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New York Dragons game notes

February 24, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release


Quick Facts:
New York Dragons (1-2)
at Arizona Rattlers (1-2)
Date: Sunday, February 29, 2004
Kickoff: 3:00 PM (EST)
Site: Nassau Coliseum (11,216)
Officials:
Referee: Tom McCabe
Umpire: Matt Jordan
Head Linesman: Neil Brunner
Line Judge: Bob McElwee
Back Judge: Joe Duncan
NBC: Pat Haden (PxP), Tom Hammond (Color) and Lewis Johnson (Sideline)
Radio: WNYG 1440 AM
Series Record: This is the 10th meeting all-time between the teams with Arizona leading the series 5-4. Arizona is 4-3 in regular season meetings vs. the Dragons franchise, but the Dragons are 2-0 against Arizona since moving to New York. Arizona defeated the then Iowa Barnstormers in ArenaBowl XI in 1997.
Last Regular Season Meeting:
New York 62 – Arizona 55
July 14, 2001 – America West Arena

Coaches:
Arizona – Danny White (111-52, 13th year)
Dragons - Todd Shell (38-31, 6th Year 9-6, 2nd year as Dragons Coach)

Last Meeting vs. Arizona Recap:
New York 62 – Arizona 55
July 14, 2001 – America West Arena

The Dragons record moved to 7-6 with a 62-55 victory over the Arizona Rattlers. The dynamic duo of QB Aaron Garcia and OS Kevin Swayne led the team to the victory. Garcia threw for 270 yards and while the Game MVP Swayne caught 10 passes for 220 yards and all six Garcia touchdown passes.

With the scored tied at 48 going into the fourth quarter, Garcia hooked up with Swayne for a score to give the Dragons a seven-point lead. On the ensuing drive, Andre Goines intercepted a pass and Dragons struck again with Garcia hitting Swayne to make it 62-48. Arizona would score to cut the lead to 62-55 where it would stay.

Game Preview:
The Dragons head west to Arizona in a battle of 1-2 teams when they face the Rattlers. It's the first of a two-game stretch against teams Head Coach Todd Shell previously coached when they play the Arizona Rattlers. Shell was the defensive coordinator in Arizona from 1992-1994.

Next Week:
The Dragons return home to face the San Jose SaberCats. It will be a reunion of sorts for Head Coach Todd Shell as he coached the SaberCats from 1995-1998 earning a 29-25 record.

The IFS:...
If the DRAGONS defeat the Rattlers, it would...
*Give the Dragons a 2-2 record this season.
*Give the Dragons an eight-game road-winning streak.
*Give the Dragons a 2-0 road record.
*Give the Dragons a 5-5 record all-time vs. Arizona.

2004 Schedule

Date Opponent Time Result
February 8 At Georgia 3:00 W 54-28
February 14 Chicago 3:00 L 54-56
February 22 Dallas 3:00 L 44-56
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:
On the Road Again:
With a win over the Georgia Force on Feb. 8, the Dragons upped their road-winning streak to eight games. Since Head Coach Todd Shell took 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.

Home Struggles:
While the Dragons have been red hot on the road, they have not had the same success at home losing their first two home games this season. Since moving to Long Island in 2001, the Dragons are 10-15 at the Nassau Coliseum, including a home playoff win last season vs. the Chicago Rush. This season they are 0-2 at home.

QB Aaron Garcia Continues to Lead AFL:
Dragons QB Aaron Garcia enters his ninth AFL season as one of the League's top passers. He ranks first all time with 561 touchdowns, third with 27,510 passing yards and 2,127 completions. On Feb. 8 at Georgia, Garcia recorded his 2100th AFL completion.

Aaron Garcia All-Time Rankings:
Rank TDs Yardage Completions
1st Aaron Garcia561 Andy Kelly28, 328 Andy Kelly2, 547
2nd AndyKelley559 Shedrick Bonner27, 563 Shedrick Bonner2, 163
3rd Sherdick Bonner 543 Aaron Garcia27, 510 Aaron Garcia2, 127

Holder Topping the Charts:
Dragons WR/DB Will Holder is having a breakout season sitting in the Top 10 of the AFL's receiving leaders. Holder ranks tied for second with seven touchdown receptions, tied for fourth with 42 points, ninth with 265 receiving yards and 10th with 20 receptions. Holder was named the Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game Week 3 vs. Dallas catching nine passes for 105 yards with four touchdowns.

Will Holder Named Week 1 Ironman of the Week:
Dragons WR/DB Will Holder was named the US Army 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.

Game Award Winners:
Week 1 at Georgia:
Offensive Player of the Game: Aaron Garcia
Defensive Player of the Game: Will Holder

Week 3 vs. Dallas:
Offensive Player of the Game: Will Holder
Defensive Player of the Game: Donvetis Franklin
Ironman of the Game: Joey Dozier

Dragons Transactions:
2/23 – Waived WR/LB Vinny Sutherland
2/21 – Activated WR/LB Richmond Flowers from IR
2/21 – Released WR/DB Sean Riley
Signed OL/DL Kelvin Ingram
Placed OL/DL Ken Talanoa on IR
2/17 – Placed WR/LB Curtis Fagan on IR
2/11 – Announced Retirement of Eddie Brown.



MILESTONES WITHIN REACH

Joey Dozier – 6 yards shy of 400 rushing yards

Donvetis Franklin – 0.5 tackles shy of 200 total tackles

Anthony Hutch – 1.5 sacks shy of 20

Jerry Sharp – 5.5 tackles shy of 100 total tackles

MILESTONES REACHED

Chris Anthony – 1,000th receiving yards (2-14 vs. Chicago)

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)

Richmond Flowers – Made his AFL debut (2-22 vs. Dallas)
Recorded his first career AFL reception (2-22 vs. Dallas)

Jerry Sharp – 100th games played (2-14 vs. Chicago)

Vinny Sutherland - Made his AFL debut (2-8 at Georgia)
Recorded his first career AFL reception (2-8 at Georgia)
Recorded his first career AFL touchdown (2-14 vs. Chicago)

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 24, 2004


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