced fumbles and three recoveries.

-- Levy Brown (defensive specialist, Florida A&M) — Ranks first on Firecats with six interceptions and is third on the team with 41 tackles. Was named af2’s Defensive Player of the Week after intercepting two passes in a June 24 blowout of Birmingham.

-- Clenton Crossley (fullback/linebacker, South Florida) — Leads the league with 278 rushing yards on 80 carries and has scored 14 touchdowns. Also has made mark on defense, with 33.5 tackles and three forced fumbles.

-- Brittney Tellis (wide receiver/defensive back, Florida Atlantic) — One of the league’s top all-around players. Leads Firecats with 1,424 all-purpose yards. Has scored 14 touchdowns as a receiver, one as a return man and three as a defender.