Dragons Torch Cobras, 57-41, in Division Battle
April 4, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Carolina Cobras News Release
CHARLOTTE â The New York Dragons secured an important Eastern Division victory Sunday afternoon as they defeated the Carolina Cobras 57-41 in front of 7,391 at the Charlotte Coliseum. The Cobras held the Dragons to 129 yards of total offense, but were unable to withstand a strong second-half push by New York, who secured its fourth consecutive victory.
The contest was tied 17-17 after two quarters of play, but New York came out swiftly in the second half, scoring 21 straight points in the third frame en route to a 40-24 second half advantage. Carolina outgained the Dragons 237-129 in the contest, but was undone by a New York offense that scored on all but one possession.
The game marked the first meeting for Cobras head coach John Gregory against his former team. Gregory spent nine seasons at the helm for the New York/Iowa franchise prior to joining Carolina this season. Eight players on the Cobras roster also spent time with New York over the past three seasons.
Carolina (3-5) was led by Matt Nagy, who completed 23-of-40 passes for 237 yards and five scores, while OS Todd Doxzon paced the Cobras receivers with eight receptions for 94 yards and a pair of touchdowns. WR/LB Jack Walker Jr. added five catches for 58 yards and two scores.
New York (5-3) was victorious despite a lackluster performance from QB Aaron Garcia who was limited to 133 yards and three touchdowns on 12-of-26 passing. WR/DB Lincoln DuPree, who was named the Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game, led the Dragons with a 55-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and two receptions for 31 yards and a score. WR/LB Cosmo DeMatteo led the Dragons offense with three catches for 46 yards.
The Cobras were able to limit the high-power New York offense to only 41 yards of total offense in the first half, but still entered the half tied at 17-17 due to untimely penalties and a kickoff return for a touchdown by the Dragons. Nagy completed 12-of-19 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown through two quarters, while Garcia was able to complete only 5-of-14 passes for 40 yards and a score.
Carolina was unable to find any rhythm in the first quarter as the home team was held off the scoreboard through 15 minutes for the first time this season. Cobras kicker Rob Bironas was errant on a 31-yard field goal attempt on the club's only possession of the frame, while the Dragons found their way into the end zone on their initial drive, thanks in large part to four Carolina penalties, including two pass interference penalties in the end zone. New York's drive ended with a 4-yard scoring catch by Will Holder.
Both offenses showed some life in the second frame as Carolina outscored the visitors 17-10, resulting in the halftime tie. The Cobras offense finally got on the board two minutes into the quarter as Nagy found Damien Groce for a 7-yard scoring strike to tie the game at 7-7. The Dragons regained the lead only moments later as the Cobras surrendered a 55-yard return for a touchdown by DuPree on the ensuing kickoff. The return marked the fourth kickoff return for a touchdown allowed by Carolina this season. The Cobras drove the length of the field once again on their next possession as Travis Reece notched his fourth scoring run of the year to tie the game at 14-14. The two teams traded field goals in the final minute to complete the first half deadlocked at 17-17.
New York took over the contest in the third quarter, scoring 21 consecutive points before Carolina responded in the final moments of the frame to cut the lead to 38-23 heading into the final stanza. On the first drive of the half, Garcia completed four consecutive passes and Rodney Filer capped things off with a one-yard scoring dive. The Dragons defense held Carolina to a missed 60-yard field goal attempt on the Cobras first drive of the half, and New York capitalized with a leaping, 27-yard scoring reception by Richmond Flowers. The visitors took advantage of a long carom off the crossbar on the ensuing kickoff, as Jerry Sharp recovered to set up a three-yard scoring run by Jermaine Miles to give the Dragons a 38-17 lead. The Cobras put an end to their scoreless drought on the final drive of the quarter as Nagy found Doxzon for a 36-yard touchdown reception with only seconds remaining.
Carolina hits the road once again next week as the club travels to face the Indiana Firebirds on Sunday, April 11 at 3:00 p.m. at the Conseco Fieldhouse. The Cobras will look to slow down a red-hot Indiana squad that has won four straight contests.
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