Dallas Topples Dragons in Season Opener
March 4, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
The New York Dragons did not get out to the start they were looking for to open the season as the Dallas Desperados defeated them 60-7 Sunday afternoon at the Nassau Coliseum.
Dallas QB Clint Dolezel threw for 249 yards, including seven touchdowns, as the Desperados knocked off the Dragons for the third consecutive time in two seasons. Former Dragons QB Nick Browder converted one touchdown pass for the Desperados in the fourth quarter.
"This will never happen again," said Dragons head coach Weylan Harding. "I'm confident about that. It was a hard lesson and we learned early. We're going to have to fight. Any loss is frustrating, but I'm more than confident that the next time we face them we will be a different group. We're going to work harder, make a couple of changes and correct the mistakes."
The Desperados spread out the offense as four different Dallas receivers earned touchdowns, including WR Marcus Nash, WR Will Pettis and WR Andrae Thurman, who each caught at least two. Mike Horacek caught the lone touchdown pass for the Dragons on a throw from QB Rohan Davey, who replaced Leon Murray to start the second half.
"Dallas came out ready to play," said Horacek. "A large part of out team is new and it takes some time to gel. A lot of the guys haven't played arena football before. We found out tonight we weren't jelling like we needed to be."
Nash led the way for Dallas with 127 yards and two touchdowns. The Dallas offense compiled 301 passing yards and eight touchdowns. FB Josh White scored the lone rushing touchdown of the game for Dallas and tallied 31 yards on the ground.
Murray went 8 for 18 with 64 yards and one interception in two quarters. Davey was 12 for 21 with 131 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Horacek was the leading receiver for the Dragons, totaling 67 yards, including the 45-yard touchdown.
Dallas took a 13-0 lead after the first quarter behind a Pettis touchdown reception and White's rushing touchdown.
At halftime, Dallas grabbed a 33-0 lead with three more touchdown passes. Dolezel threw for another three touchdown receptions in the second half, while Browder added the last one.
Rohan Davey got the Dragons on the board with a 45-yard touchdown pass to Mike Horacek to make it 53-7 with Carter Warley converting the extra point. Maurice Brown put on a huge hit to give Horacek a free lane.
The Dragons have their bye next week and return to action on March 18th in Chicago against the Crush.
"It's a good and bad thing to have off next week," said Harding. "You get to re-group, go back and go over every point of your offense and defense. We can get those things cleaned up. The bad thing is that we don't get to play for another two weeks and you don't get to play right away. The players and coaches will be stewing."
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 4, 2007
- Gladiators Unable to Overcome Early Deficit - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Partlow gets first victiry in Wranglers 57-36 win - Austin Wranglers
- Rampage Defeat Crush in Season Opener, 44-42 - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Brigade roughs up defending champs to open second season - Kansas City Brigade
- Rush falls to Kansas City in Opener 54-41 - Chicago Rush
- Dallas Topples Dragons in Season Opener - New York Dragons
- Rattlers Show Fight, Fall To Force 69-65 - Arizona Rattlers
- Game-winning field goal lifts Blaze over VooDoo, 63-61 - Utah Blaze
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
