Dragons Stopped in Orlando
May 23, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
The Dragons lost ground in the playoff race with a 65-41 loss to the Orlando Predators on Sunday afternoon. Aaron Garcia felt the pressure all day in the Jungle and could not find a rhythm as he was hit several times and only found the endzone on five occasions. Even with the loss this week, the Dragons were crowned the Eastern Division Champions.
Orlando came out of the gates on top of their game in the first quarter by opening up a 14-0 lead. After stopping the Dragons at their own 13-yard line on four downs, Predators' QB Joe Hamilton connected with WR Cory Fleming on a 10-yard pass to put his team up 7-0. Orlando's defense didn't give in as they stopped the Dragons offense again on four downs, this time with New York deep in their own territory. Hamilton then completed his seventh straight pass to start the game and found Fleming in the endzone to open up a two-touchdown lead as the first quarter came to a close.
The Dragons finally got on the scoreboard on their first drive of the second quarter as OS Will Holder out-jumped DS Kenny McEntyre in the endzone and came down with the ball for the touchdown. Leading by seven points, the Predators didn't blink as Hamilton ran the ball in for score from a yard out to re-take a 14-point edge. The game took a giant turn in Orlando's favor on the Dragons next drive as LB Idris Price ran back an interception for a touchdown. Garcia felt pressure from the Predator's defensive line and did not throw a clean pass when he was hit. Orlando opened up a 28-7 lead with the play.
Garcia put the Dragons back on the scoreboard with a six-yard scramble into the endzone on a fourth down to cut the Predators' lead to 28-14. On Orlando's ensuing possession under one-minute timing rules, Hamilton threw his third touchdown of the game on the first play of the drive. Hamilton connected with OS Anthony Bright on a 45-yard strike for the score. Garcia then matched Hamilton's quick strike with one of his own as found WR Jerald Brown on a 26-yard pass for a touchdown. With only two seconds remaining in the half, kicker Jay Taylor hit a 49-yard field goal increase Orlando's lead to 38-21 heading into halftime.
The second half started off on a good note for the Dragons. After Orlando successfully converted a fourth down, Brown, who was now playing DB, came up with a diving interception. Garcia then connected with WR Richmond Flowers to cut Orlando's lead to 10 points. It looked like the Dragons caught a break on the ensuing kickoff when kicker Gary Kral booted the football off the rebound net iron. However, with the pigskin bouncing on the ground, the Dragons were unable to recovery it. Instead, Fleming found the ball and returned it 49-yards for a touchdown. The game continued to swing back into Orlando's favor as Garcia was sacked on a fourth down to give the Predators back possession. Fleming brought in a short pass for his fourth touchdown of the day as Orlando opened up a 52-28 lead. Late in the third quarter, Garcia threw his second interception, which led to another score by Orlando. After three quarters of ball, the Dragons were tailing by 31 points, 59-28.
Both teams came out with a defensive stop in the beginning of the fourth quarter. Garcia ran in his second score of the day, this time from 10-yards out. With Orlando's quarterback in the game for the final quarter, the Dragons forced Orlando to a second turnover on downs on their next possession. QB Chris Boden entered the game for the Dragons in the waning moments of the contest. Boden ran the ball in for a score for his first touchdown of the season. Orlando added another score as the game wound down.
Next Week the Dragons complete their 2004 regular season schedule at home with a matchup against division rival and Bon Jovi-owned Philadelphia Soul. The game will have significant playoff implications for the Dragons.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 23, 2004
- Avengers Fend off the Gladiators - OSC Original by Tim Peterson
- Dragons Stopped in Orlando - New York Dragons
- Rush clinches Central Division title with 53-37 win - Chicago Rush
- Crush Stun Fury 45-42 - Detroit Fury
- Firebirds Can't Keep up with Rush, fall 53-37 - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Storm win fifth straight, pull into tie for eighth playoff seed - Tampa Bay Storm
- Soul fall to SaberCats, 48-36 - Philadelphia Soul
- Gladiators fall short against Avengers, 54-51 - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Destroyers outlast Desperados in Texas shootout - Columbus Destroyers
- SaberCats Win Over Soul, 48-36 - San Jose SaberCats
- Desperados Drop Sixth Consecutive Game - Dallas Desperados
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