Georgia Force game notes

March 8, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Georgia Force News Release


QUICK FACTS:

Georgia Force (5-1) at New York Dragons (4-1)

Date: March 12, 2005
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
Site: Nassau Coliseum (11,985)
Television: FSN (Bob Wischusen: play-by-play, Jonathan Vilma: color analyst, Deb Kaufman: sideline).
Radio: WQXI 790 AM The Zone (David Hubbard: play-by-play, Chuck Oliver: color analyst).
Coaches: Doug Plank, Georgia (5-1, 1st Year).
Weylan Harding (4-1, 1st Year).
Series Record: New York leads the all-time series 2-0
@ Georgia 27, New York 34 (4/12/03)
@ Georgia 28, New York 54 (2/8/04)

THE OPPONENT:


The story for the Dragons this
season has been the play of
their defense particularly when
it comes creating turnovers.
New York ranks first in the AFL
in interceptions with 12 picks in
five games played. The Dragons
also lead the League in turnover margin with a +8 advantage.

On the offensive side of the ball, QB Aaron Garcia is one of the AFL's most decorated passers. Last year, he became the first professional football player to throw for 600+ career touchdowns and surpassed the 30,000 passing yards plateau.

THE GAME:

The Georgia Force travel out for their third road game in their last four contests when they head to New York to face the Dragons on Saturday, March 12th at 7 pm ET at Nassau Veterans Coliseum. This will be the first trip to the Big Apple for Georgia in team's four-year history.

The third time may be a charm, as the Force will look to capture their first ever win against the Dragons after falling to New York in 2003 and 2004. Both teams currently lead their respective divisions with Georgia sitting atop the AFL standings with a 5-1 record, which is tied for best in the League. The Force are also in the midst of a club record-tying four game win streak.

The Georgia/New York match-up could prove to be a defensive battle with both teams ranked in the Top 5 in the League in scoring defense (Force- 3rd and Dragons- 4th)


THE SCHEDULE:

GEORGIA FORCE (5-1)

Date OPPONENT RESULT SCORE
Jan. 30 NEW ORLEANS W 46-44
Feb. 4 @ Los Angeles L 41-46
Feb. 12 ARIZONA W 61-47
Feb. 20 @ Las Vegas W 38-13
Feb. 25 @ Austin W 66-63
March 6 COLUMBUS W 55-48
March 12 @ New York
March 19 ORLANDO
March 26 @ New Orleans
April 2 @ Tampa Bay
April 8 AUSTIN
April 15 GRAND RAPIDS
April 22 @ Orlando
BYE WEEK
May 8 TAMPA BAY
May 14 DALLAS
May 21 @ San Jose

GEORGIA FORCE NEXT WEEK:

The Force host Southern Division rival, the Orlando Predators on Saturday, March 19th at 7 pm in Philips Arena. Georgia leads the all-time series with Orlando 4-2. The Force-Predators game will be televised on FSN.

NOTE- This game was originally scheduled for 1 pm and has been changed to 7 pm.


THE FORCE THIS SEASON ARE:

3-0 at home
2-1 on the road

0-0 vs. Central Division
1-0 vs. Eastern Division
2-0 vs. Southern Division
2-1 vs. Western Division

1-1 on Fridays
1-0 on Saturday
3-0 on Sundays

1-0 in January
3-1 in February
1-0 in March
0-0 in April
0-0 in May

2-1 in televised games

5-1 when leading at the half
0-0 when tied at the half
0-0 when trailing at the half

5-0 when leading after 3 quarters
0-0 when tied after 3 quarters
0-1 when trailing after 3 quarters

1-0 outcome 7 points or less
2-1 outcome 3 points or less
0-0 overtime games

3-1 when the Force scores first
2-0 when opponent scores first


STATISTICS:

A look how Georgia and New York match-up on both sides of the ball based on 2005 regular season statistics:

Statistical GEORGIA New York
Category Rank Stat Rank Stat
Scoring Offense 11th 51.2 4th 55.2
Scoring Defense 3rd 43.5 4th 45.2
Total Offense (yds/g) 5th 290.2 17th 225.4
Total Defense (yds/g) 11th 288.0 9th 285.0
Pass Offense 4th 274.5 17th 210.8
Pass Defense 13th 275.7 10th 258.8
Rushing Offense 11th 15.7 12th 14.6
Rushing Defense 2nd 12.3 12th 26.2
Pass Rating 3rd 119.7 4th 119.9
Pass Def. Rating 7th 103.8 1st 80.0
Kickoff Returns 13th 16.1 1st 23.3
MFG Returns 10th 12.5 4th 25.0
Interceptions (int-yds) 6th 7-31 1st 12-169
Turnover Margin T-6th +3 1st +8
Field Goals 3rd 5-7 17th 1-6
PAT Kicking 8th 36-41 11th 33-40
Sacks By (sks-yds) 9th 5-34 17th 1-8
Sacks Against (sks-yds) 7th 4-33 13th 7-44
First Downs 4th 126 15th 90
Opp. First Downs 15th 127 9th 110
Penalties (yds/gm) 15th 62.2 5th 47.4
Opp. Penalties (yds/gm) 1st 75.5 6th 64.8
Red Zone Offense T-10th 21-27 12th 17-22
Red Zone Defense 1st 18-27 T-2nd 24-33
Time of Possession 11th 29:22 15th 27:32


CONNECTIONS:

Dragons offensive coordinator Tony Kimbrough held the same position with the Force in 2002 for the team's first five games...New York OS Markeith Cooper played for Georgia from 2002-2004 and holds multiple team records in receiving, returns and all-purpose yards...Dragons OL/DL Stacey Evans played for the Force in 2003 and 2004...Force QB Matt Nagy spent one season with the Dragons in 2002...Georgia WR/DB Todd Doxzon played for New York from 2001-2003...Force DS Nate Coggins went to training camp with the Dragons in 2005

THINGS TO WATCH:


HOME COOKING:

For the first time in the team's four-year history, Georgia has started a season 3-0 at home. Currently, the Force are riding a team-record five-game winning streak at home dating back to last season.

Georgia has never finished the season with a winning home record.

YEAR RECORD VENUE
2002 3-4 Philips Arena
2003 3-5 Arena at Gwinnett Center
2004 3-5 Arena at Gwinnett Center
2005 3-0 Philips Arena


MAKING A HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE:

The Force have established a new record for home attendance in each of their first three home games this season.

Last week, vs. Columbus (3/6) the record number 14,104 fans saw Georgia defeat the Destroyers 55-48 in Philips Arena. On February 12th versus Arizona, a crowd of 13,297 witnessed a Force win over the Arizona Rattlers 61-47. And despite a severe ice storm that affected Atlanta causing the Georgia-New Orleans game to be pushed back one day, the Force played to their then largest home crowd in their four-year history of 11,328 fans in the season opener on January 29th .

Before this season, the previous record for a Force home crowd was 11,200, which happened twice with home opener sell-outs at the Arena at Gwinnett Center in 2003 and 2004.


VEGAS HOLD ‘EM:

Georgia's defense stepped up to the challenge at Las Vegas (2/20) and not only came away with a victory but established several new team records in the process.

By only giving up 13 points to the Gladiators, the Force set a new team record for least points allowed in a game (previously 19 at Carolina 4/18/03). Georgia held Las Vegas scoreless in the 1st, 3rd and 4th quarters, which was the second time in team history they had pitched a shutout in the second half (at Carolina 4/18/03).

The Force defense was able to create five turnovers (3 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries) and forced two turnovers on downs. DS Kevin Gaines hauled in all three interceptions on the night tying his career-high.

Georgia is currently ranked 3rd in the AFL in points allowed per game (43.5) and 1st in red zone defense only allowing opponents to score on 18-of-27 tries on the season.


FLAG ON THE PLAY:

The Force and Las Vegas Gladiators combined for 34 penalties in their game on February 20th to set a new AFL record. The previous mark for most penalties in a contest was 21, which had been done twice (once by the Georgia on 4/20/02 vs. Orlando).

That next week, Georgia and Austin combined for 30 penalties in their game on February 25th for the second most penalties in League history.

Currently, the Force are the third most penalized team in the League averaging 62.2 yards per game in penalties while Georgia opponents are ranked first in the AFL in most penalty yards per game with a 75.5 average.

DOUBLE HEADED ROOKIE MONSTER:

Force rookies Troy Bergeron and Derek Lee are making their presence felt week-in and week-out. So far this season, the two have combined for 30 receiving touchdowns and 1,177 receiving yards on 93 receptions. Both rank in the Top 10 in the AFL in all receiving categories.

Last week at Austin (2/25), Lee set the Force single-game record with 5 receiving touchdowns and broke the Force mark for longest single-game reception with his catch and run for a score of 49 yards (also longest in the AFL this season). His 32 points scored in the contest is the most by a player in an AFL game this season (5 touchdowns and a two-point conversion)

Against the Wranglers, Bergeron added a career-high and Force single-game tying record with 11 catches (Lee established the 11 catch mark earlier in the season at Los Angeles). The following week vs. Columbus (3/6), Bergeron set a new Force single-game record for receiving yards with 169.

Bergeron was also named the AFL's Rookie of the Month for February.


3-PEAT (six times):

Through the first five games of the season, rookie OS Troy Bergeron has caught at least three receiving touchdowns in each game. His 19 total receiving scores currently are first in the AFL.

He is on pace to set a new AFL single-season record for most receiving touchdowns (record is 46, held by four players), as well as the same record by a rookie (42, held by Eddie Brown, Albany- 1994).


Bergeron leads the team in receiving with 53 receptions (1st in AFL) for 701 yards (1st in AFL) and 19 touchdowns (1st in AFL). His 114 points scored on the season is also 1st in the AFL.

Not only is Bergeron getting it done on offense, but he is a huge part of the Force's special teams. His 24 kickoff returns (3rd in AFL) for 444 yards (4th in AFL) place him among the League's best.

At only 21 years old, Bergeron is the youngest player in the AFL and never played a snap of football in college. Last year, he played for the af2 Columbus Wardogs.


AMONG THE BEST:

Here is a break-down on where some of the Georgia Force players rank in the AFL in various categories:


PLAYER CATEGORY AFL RANK


OS- Troy Bergeron
Scoring 1st
All-Purpose 2nd
Receptions 1st
Receiving Yards 1st
Receiving TDs 1st
Kickoff Returns 3rd
KO Return Yards 4th

WR/LB- Derek Lee
Receptions 10th
Receiving Yards 10th
Receiving TDs 10th

DS- Kevin Gaines
Interceptions T-1st
Tackles 3rd

DS- Willie Gary
Tackles 5th

K- Nelson Garner
Scoring (Kickers) 4th
Field Goal % 3rd
PAT % 9th

QB- Matt Nagy
Pass Completion % 2nd
Pass Yards per Att. 1st

OL/DL- Gillis Wilson
Sacks 6th

HEAD COACHES:

DOUG PLANK, Georgia (5-1, 1st Year): On July 30, 2004, Doug Plank was announced as the new head coach of the Georgia Force becoming the fourth head coach in the team's history. Plank comes to the Force having served as the defensive coordinator for the Arizona Rattlers from 2002-2004, which included three consecutive ArenaBowl championship game births.

Following a 3-5 start in 2004, the Rattlers turned their season around to finish with a league-tying best 11-5 record and secure the top seed in the AFL playoffs. In 2002, Plank helped guide the Rattlers defense to a number one regular season ranking in rushing defense and scoring defense. In his three years with the Rattlers, he coached four First Team All-Arena selections, two Second Team All-Arena players and four All-Ironman Team choices, including 2003 AFL Ironman of the Year Randy Gatewood.

A former member of The Ohio State University football team, Plank played in three consecutive Rose Bowls, 1973, 1974, and 1975. While at Ohio State, he played for legendary coach Woody Hayes.

Plank brings with him a wealth of football experience that includes an impressive career in the NFL. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 12th round of the 1975 NFL Entry Draft and started at safety for eight seasons. The "46 Defense" created by Buddy Ryan was named for Plank's jersey number and aggressive style of play. Plank was also the first Bears rookie to ever lead the team in tackles.

Following his playing career, Plank became a franchisee for the Burger King Corporation owning and operating 17 restaurants in three different states.


Plank's professional history also includes experience as a member of the Rattlers broadcast team. Prior to becoming defensive coordinator, he spent five years as the Rattlers' radio analyst and two seasons as their television color analyst.

His broadcasting experience also includes stints with the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona State University Football, Fox Sports Net, Westwood One and Sports USA Radio Network.


WEYLAN HARDING, New York (4-1, 1st Year): Weylan Harding will begin his first season as the new head coach of the Dragons in 2005. He joins the team from Columbus, where as the Destroyers' defensive coordinator he established a reputation as a highly-regarded defensive coach.

Harding has spent the last three seasons as the Columbus/Buffalo franchise's defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. After his career as an AFL player concluded, Harding took his first coaching assignment with the Destroyers as their defensive backs coach for the 2000 season. Under his direct guidance, DS Prentice Taylor was an All-Rookie selection. The following season he mentored the defensive backs for the Rochester Brigade of arenafootball2, including current San Francisco cornerback Dwaine Carpenter who later followed him back to Buffalo. The Destroyers brought Harding back as their defensive coordinator in 2002. In 2003 the Destroyers' defense finished as the top-ranked unit in the AFL, allowing only 219.1 yards per game. His unit also finished second in the league in total defense with 238.5 yards per game, four in scoring defense with 46.9 yards per game and fourth in team interceptions with 21. He made the move with the franchise to Columbus for the 2004 season.

As a player, Harding was a defensive specialist for the Iowa Barnstormers - now the Dragons - Nashville and Portland before retiring as a player with Buffalo in 2000.

Harding had a standout collegiate career at Iowa State University where he was a key component to their defensive unit in the early '90s. In his junior season, he was named to the All-Big 8 team with 74 tackles and 21 pass deflections.

At Iowa State, Harding majored in English. He is currently single and resides in Oyster Bay, NY.

LAST TIME THESE TEAMS MET:

DULUTH, GA – New York quarterback Aaron Garcia threw a game-high five touchdown passes and rushed for one more as the visiting Dragons defeated the Georgia Force 54-28. The 26-point defeat was the worst in club history for the Force (since broken) and their first season-opening loss in the team's three-year history (previous 21 points vs. Los Angeles 5/24/02).

New York scored touchdowns on eight on their 10 possessions on the day. The Dragons defense told the story of the game making two interceptions and forcing Georgia to turnover the ball on downs twice and blocked one field goal.

Force OS Markeith Cooper tied the score at 14-14 late in the second quarter on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Leon Murray. But with 22 seconds left in the half, Garcia found Lincoln Depree for an eight-yard TD score to put the Dragons up 20-14 as New York would never let go of the lead the rest of the game.


Score 1 2 3 4 Score
New York 7 13 13 21 54
Georgia 0 14 7 7 28

FORCE LAST WEEK:

ATLANTA, GA – The Georgia Force (5-1) kept their perfect mark at home, now at 3-0, with a 55-48 victory over the Columbus Destroyers (1-4). The victory takes the Force's home winning streak to a team-record five games dating back to last season and keeps Georgia atop the AFL standings with a League best-tying 5-1 record. In addition, the Force set a new attendance mark for the third consecutive home game with a record 14,104 at Philips Arena.

Georgia OS Troy Bergeron keep his record setting pace with four receiving touchdowns on 10 receptions and establishing a new Force single-game high with 169 yards receiving. Force QB Matt Nagy earned his first win as a Force starter, completing 24-of-37 passes for 275 yards and six touchdowns with one interception. For Columbus, WR/LB Cornelius White led the way with a game-high 11 catches for 95 yards and two scores.

Georgia was able to take a 28-21 advantage into the half on the strength of some defensive stops and quick strike offensive plays. Columbus was held scoreless on three possessions through the first two quarters with missed field goals by K Steve Videtich. Both teams traded touchdowns throughout the first quarter, as the Destroyers were able to tie the score as the quarter closed with the help of a Sedrick Robinson 54-yard kickoff return. Georgia responded with 14 straight points on two receiving touchdowns from Bergeron, a 38-yard one-play strike from Nagy followed by a 22-yard touchdown reception in a two-play drive. Columbus added a touchdown from WR/LB Cornelius White on a 10-yard catch from D'Orazio to cut the Force lead to seven at the break.

In the third period, Bergeron caught is third touchdown of the game on a 19-yard pass to push the score and Georgia led to 35-21. Following a fourth missed field goal by Videtich, the Columbus defense stepped up on the Force's next drive as DS Brandon Hefflin intercepted Nagy and returned it 47-yards for a touchdown.

The Destroyers were able to cut the Georgia lead to one point, at 35-34, with White's second scoring reception from four yards out, but that is as close a Columbus would come. The Force scored another 14 straight points on Bergeron's career-high fourth touchdown catch of the game and a net recovery on the ensuing kickoff by FB/LB Chris Demaree in the end zone. Both teams added a touchdown in the final two minutes of play as the Force held on for the win.


Score 1 2 3 4 Final
Columbus 14 7 6 21 48
Georgia 14 14 7 20 55



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 8, 2005


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