Desperados Drop Third Consecutive Game, Fall to Dragons
May 1, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release
The Dallas Desperados (6-6) lost their third consecutive game â and fifth in the last six games - falling to the New York Dragons (7-5) 20-44 in front of 9,324 fans at American Airlines Center. Dallas' 20 points is the lowest point total in Desperados history.
New York wasted no time getting on the board as Aaron Garcia found Will Holder open in the end zone on the second play of the game for a 24-yard touchdown play. The Desperados answered when Glen Gauntt orchestrated a seven-play, 48-yard drive capped by a 28-yard touchdown catch and run by Bobby Sippio to put the Desperados within one 6-7 (missed PAT). The Desperados came out strong and forced a 62-yard Gary Kral field goal that fell short. Will Pettis returned the miss 25 yards to Dallas' 21-yard line. Gauntt quickly found Sippio on a fade for a 10-yard touchdown and a 13-7 Desperados lead.
The Dragons regained the lead to start the second quarter after Garcia found Cosmo DeMatteo with a two-yard touchdown pass. Dallas was forced into a 41-yard Carlos Martinez field goal that was wide right. New York took over at their own 10-yard line and wasted little time in increasing their lead to 21-13 following a Garcia-to-Richmond Flowers 19-yard touchdown play. Gauntt's pass intended for Andrew Layton in the end zone was intercepted by Corey Johnson , and the Dragons took the momentum into halftime when Garcia found Flowers from three yards out to increase their lead to 28-13. Dallas had an opportunity to close their deficit, but Martinez's 43-yard field goal attempt as the clock expired was wide right.
Dallas opened the second half with Walter Church stepping in at quarterback for Gauntt, who suffered a right elbow contusion at the end of the first half. Dallas was held on fourth down, giving New York the ball at the Dallas 19-yard line. The Desperado's regained possession when Sippio intercepted a Garcia pass. New York answered back after Johnson picked off Church's pass intended for Jason Shelley and returned it to midfield. Derek Stingley ended the Dragon's touchdown hopes, diving to intercept a pass five yards deep in the end zone. Ja'Mar Toombs then gave Dallas their first points of the second half after pushing his way in from one yard out narrowing their deficit to 20-28 to finish out the third quarter.
The Dragons opened the fourth quarter with a Garcia-to-Chuck Wesley touchdown pass from eight yards out for a 34-20 lead (missed PAT). Dallas' next drive stalled after Johnson took the ball out of Sippio's hands in the end zone for his second theft of the game. Jermaine Jones then returned the favor by picking off Garcia's pass in the end zone. New York regained possession at the Dallas seven-yard line when Church's pass was intercepted by Donvetis Frankiln. New York was forced into a Kral 22-yard field goal, increasing their lead to 37-20. Gauntt returned to the field and led Dallas to the New York eight-yard line, where the Desperados were forced to turn over the ball on downs. New York took over at their own seven-yard line and added to their advantage when Josh White rumbled in from three yards out to close out the scoring at 44-20.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 1, 2004
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