Dragons rock the Soul

Published on April 24, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release


Billy Parker's interception with two and a half minutes remaining in the fourth quarter sealed the Dragons' 51-37 victory over the Philadelphia Soul. QB Aaron Garcia closed in on the 700 touchdown plateau, but finished one short with a total 699. He completed 16 of 34 passes for 222 yards and five scores. The Dragons defense shined with five defensive stops.

"We got the defense going today," said Dragons head coach Weylan Harding. "But it's not just an offensive thing or a defensive thing. It's an us thing and that's what it was today. We'll enjoy this one tonight."

The contest saw five lead changes and was tied after three quarters. A strong fourth quarter performance by QB Aaron Garcia propelled the Dragons to a victory that allowed them to keep pace with the Dallas Desperados for the Eastern Division lead. Dallas currently leads by a half game with the two squads meeting next weekend. With the win the Dragons swept the season series from Philadelphia.

Garcia was given Offense Player of the Game honors, throwing for three touchdowns in the fourth quarter. He completed at least one touchdown pass to three different receivers, which included OS Kevin Swayne, OS Mike Horacek, WR/LB Chris Anthony. WR/DB Will Holder recorded a game-high two touchdowns.

Anthony had a strong game on both sides of the ball to give him the US Army Ironman of the Game honor. His third quarter interception off Soul QB Tony Graziani gave the Dragons a crucial third quarter defensive stop.

The marked the return of Kevin Swayne who missed the previous six games with a shoulder injury. He finished tied for the team-lead in receptions with five, while also adding a touchdown catch in the first half.

FOURTH QUARTER TURNING POINTS:

Parker's interception with 2:38 left stalled a promising Philadelphia drive and ensured the Dragons the victory. The turnover was the second the defense forced in the game off Tony Graziani.

THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS:

Philadelphia took the lead early in the quarter when WR/LB Sean Scott returned an interception all the way for a touchdown. WR/LB Chris Anthony had a solid quarter on both sides of the ball, first intercepting a pass at the Dragons' own three yard line and later catching a 23 yard touchdown pass from Garcia that knotted up the score heading into the fourth quarter.

FIRST HALF RECAP:

Soul DS Calvin Coleman corralled an errant Garcia pass off the wall for an interception midway through the first quarter. One play later Graziani connected with OS Tyronne Jones for a seven yard touchdown that put Philadelphia up 14-3.

But the Dragons didn't back down as Swayne made an immediate impact after returning to the lineup, catching the only touchdown pass Garcia threw in the first half. The score put the Dragons back within a touchdown after they trailed by as many as thirteen.

The Dragons defense came up with a big goal line stand early in the second quarter. FB/LB Josh "Zeus" White had two consecutive tackles at the one yard line that forced the Soul to settle for a field goal. White later contributed on offense with a rushing touchdown that tied the game at 17.

NOTES: Kevin Swayne's 66 receiving yards pushed him over the career 5,000 yard plateau...Holder's touchdown catch at the end of the game gave him 50 for his career...The attendance at the Nassau Coliseum was 11,056 bringing the season total to 71,168...New York Jets Center Kevin Mawae was in attendance as a guest of Kevin Swayne.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 24, 2005


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