Force fall to Dragons in New York, 53-51
Published on March 13, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release
New York (5-1) K Rob Bironas' 32-yard field goal with 14.5 seconds left in the game proved to be the difference as the Dragons defeated the Georgia Force (5-2) 53-51. New York DS Billy Parker sealed the victory with an interception of Georgia QB Matt Nagy in the final seconds.
The Dragons were led by WR/DB Corey Johnson, who finished the game with two touchdowns on special teams returns and added one score receiving on six catches for 73 yards. Johnson also contributed on defense with an interception. For Georgia, WR/LB Derek Lee posted a career-high six receiving touchdowns on 11 receptions for 148 yards.
The first half was a tale of two quarters with both teams scoring at will in the first 15 minutes of play and defensive pressure in the second period. New York got on the scoreboard first with an Aaron Garcia touchdown pass to OS Mike Horackek from 9-yards out. After that each team went on a scoring frenzy with the next 34 points coming off of only seven plays. Georgia put up 14 quick points on a one-play strike from Nagy to Lee from 31-yards, then Nagy found OS Troy Bergeron on a two-play possession from 35-yards but a missed PAT by Nelson Garner left the Force down by one. Between the Georgia's two touchdowns, the Dragons Johnson returned a kickoff 55 yards for a score. Lee added another touchdown from Nagy on a three-play 14-yard TD, as New York took a 21-20 lead after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Georgia defense came up with the game's first stop forcing the Dragons into a turnover on downs. On the Force's following drive, Nagy was intercepted by Johnson in the redzone. New York grabbed a three point lead at the break as Bironas connected from 24 yards to give the Dragons a 31-28 advantage.
Georgia evened the score at 44-44 by the end of the third quarter with a key safety by OL/DL Jermaine Smith. Both quarterbacks added touchdown passes in the third frame and Johnson made his second special teams score of the contest with a 57-yard missed field goal return. In the fourth quarter, the Force took their only lead of the game at 51-50 on Lee's sixth touchdown of the game with 4:21 left. New York was able to drive down on their next possession and run enough time off the clock setting up Bironas' game winning kick. Nagy, who passed for a game-high seven touchdowns in the game, threw two interceptions in the final quarter.
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