Dragons dominate Destroyers
by David Holusha
April 17, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons
For the second week in a row at home, the New York Dragons put on a blistering display of aerial firepower and smash-mouth defense, cruising to a 62-44 victory over the Columbus Destroyers.
Quarterback Aaron Garica, retuning to the form that had him dubbed the best QB in the league for the last few years was the offensive player of the game. AG completed 27 of 37 attempts for nearly 300 total yards and eight touchdowns. He was not intercepted once.
"The main thing as far as me personally is that I've been able to stay healthy and keep playing," said Garcia. "All that credit goes to the offensive line and coach (Jerome) Brown. We had to fix some things and we did that the last couple of weeks. As long as we keep getting better each week - even a little bit - we're going to be real hard to deal with towards the end of the season. "
The Destroyers contributed to their own downfall with frequent undisciplined play. They were flagged for 14 penalties totaling 60 yards. Columbus also allowed 60-plus points for the first time in 22 consecutive contests.
"I'm happy with the overall effort," said head coach Weylan Harding. "I still have high expectations for this group. In the second half we're sill having trouble executing and finishing in the crucial moments of the game. Somehow, someway I've got to get them over that hump," added the coach.
WR Kevin Swayne returned to the team after having sat out his second game the week prior, due to some knee inflammation. He was impressive in his return, catching 6 passes for 61 yards and 3 TD's. "It was good to have him back," said Coach Harding. "Its makes a strong group, stronger."
For his part, WR Chris Anthony was equally impressive, pulling down 9 passes for nearly 100 yards and 3 TD's of his own. "We just have to execute," said Anthony. "We believe that if we go out and execute the way we're supposed to on every play, things are going to work out for us. So it just comes down to knowing our assignments and doing our jobs."
Destroyers quarterback Matt Nagy completed 18-of-36 passes for 273 yards and five touchdowns. Nagy felt the pressure all afternoon as the Dragons defensive front were able to sack him twice totaling a loss of eight yards and New York defensive back Billy Parker intercepting him late in the fourth quarter putting a halt to a Destroyers' scoring drive.
Midway through the second quarter with the score 14-3 in favor of the Dragons, Rasheed Marshall returned his second kickoff for touchdown this season. The 57-yard effort ties a Destroyers franchise record (Sedrick Robinson in 2004 and former Dragon Damien Groce in 2005). "We knew he was a guy we had to look out for," said Harding. "He made us pay for it. A couple of times he had some excellent returns."
Prior to that kickoff return against by Marshall, the Dragons labored somewhat to eventually score a TD from deep in the red zone. "Offensively, when were on the 1 yard line or 1 inch line, we've got to develop a sense of toughness down there" added coach Harding. "As far as being able to impose our will - pushing that defensive line in there and getting in."
With :43 remaining in the first half, Nagy connected with Lee on a 15-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to four points, 21-17. After a failed Destroyers onside kickoff attempt, the Dragons took a 28-17 lead to halftime after Garcia threw his fourth touchdown pass of the half to Kevin Swayne from eight yards.
Behind two Garcia touchdown passes to Chris Anthony and Jason Willis, the Dragons took a 42-24 lead. Willis led all receivers with 10 receptions for 131 yards and added two touchdowns. The Destroyers lone scored their lone touchdown of the third stanza as Nagy found Lee for a one-handed 10-yard touchdown catch with 9:47 remaining.
The teams traded three touchdowns each in the final quarter, as Destroyers' wide receivers Lee, Calvin Russell and Rasheed Marshall all tallied touchdowns from 30-plus yards.
"Our offense is a little bit different than any other in the league," added Garcia. "We're going to try to throw the ball down the field probably more than most. There's more timing involved, and more freedom. If you look at our track record, we always struggle a little bit at the beginning of the year, until we get that timing down. Once we do get it down, then it makes it a little harder for other teams to deal with. "
The Dragons next play on Friday night in Tampa bay, and return home on Saturday April 26.
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