Dragons End Dismal Season with 31-Point Loss
by David Holusha
Published on June 24, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons
The New York Dragons ended a thoroughly dismal season with a 4 game losing streak, punctuated by a complete dismantling at home by The Columbus Destroyers 74-43. The loss officially eliminated New York from the playoffs, and the Columbus win clinched the final playoff spot for them with a record of 7-9.
"You never really want it to be over. The finality of the moment kind of hits you," said Dragons coach Weylan Harding.
"Every season is unique," continued Harding "It's tough to see it end after everything this team has had to go through this season to get to this point. The moment hits you, now that it's over. I told the guys this experience is a microcosm of life - the highs and lows. One thing that should remain constant through life is that you're fighting. If you get knocked down, you get back up. If moral victories counted for something, maybe our record would be different."
Each team scored touchdowns on its first two possessions and the score was tied at 14 with 4:59 left in the first quarter. But the Dragons were stopped on downs on each of their next two drives and Columbus continued to score with ease, going up 44-23 at the half. The second half was more of the same as Columbus scored TDs on its first three possessions, helped in part by great field position after recovering two onside kicks. "We didn't stop them. Early on, there were miscommunications in the secondary that gave them easy scores," Harding said. "No excuses, we just didn't have it today."
The star of the game was QB Matt Nagy, who was a machine, running the Destroyers offense. Nagy went 25 of 33 for 256 yards, seven touchdowns and zero interceptions. He spread out the offense, collaborating with four different players for touchdown receptions. WR Marcus Knight led the way with three, WR Damien Groce caught two, while WR Josh Bush and FB Harold Wells each caught one. Bush ran for two touchdowns and Wells added one on the ground as well.
Both teams traded touchdowns to start the game, including a 13-yard touchdown to Marcus Knight and a 29-yard bomb to Damien Groce. Following a turnover on downs by the Dragons (5-11), Nagy found Groce for an 11-yard touchdown. At the end of the first quarter the Destroyers led by seven points, 21-14.
The Dragons offense couldn't keep pace with the Columbus offense, putting up only six touchdowns - five in the air and one via a Davey rush. Davey went 28 of 46 for 307 yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions. Horacek led the Dragons receiving core with four touchdowns, while WR/LB Chris Anthony and Kevin Swayne each caught over 100 yards.
The Dragons finish the season 5-11, and out of the playoffs for the first time since Harding took over as head coach at the start of the 2005 season.
"I'm a sore loser and this will fuel us all through the offseason," Harding said. "We'll be back."
This marks the Destroyers first playoff since the team moved to Columbus from Buffalo. The last playoff appearance was a Buffalo Destroyers team that qualified with a 6-8 record in 2002.
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