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Garcia's return sparks Dragons

by David Holusha
April 29, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons


The triumphant return of all-arena quarterback Aaron Garcia left no doubt that when he is in the lineup, the New York Dragons are still a formidable team.

"The energy level that they played with and the confidence they showed with Aaron's return was really obvious out there," said a relieved headcoach Weylan Harding.

Returning to the field in over a year, the standout QB put up big-time numbers going 17-30 for 251 yards and seven touchdowns against The Arizona Rattlers. The final tally had the Dragons winning by 25 points, 67-45.

"This is something for 14 months now - whether it's been laying in bed with a cast on, or limping around the park with my kids - this is something I've been dreaming about - seeing and visualizing - tonight it was just a matter of getting out here and doing it," said Garcia.

"I can't give enough credit to the offensive line for the job they did. They did probably make it look easier than it was at times," he continued.

The game started out perfectly for the Dragons, when DB and return specialist DaShane Dennis ran back the opening kickoff for the first score of the game. It's just the start this hard luck team (four consecutive losses by very close scores) needed. For his part, Arizona QB Sherdrick Bonner led his team downfield to even the score. Then it was time for Garcia to shake off the rust.

Stepping into the pocket, Garica's first pass was crisp, as he hit indestructible receiver Mike Horacek for a 9 yard gain. Yet, the next three plays would result in two incomplete passes and a 4th down running play that failed to pick up the single yard necessary for the first down. However, an offsides penalty on Arizona would give the Dragons new life on the series. This time Garica made no mistake about it as he skied one of his patented bombs to Horacek for a 31 yard TD.

"It was good because I had a few plays where I struggled a little bit, and then had to come up and make a play," said Garcia. When we did that, not only did it help my confidence, but maybe the rest of the team, to say ‘ok we can get down, have some tough times but still succeed'."

Besides the inspired play of Garica and his teammates (or perhaps as a result of it) the Arizona Rattlers undoing was their five turnovers (4 interceptions and 1 fumble). Conversely, the Dragons only turned the ball over once, when Garcia was uncharacteristically intercepted.

DB's Billy Parker and DaShane Dennis combined on a key defensive play with two minutes gone in the second quarter and the Dragons leading by only 1 TD, when Dennis forced a fumble and Parker recovered it.

"The whole defensive unit played well," added coach Harding. "The linemen tipping passes, getting pressures. Billy Parker finally figuring their quarterback out. It's something that we've been doing all along - averaging two or three stops a game."

The very next play from scrimmage had Garcia lofting another bomb to Horacek, this time for a 27 yard TD.

With three minutes gone in the fourth quarter, Garica was picked off by DB Tony Lukins. However, two plays later Dragons DB Will Holder returned the favor by pulling down a pick of his own.

"I think the critical ingredient in arena football is take advantage of those turnover opportunities," continued Garcia. "I think maybe in the last seven weeks, that may have been the difference. We weren't able to take advantage of some of those situations. You have to get that offense on the other team down - especially a great quarterback like Sherdrick Bonner. If you can throw him off balance and then get a quick score, that definitely adds some pressure."

We took care of the business we needed to take care of," said Harding. "We didn't turn the ball over and we scored pretty much on every possession. That's what you've got to do with arena - to hold serve. When you get those opportunities to drive a nail in you have to go for it. We've reversed what's been happening to us. The rabbits finally got the gun."

This is only a step," added Garcia. "We all talked about not letting this thing be so close, that those 4 or 5 plays don't make or break you. And it will make or break you if it's a close game like it has been. Whereas we put this one out of question, midway through the fourth quarter. That's what you need to do in this league if you can."

Consistent game-in, game-out star Mike Horacek finished with 7 receptions for 123 yards and 4 TD's.

"They were trying to play us man-to-man, so it's my job to try and beat the man coverage. I just try to get open, and if the quarterback can make a read and find me, then 9 times out of ten it will be a touchdown," said Horacek. "We had some good connections and we missed a couple. But it was his first game back, and we'll continue to work on it."

"This was a great team effort," continued Horacek. "Offensive, defensively and special teams. It's what we've been needing for a while now. In previous games we've either made the plays on special teams or on offense or defense - while the other two phases of the game have struggled in terms of mistakes. This was a total effort. Great plays, no mistakes and we ended up winning by 25 points."

Check out some of the game event activities, including the always dazzling New York Dragons FireDancers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E65Rbw62CgU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ0B6YzQiEc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5aEJwrLJic

The Dragons now head to Columbus for a Friday night tilt.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 29, 2007


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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