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New York Dragons game notes

March 9, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release


Quick Facts:
New York Dragons (2-3)
at Tampa Bay Storm (2-3)
Date: Sunday, March 14, 2004
Kickoff: 12:00 PM (EST)
Site: St. Pete Times Forum (20,082)
Officials: Referee: Pat Garvey
Umpire: Paul King
Head Linesman: Bill Ward
Line Judge: James Mellow
Back Judge: Greg Steed
Supervisor: Buddy Ward
NBC: Pat Haden (PxP), Tom Hammond (Color) and Lewis Johnson (Sideline)
Radio: WLIE 540 AM Peter Schwartz (PxP)
Series Record: This is the sixth meeting all-time between the franchises with the Storm leading 3-2 all-time including an ArenaBowl X defeat over Iowa 42-38. The Dragons played Tampa Bay for the first time last season since moving from Iowa and lost 59-45 at the Coliseum.
Last Regular Season Meeting:
Tampa Bay 59 – New York 45
April 27, 2003 – Nassau Coliseum
Coaches:
Tampa Bay – Tim Marcum (135-50, 15th Year, 89-37, 9th year in Tampa Bay)
Dragons - Todd Shell (39-32, 6th Year 10-7, 2nd year as Dragons Coach)

Last Meeting vs. Tampa Bay Recap:
Tampa Bay 59 – New York 45
April 27, 2003 – Nassau Coliseum

Without QB Aaron Garcia in the lineup, the Dragons did all they could to battle and stay in contention for much of the game against the high-octane Tampa Bay Storm. QB Brent Petrus put forth a worthy effort subbing for Garcia, but Tampa showed why they are one of the AFL's elite with a 59-45 win.
It was slow treading for the Dragons as their offense had difficulty finding a rhythm early in the battle. Although New York got on the board first with a 41-yard field goal from Ian Howfield, Tampa Bay stormed back to score three-consecutive touchdowns to open up a 19-3 advantage by the end of the first quarter.
The Dragons were able to hold serve in the second quarter as both teams added two touchdowns, which allowed Shell's club to stay within striking distance. Petrus hooked up with OS Mike Furrey for the QB's first touchdown pass of the season early in the second. Then, at the end of the quarter, Petrus ran the ball in himself for a score. The first half ended with the Dragons trailing by 15 points, 32-17.
The Fire Breathin' squad came out hot to start the second half. DS Corey Johnson intercepted a John Kaleo pass and returned it for a touchdown. Unfortunately, the celebration was short-lived as Tampa Bay kick return specialist, Freddie Solomon, returned the ensuing kickoff for seven points.
Although New York tried several times in the third and fourth quarters to mount a comeback, Tampa Bay managed to find ways to stifle the Dragons' comeback hopes. On another note, Furrey tied Mike Horacek's record for most touchdown receptions in one season (46) in the third quarter.

Game Preview:
The Dragons will look to build off their victory over the San Jose SaberCats when they head south to meet the defending ArenaBowl Champion Tampa Bay Storm. The Dragons are looking for a win to get back to .500 for the season.

Next Week:
The Dragons return home for a Saturday night matchup vs. the Columbus Destroyers. The Dragons have had success against the team formerly from Buffalo holding a 5-3-lifetime record.

The IFS:...
If the DRAGONS defeat the Storm, it would...
*Give the Dragons a 3-3 record this season.
*Give the Dragons a two-game winning streak.
*Give the Dragons a 2-1 road record.
*Give the Dragons a 3-3 record all-time vs. Tampa.

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 L 41-53
March 7 San Jose 12:00 W 64-50
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:
Looking to Get Back on Track on the Road:
With the defeat in Arizona, the Dragons had their regular season road-winning streak snapped at seven games. Since Head Coach Todd Shell took over the Dragons on Feb. 24 last season, the team is 7-1 on the road in the regular season. The winning streak had dated back to a 65-57 overtime victory over the Detroit Fury on March 16.

Back on Track at Home:
With the Dragons home victory over the SaberCats, the team won their first home game of the year. Since moving to Long Island in 2001, the Dragons are 11-15 at the Nassau Coliseum, including a home playoff win last season vs. the Chicago Rush. This season they are 1-2 at home.

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 12 touchdown receptions, tied for second with 78 points, fifth with 436 receiving yards and tied for 10th with 28 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.

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 574 touchdowns, second with 28,001 passing yards and third with 2,160 completions. On March 7 vs. San Jose, Garcia went 28,000 passing yards. On Feb. 8 at Georgia, Garcia recorded his 2100th AFL completion.

Aaron Garcia All-Time Rankings:
Rank TDs Yardage Completions
1st Aaron Garcia574 Andy Kelly28,703 Andy Kelly2, 581
2nd AndyKelley568 Aaron Garcia28, 001 Shedrick Bonner2, 194
3rd Sherdick Bonner 551 Sherdick Bonner27, 927 Aaron Garcia2, 160

Garcia Named Week 5 Offensive Player of the Week:
QB Aaron Garcia was named the AFL's Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Week after their 64-50 victory over the previously undefeated San Jose SaberCats (3-1). The 2001 Offensive Player of the Year led New York by completing 19-of-21 (90 percent) for 285 yards and nine touchdown passes and one interception. He connected with five different receivers for touchdowns and currently leads the AFL in touchdown passes (30). The former Hornet connected on three scoring strikes in the final quarter as the Dragons outscored the SaberCats 20-3 in the final 15 minutes. This marks the 10th time that the two-time All-Arena QB has earned an AFL weekly honor

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

Week 5 vs. San Jose:
Offensive Player of the Game: Aaron Garcia
Defensive Player of the Game: Terrance Joseph
Ironman of the Game: Lincoln Dupree

Dragons Transactions:

3/5 – FB/LB Chin Achebe on IR. Signed WR/LB off of IR.
2/27 – Signed off practice squad WR/DB Chuck Wesley and DS Jerald Brown.
2/27 – Signed off IR FB/LB Chin Achebe.
2/27 – Placed on IR OL/DL Jermaine Miles
2/26 – Signed K Gary Kral
2/25 – Waived K Pete Elezovic
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

Anthony Hutch – 1.5 sacks shy of 20

Jerry Sharp – 4.0 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)

Donvetis Franklin – 0.5 tackles shy of 200 total tackles

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)



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 9, 2004


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