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New York Dragons game notes

February 10, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release


Quick Facts:
Chicago Rush (1-0)
at New York Dragons (1-0)
Date: Saturday, February 14, 2004
Kickoff: 3:00 PM
Site: Nassau Coliseum (11,216)
Officials:
Referee: Pat Garvey
Umpire: Tony Payne
Head Linesman: Bill Ward
Line Judge: James Mello
Back Judge: Jim Anderson

NBC: Tom Hammond (pxp), Pat Haden (color), Lewis Johnson (Sideline)
Radio: WLIE 540 AM Peter Schwartz (pxp) and Wayne Morris (Color)
Series Record: This is the third regular season meeting all-time between the teams with the series tied 1-1. The Dragons defeated Chicago 54-51 in Chicago last season. The Dragons also defeated the Rush 48-45 in the Wild Card Round of the 2003 AFL Playoffs.
Last Regular Season Meeting:
New York 54 – Chicago 51
March 23, 2003 – AllState Arena (16,000)
Coaches:
Chicago – Mike Hohensee (69-64, 10th year)
Dragons - Todd Shell (37-28, 6th Year 9-4, 2nd year as Dragons Coach)


Last Meeting Recap:
New York 54 – Chicago 51
March 23, 2003 – AllState Arena (16,000)

The Dragons won a defensive battle in Chicago. A late Rush fumbled caused by Jermaine Miles and Rodney Filer sealed the 54-51 win.
It didn't take long for the Dragons to make a big play. On only the second play of the game, Dragons DL Anthony Hutch striped Rush FB Bob McMillen on a rushing play as Chris Anthony recovered the loose ball for New York. Then on offense, Aaron Garcia found Anthony for an 18-yard score to quickly put the Dragons up 7-0. After a slow start by Rush's offense, QB Billy Dicken matched touchdown pass for touchdown pass with Garcia. The Dragons' All-Arena QB joined the 500 career touchdown club early in the second quarter giving the Dragons a 21-10 lead when he hooked up with his favorite receiver, Mike Furrey. Garcia became just the second AFLer in history (after Andy Kelly) to hit the 500-TD mark. . DS Donvetis Franklin continued his superb play and forced the Dragons' fourth defensive stop of the game. Franklin intercepted a Dickens pass intended for Antonio Chatman on the goal line to give the offense the ball back. Mike Furrey then caught his fifth touchdown to give the Dragons a 41-31 lead. With New York holding a 41-37 advantage, Garcia threw a rare interception. Lindsay Fleshman ran the ball in from two yards out to give the Rush their first lead of the game, 41-44. Once again, the Garcia-Furrey combination gave New York the lead back and once again their defense held on for the victory.

Game Preview:
The Dragons will look to build off a decisive Week 1 victory over the Georgia Force when they open their home schedule with a playoff rematch vs. the Chicago Rush.

Next Week:
The Dragons remain at home to face the division rival Dallas Desperados. The Dragons were defeated in the 2003 season opener by Dallas.

The IFS:...
If the DRAGONS defeat the Rush, it would...
*Give the Dragons a 2-0 record this season.
*Give the Dragons a one-game home-winning streak.
*Give the Dragons a 1-0 home record.
*Give the Dragons a 2-1 record all-time vs. the Rush.


2004 Schedule

Date Opponent Time Result
February 8 At Georgia 3:00 W 54-28
February 14 Chicago 3:00
February 22 Dallas 3:00
February 29 At Arizona 3:00
March 7 San Jose 12:00
March 14 At Tampa Bay 12:00
March 20 Columbus 7:00
April 4 At Carolina 3:00
April 10 At Columbus 7:00
April 18 Colorado 3:00
April 24 At Philadelphia 7:30
May 2 At Dallas 3:00
May 8 Carolina 7:00
May 16 Los Angeles 3:00
May 23 At Orlando 3:00
May 30 Philadelphia 4:00

Dragon Tales:
Season and Home Openers:
With the win over the Georgia Force in Week 1, the Dragons won their first season opener since moving to New York. In home openers since moving to New York, the Dragons are 1-2 with a win over the Buffalo Destroyers in 2002.

QB Aaron Garcia Continues to Lead AFL:
Dragons QB Aaron Garcia enters his ninth AFL season as one of the League's top passers. On Feb. 8 at Georgia, Garcia recorded his 2100th AFL completion. Garcia finished 2003 leading the AFL with his second 100-touchdown season in three years. He also was ranked second in completion percentage with a 68.7 rating, second in pass rating with 125.8, fourth in completions with 349 and fourth in yards with 4279.

Aaron Garcia All-Time Rankings:
Rank TDs Yardage Completions
1st AndyKelly552 Andy Kelly28, 064 Andy Kelly2, 503
2nd AaronGarcia549 Shedrick Bonner27, 027 Shedrick Bonner2, 114
3rd Sherdick Bonner 538 Aaron Garcia27, 021 Aaron Garcia2, 086



Don of the D:
DS Donvetis Franklin returns for his third AFL season after leading the League with 93.5 tackles (82-23) last season and finishing second with 90.5 tackles in 2002. The Michigan State grad has recorded 10 interceptions in two seasons.

Will Holder Named Week 1 Ironman of the Week:
Dragons WR/DB Will Holder was named the AFL's Ironman of the Week following the team's 54-28 victory over the Georgia Force. As a wide receiver, Holder caught six passes for 81 yards along with two touchdowns. On defense, he came up with a key interception in the fourth quarter. Holder had an "Only in the Arena League" stretch of the fourth quarter where he caught a touchdown pass, recorded a special teams tackle and intercepted a pass in three consecutive plays.

Road Warriors:
Since taking over the Dragons on Feb. 24 last season, the team is 7-0 on the road in the regular season. The winning streak dates back to a 65-57 overtime victory over the Detroit Fury on March 16.

Sharp to Play in 100th AFL Game:
Saturday's game will mark the 100th in the AFL Career of Jerry Sharp. In his 10th year in the League out of Syracuse University, Sharp has recorded 93.5 total tackles.

Three Dragons Record First Career Reception:
Three newcomers to the Dragons recorded their first career receptions on Feb. 8 at Georgia. Lincoln DuPree, Curtis Fagan and Vinny Sutherland all played in their first AFL games and caught their first passes. DuPree and Fagan also recorded their first AFL touchdown receptions.

















MILESTONES WITHIN REACH

Chris Anthony – 79 yards shy of 1,000 receiving yards

Joey Dozier – 13 yards shy of 400 rushing yards

Donvetis Franklin – 12.5 tackles shy of 200 total tackles

Anthony Hutch – 1.5 sacks shy of 20

Sean Riley – 4 touchdowns shy of 50 receiving touchdowns

Jerry Sharp – 1 games shy of 100 games played
6.5 tackles shy of 100 total tackles

MILESTONES REACHED
Lincoln DuPree - Made his AFL debut (2-8 at Georgia)
Recorded his first career AFL reception (2-8 at Georgia)
Recorded his first career AFL touchdown (2-8 at Georgia)

Curtis Fagan – Made his AFL debut (2-8 at Georgia)
Recorded his first career AFL reception (2-8 at Georgia)
Recorded his first career AFL touchdown (2-8 at Georgia)

Aaron Garcia – 2100th AFL completion (2-8 at Georgia)

Terrence Joseph – 50th total tackle (2-8 at Georgia)

Vinny Sutherland - Made his AFL debut (2-8 at Georgia)
Recorded his first career AFL reception (2-8 at Georgia)

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 10, 2004


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