Angel haunts Dragons
by David Holusha
April 18, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons
The Dragons had set it up perfectly. Winning the toss, they opted to kickoff and go for the first crucial defensive stop of the game. Six plays later they had what they wanted, stopping The Colorado Crush on 4th and 3. However, the very first play from scrimmage saw still struggling-to-adjust rookie AFL QB Rohan Davey picked off by eventual defensive star of the game, Chris Angel. Never mind that Angel, a 4 year AFL veteran was released by the Dragons this season in training camp. Never mind that Angel once set a franchise record for the Dragons, recording 102 1/2 tackles during the 2005 season.
Because it would be the final play of the game that cemented both Davey's frustration and Angel's elation, as the Colorado DB picked off the NY QB one last time, to steal the game for The Crush. With under 30 seconds to play and the Dragons trailing by one point, Davey lofted a pass in the direction of WR Mike Horacek (7-21, 3TD's), but Angel stepped in front of it and ended all hope of a last second victory for the home town crowd.
"We make big plays during the game, and then we have some plays that we shouldn't make, or mental mistakes that end up putting us behind a little bit," said Horacek. "I still feel we're getting better as a team," continued the standout receiver. "I don't think that anyone who has played us, except for Dallas, can say that they've truly beaten us. Colorado did a good job, they're a solid team. But if we don't make the mistakes - I had a turnover on the first drive - if we cut that out we win by 14. Every game we've lost - Colorado, Grand Rapids, Chicago - if we minimize the mistakes, we win by 14-21 points."
Despite his three interceptions, Davey didn't have a particularly bad game, going 25-39 for 256 yards and four touchdowns. Colorado QB John Dutton has statistically as similar game, going 40-21 for 260 yards and five TD's. However, he was intercepted only once.
Despite the loss, it should be noted that WR/DB Mike Horacek became only the eighth player in AFL history to achieve 10,000 receiving yards. He accomplished this feat in 104 career AFL games. Horacek also holds the league record for most receiving yards in a game with 285 when he accomplished the feat with the Iowa Barnstormers on July 15, 2000 versus Albany. In Week Six versus Grand Rapids, Horacek recorded his 40th 100-yard reception game with 157 yards and moving him to the fifth all-time spot in the AFL. He also recorded five touchdowns moving him up to the four spot in active players career 5-TD games
With just over three minutes to go in the game, Davey fired diagonally across the field to Horacek for a 26 yard catch in the right side of the endzone that put the Dragons up 47-42. What followed next was a decision making process that would be crucial to the games outcome. In hindsight, there are some who believe The Dragons should have gone for the two-point conversion. This would prevent Colorado from winning the game with a touchdown and single PAT. However, NY chose to kick for the 1 and the lead was 6 points.
"It made no sense at that time to go for the two," said Harding. "The thought was entertained, but essentially all you have is if they score the next touchdown and kick the extra point, then they tie the game."
"The way our defense was playing coming into that second half, I felt we really had opportunities for a stop. However, one crucial play I can point to in that fourth quarter is that third and forever and then we get that personal foul for roughing the quarterback," said Harding. "That gave them new life for sure."
Both New York and Colorado were victimized by a mediocre kicking game. Jason Ball (Crush) and Carter Warley (Dragons) missed easy PAT's and field goal attempts. However, Colorado's Ball also was successful on two field goals, while Warley was unsuccessful in both of his attempts.
Despite the ultimately disappointing results for the hometown fans, one thing that always keeps the crowd in the game are the New York Dragons FireDancers. Check out their athletic dance routines and fan-favorite t-shirt events at these links:
The dance team of Arena Football's New York Dragons do their post-touchdown celebration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzZaTW6s9Rs
The dance team of Arena Football's New York Dragons do their endzone routine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1_Cs4di9hw
The dance team of Arena Football's New York Dragons. The other half of the team
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK5X6UyW4NY
The dance team of Arena Football's New York Dragons. The T-shirt shooting event!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2F8PA49xEc
Dragons Notes: Not only is Chris Anthony an outstanding athlete, but citizen as well. This Ironman kept busy this past offseason by starting his own non-profit organization called SpineLife. SpineLife assists athlete's who suffer sports related spinal cord injuries and head traumas. Anthony was first inspired after witnessing the tragic death of Al Lucas (Los Angeles Avengers) on the field during the Dragons game in Los Angeles in the 2005 season. Visit www.StandWithTravis.com to learn more about SpineLife's latest ventures.
The Dragons have 9 players on their active roster that have played for the Dragons in previous seasons. Dragons from the 2006 season who return are: WR/LB Chris Anthony, OL/DL Delbert Cowsette, DB Will Holder, WR/LB Mike Horacek, OL/DL Joe Laudano, FB/LB Jeremiah Pharms, WR Kevin Swayne and OL/DL Paul White. DB Billy Parker also returns after leaving the Dragons following the 2005 season. QB Aaron Garcia is currently on Injured Reserve.
OL/DL Delbert Cowsette was named to the All-Rookie Team following the 2006 season and remains on the Dragons 2007 active roster.
On Wednesday 4/16/07 the Dragons released DB Ukee Dozier and DL Josh Shaw.
New York hits the road in Week Eight when they head to Orlando to face the Predators in a Friday night Match-up at 7:30pm. This will be the first of two meetings this season between New York and Orlando with the second match-up in Week Fourteen at the Nassau Coliseum. This game will mark the 16th all time meeting between the two franchises and Orlando leads the series 10-5. The Dragons franchise has posted a regular season record of 4-6 against Orlando and a 1-5 record since moving to Long Island.
The Dragons return home to the Nassau Coliseum when the take on the Arizona Rattlers Saturday, April 28 at 7:00pm. The Dragons are 5-6 all-time against the Rattlers.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 18, 2007
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- Philadelphia Soul game notes - Philadelphia Soul
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- Angel haunts Dragons - OSC Original by David Holusha
- San Jose SaberCats game notes - San Jose SaberCats
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
