Dragons Come Up Short vs. Rush
April 2, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
The Dragons had an opportunity to scratch out a victory in the game's final minute, but could not convert on their final possession as they lost a 44-43 heartbreaker to the Chicago Rush at the Nassau Coliseum. It's the Dragons first loss at home this season as their overall record drops to 6-3, while Chicago improves to 5-4.
"We just didn't convert tonight when we needed to," said Dragons head coach Weylan Harding after the game. "There were plays to be made and they just weren't made. We have to take this loss and move on."
Rush WR/DB Charles Pauley ended all hopes of a Dragons comeback when he knocked down a fourth down pass from QB Aaron Garcia with 37 seconds left in the game. The offense supported at the end as Garcia misfired on four consecutive passes.
"It didn't seem like the offense was totally on the game page tonight," said Garcia. "We missed on a few passes, we barley missed, but we still missed. Of we were in that position nine out of ten times, we would win those nine times. Tonight was just one of the off nights."
Rush QB Raymond Philyaw was sharp, throwing 21-32 for 248 yards with four touchdowns. His go-to receiver was OS Henry Douglas as the two hooked up for a pair of touchdowns, including one in the fourth quarter that proved to be the difference maker. Douglas was named the Offensive Player of the Game.
The Dragons offensive prowess kept the team within striking distance the entire way. Aaron Garcia also had an impressive passing performance, going 21 for 36 for 228 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. He spread the ball around well, completing one touchdown to four different receivers.
WR/LB Chris Anthony turned in another solid performance for the Dragons, leading the team with seven receptions for 76 yards and a score. His two fourth down catches gave the Dragons an opportunity to stay close until the end. FB/LB Josh "Zeus" White was a nice compliment to the passing attack, rushing for touchdowns on his only two carries of the game. White was named the US Army Ironman of the Game.
FOURTH QUARTER TURNING POINTS:
Garcia looked for Anthony on a fourth down, connecting for a seven yard touchdown and the subsequent two point conversion to cut the lead to 44-43 with 3:10 left in the game. And then the Dragons finally got the defensive stop that had eluded them all game long as DS Chris Angel was able to swat away a Philyaw fourth down pass in the endzone to give the Dragons the ball back with 1:00 left on the clock. However, the four miss-fired passes on the Dragons final drive was turning point of the game.
THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS:
Down nine points entering the third frame, the Dragons converted on fourth and long on their first drive of the half with a big catch by Anthony. Two plays later White rushed for a touchdown that cut the lead to two points.
Chicago came back and converted on a fourth down of their own as Philyaw hooked up with Douglas to put the Rush up 37-28 entering the fourth quarter.
FIRST HALF RECAP:
Both offensives were clicking from the outset as the Dragons and Rush scored on their fist five offensive series combined. Garcia was sharp in the first quarter, throwing for two touchdowns with his only incompletion being a dropped pass in the endzone by Horacek.
The Rush got the first defensive stop of the game when they recovered DaShane Dennis' fumble on the five yard line at the 10 minute mark of the second quarter, stalling a promising Dragons drive. Chicago subsequently scored on the ensuing offensive possession to take a two touchdown lead.
Horacek's first touchdown reception of the game came with 3:15 left in the first half as it brought the Dragons back to within one score of a tie. The Dragons' defense buckled down and limited the Rush to a 25-yard field goal on their final drive of the half, however they trailed 30-21 going into the locker room.
NOTES: Prior to the game, Deer Park defeated Lynvet 26-21 in the Nassau County Youth Arena Football championship... The attendance at the Nassau Coliseum was 11,719, brining the season total up to 60,112 for the 2005 season...Former Bachelor and New York Giants QB Jesse Palmer teamed with Bob Wischusen in the Fox Sports New York TV booth.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 2, 2005
- Storm Get Back on Track - Tampa Bay Storm
- Dragons Come Up Short vs. Rush - New York Dragons
- Rush slays Dragons, 44-43 - Chicago Rush
- Nation's spotlight on Preds - Orlando Predators
- Wranglers edge VooDoo, 56-55 - New Orleans VooDoo
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