Force advance, 72-69, over Dragons
Published on May 21, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release
Uniondale, NY- The sixth seeded Georgia Force upset the number three seeded New York Dragons, 72-69, in Nassau Coliseum. Georgia was led by Offensive Player of the Game OS Chris Jackson and QB Matt Nagy. Jackson registered 13 receptions for 180 yards and five touchdowns, while Nagy completed 28-of-39 passes for 362 yards, nine touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. Nagy's nine touchdown passes set a new franchise record for touchdown passes in a playoff game, surpassing his previous mark of seven set last year against Orlando (6/4/05).
After the first 15 minutes of play, Georgia trailed New York, 21-14. The Force opened the scoring with a 12-yard pass to Jackson from Nagy. The Dragons' answered when QB Nick Browder connected with OS Kevin Swayne from 17 yards out. New York scored the next points of the game on a 30-yard pass from Browder to WR/LB Mike Horacek. Georgia answered when WR/LB Derek Lee made a juggling touchdown grab from 27 yards out. The Dragons' added another score in the quarter when Browder found Horacek for the second time, this time for a seven-yard score.
The second quarter ended with Georgia leading New York, 37-35. The Force opened the quarter with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Nagy to Jackson. Georgia's defense created the first turnover of the game on New York's ensuing possession when Lee intercepted Browder on a fourth down. Jackson scored his third touchdown of the game when Nagy found him from 10 yards out. Horacek responded, catching a 35-yard pass from Browder for his third score of the game. Nagy threw a quick pass to Lee and Lee stiff-armed his way to the end zone, giving the Force a, 35-28, lead. Under extreme pressure from the Force's OL/DL Adam Metts and OL/DL Jermaine Smith, Browder fumbled the ball in the end zone, which was recovered by New York's FB/LB Richard McCleskey who was tackled by Smith for a safety. The Force attempted a hook-and-latter play with one second remaining in the half, but Lee's pitch to Jackson was fumbled and was recovered by New York's DS Dahnel Singfield and returned 13 yards for a touchdown.
Georgia outscored New York for the second straight quarter, giving the Force a, 51-47, advantage heading into the final quarter of game. The teams traded scores throughout the quarter, with the difference being that Dragons' K Jesse Obert missed two PATs. Horacek scored twice for New York, including a 40-yard laser from Browder. Georgia's scores came on a three-yard run by Nagy and a 15-yard reception by Jackson.
New York was able to chip into the Georgia lead by outscoring the Force, 22-21, in the final quarter, but in the end Georgia held on for the victory, 72-69. After trading scores the open the quarter, Metts forced New York's FB/LB Bruce Blue fumble, which was recovered by Georgia's FB/LB Robert Thomas. The Force capitalized on the turnover when Nagy hit Lee on a 16-yard pass in the corner of the end zone. Georgia iced the game when WR/DB Tyronne Jones caught a 29-yard laser from Nagy, extending the Force's lead to, 72-61.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 21, 2006
- Wranglers 2006 campaign ends with 52-35 loss to Soul - Austin Wranglers
- Rush stays hot, advances to quarterfinals - Chicago Rush
- Force advance, 72-69, over Dragons - Georgia Force
- Kats end season with playoff loss to Rush - Nashville Kats
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