Dragons Trapped By Predators
April 15, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
The New York Dragons troubles continued on Friday night as they dropped a 72-60 decision to the Orlando Predators at the TD Waterhouse Center. With the defeat the Dragons losing streak increases to three games. The Dragons' record falls to 6-5 while Orlando improved to 8-4.
The game went back and forth for most of the game as each squad held the lead at one point through the first three quarters. But at the tail end of the third quarter, Orlando took control off an interception by WR/LB Corey Fleming, which led to a 51-40 advantage. While the Dragons would fight back, they were never able to fully close the gap and complete the comeback.
QB Aaron Garcia completed 27 of 36 passes for 326 yards and six touchdowns. He is now only six tosses away from becoming the first professional quarterback to throw for 700 touchdowns in a career. His Orlando counterpart Joe Hamilton threw five touchdowns before leaving the game late in the second quarter with a separated shoulder. He did not return, but his replacement did a solid job in the second half by passing for two touchdowns as well as rushing two in.
Dragons' FB/LB Josh "Zeus" White rushed eight times for 27 yards and two scores on the ground. He was guilty of a fumble on the Dragons first possession of the game, but did atone for his mistake throughout the game. WR/LB Chris Anthony led the Dragons with ten receptions for 111 yards and a game-high three scores. WR/DB DaShane Dennis, WR/DB Will Holder and OS Mike Horacek each added a score. Dennis also returned a kickoff for a touchdown for the team's league-leading eighth of the season.
Next week the Dragons return home to the Nassau Coliseum to take on division rival Philadelphia Soul. The game will be broadcasted nationally on NBC and can also be heard on 1050 In Week Six, the Dragons defeated the Soul 61-54 on a last second touchdown reception by WR/DB Will Holder.
FOURTH QUARTER TURNING POINTS:
Dennis gave the Dragons their league-leading eighth kick return for a touchdown early in the quarter. But on Orlando's next drive the Predators came up with a big fourth down conversion, which was the closest the Dragons got to a defensive stop in the fourth quarter. WR/LB Corey Fleming caught a seven-yard pass from Sanders to move the chains. The Dragons could not force a defensive stop in the final minute of the game as Orlando sealed the win with a late 36-yard touchdown pass.
THIRD QUARTER RECAP:
After Orlando scored on their opening drive of the second half, which put them back in front 44-40, Garcia threw an interception. His pass was picked off by Fleming. Sanders ran the ball in from four yards out as Orlando opened up a 51-40 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS:
The game got off to an auspicious start for the Dragons as White was guilty of fumbling on the first drive of the game. Orlando came out strong scoring on both possessions of the first quarter and their first of the second. White made up for his earlier mistake with a three-yard rushing touchdown on the Dragons' next drive, their only score in the opening quarter.
The Dragons got back in the game in the second quarter with receiving touchdowns from Holder, Horacek, Anthony and Dennis along with another rushing score from White. OL/DL John Thomas recovered a fumbled snap by Hamilton which led to a one-yard touchdown catch by Anthony. The Dragons opened up their first lead of the game, 33-27, on the play. Orlando kicker Brian Gowins kicked a 20-yard field as time expired in the half as the Dragons took a 40-37 lead into the locker room.
NOTES: The before the game, a ten-second moment of silence was help in the memory of Los Angeles Avengers' lineman Al Lucas. Every player in the AFL will wear a No. 76 decal on their helmet for the remainder of the season. Garcia paid special tribute to Lucas with a message that "R.I.P. Al Lucas # 76" on his sleeve... For information on the Al Lucas Trust Fund, please click here (http://www.arenafootball.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3500&ATCLID=116767&SPID=1563&KEY=&DB_OEM_ID=3500&DB_LANG=&IN_SUBSCRIBER_CONTENT=)...Prior to leaving New York on Thursday, the team placed WR/DB Corey Johnson on the Injured Reserve list.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 15, 2005
- Dragons Trapped By Predators - New York Dragons
- Philadelphia Soul QB on ESPN2 this Monday, April 18th - Philadelphia Soul
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