Dragons back in first!
April 30, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
The Dragons' playoff hopes received a major boost on Friday night as they defeated division rival Dallas Desperados 65-57 at the American Airlines Center. With the victory, the Dragons moved a half-game ahead of Dallas in the standings as their record improves to 8-5, while Dallas drops to 7-5-1. In the first quarter of the game, QB Aaron Garcia threw his 700th career touchdown pass in the first quarter on a 37-yard toss to OS Kevin Swayne. But it was big plays on both sides of the ball in the final quarter that were the difference in what is the biggest win of the season for the Dragons.
"Big plays at big times," said Garcia after the game. "Our defense was huge, especially at the end. Everyone contributed in this win, which is the way we knew it would have to be against a very good football team like Dallas."
FB/LB Josh "Zeus" White continued his stellar play for the Dragons by rushing for scores of 22 and 11 yards, respectively. He finished the game with 44 rushing yards on just four carries, bumping his season total to (add today's game to 178). Garcia finished the game 18-for-31 for 206 yards and five touchdowns.
Special teams also played a huge role for the Dragons. In the second quarter, WR/DBs DaShane Dennis and Will Holder each returned a kickoff for a score.
Dennis had one of his best games as a Dragon against Dallas. In addition to his kickoff return, he also hauled in two touchdown receptions in the second half. His first occurred in the third quarter when Garcia's toss sailed too high and long for the intended receiver, WR/LB Chris Anthony. The ball hit off the rebound net iron and bounced into the hands of a leaping Dennis for the score in the third quarter. His second came on 19-yard pass on the second play of the fourth quarter. On Dallas' final possesion of the game, down eight points in the final seconds, Dennis' blanket coverage on a one-on-one on fourth down ended the game.
Dennis, Anthony, Holder and Mike Horacek had four recptions each. Kevin Swayne had only one, but it was for a 37-yard touchdown.
In the first quarter, rookie DS Billy Parker increased his interception total to seven. He entered the game tied for the league-lead with six.
It was such an important win, Garcia's amazing milestone of throwing his 700th touchdown became a sidebar to the game. The true team player wouldn't have it any other way. "We came here for a win, not personal accomplishments," said Garcia. "I'm happy I got to 700 touchdowns -- each one of those I dedicate to my children back home -- but it wouldn't mean as much if we hadn't come up with the win."
Next week, the Dragons return home to the Nassau Coliseum to take on the Columbus Destroyers. Great seats are still available and interested fans should call 1-866-AFL-TIXX to speak with a Dragons ticket representative.
THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS:
The Dragons took control of the third quarter by outscoring Dallas 14-10. White had his second touchdown run and Dennis added his first touchdown reception of the game. Garcia was forced to leave the game briefly in the quarter and backup QB Chris Boden saw his first offensive snap of the season. He appeared for one play, which was White's rushing score. Desperados' kicker Carlos Martinez booted a 40-yard field goal as the Dragons took a 48-43 lead into the fourth quarter.
FIRST HALF RECAP:
The first half was filled with back-and-forth action that saw the Dragons make three defensive stops. White ran the first of his two touchdowns in during the opening quarter. However, the first quarter ended with Dallas up 20-14 with two touchdown receptions by WR/LB Bobby Sippio.
The Desperados opened a 27-14 lead in the beginning of the second quarter off a 40-yard touchdown reception by WR/DB Will Pettis. The Dragons however climbed back into the game with the two kickoffs returned for touchdowns. Holder also added a nine-yard touchdown reception in the second frame. After the first half, the game was knotted up at 34-34.
NOTES: Dragons' head coach Weylan Harding, a Houston, TX native, had over 40 family members and friends at the game. OL/DL Steve Scifres hosted his immediate family along with 13 other close friends...The game was broadcasted on FSN Southwest and the MSG Network with former New York Giants linebacker Gary Reasons as the analyst...Dragons' radio play-by-player announcer Peter Schwartz pre-taped congratulatory messages for Garcia from former Dragons OS Mike Furrey, Philadelphia Soul QB Tony Graziani and San Jose SaberCats QB Mark Grieb...With Dallas wearing their custom home white jerseys, the Dragons wore their home black for tonight's contest...In the third quarter, Desperados OL/DL Rickie Simpkins was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 30, 2005
- Wranglers get Destroyers in the end, 58-55 - Austin Wranglers
- Soul feast on Predators, 64-60 - Philadelphia Soul
- Destroyers comeback bid foiled by last second field goal - Columbus Destroyers
- Storm Back in Playoffs With Win - Tampa Bay Storm
- Nashville Defeats SaberCats, 57-55 - San Jose SaberCats
- Kats Stun San Jose, 57-55 - Nashville Kats
- Kats Stun San Jose, 57-55 - Nashville Kats
- Garcia hits 700 - All-Arena QB Connects on 700th TD - New York Dragons
- Dragons back in first! - New York Dragons
- New York's Aaron Garcia reaches pro football milestone - AFL I
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