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New York Dragons game notes

March 30, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release


Quick Facts:
New York Dragons (4-3) at Carolina Cobras (3-5)
Date: Sunday, April 4, 2004
Kickoff: 12:00 PM (EST)
Site: Charlotte Coliseum (12,229)
Officials:
Referee: Riley Johnson
Umpire: Paul Frerking
Head Linesman: Darrel Leftwich
Line Judge: Paul Engelberts
Back Judge: Bud McCleskey
NBC: Allen Bestwick (pxp), Charles Davis (color)
Chuck Howard (sideline)
Radio: WLIE 540 AM Peter Schwartz (PxP)
Series Record: This is the fourth meeting all-time between the franchises with the Dragons leading 2-1. The Dragons defeated Carolina 63-47 last season to clinch the Eastern Division title.
Last Regular Season Meeting:
New York 63 – Carolina 47
May 16, 2003 – Charlotte Coliseum
Coaches:
Carolina – John Gregory (67-49, 10th Year, 1-1, 1st year in Carolina)
Dragons - Todd Shell (41-32, 6th Year 12-7, 2nd year as Dragons Coach)

Last Meeting vs. Carolina Recap:
New York 63 – Carolina 47
May 16, 2003 – Charlotte Coliseum

After starting the season 0-6, Todd Shell's squad clinched the National Conference Eastern Division Title with a 63-47 win over the Carolina Cobras. William Holder recorded four touchdowns and Aaron Garcia threw for 365-yards in the victory. The Cobras didn't look like a 0-15 squad in the first quarter as they jumped out to a quick start. The Dragons forced a long field goal attempt on the first series, but Cobras' kicker Matt George booted a perfect 51-yard field goal. After a Garcia to Holder touchdown, Carolina scored on back-to-back possessions to take a 16-7 lead early in the second quarter. The first score was recorded on a Chris Johnson eight-yard touchdown reception. Following a Larry Casher interception off of an errant pass by Garcia, Nick Ward put seven points on the board to start the second quarter for the hosts.

New York started to come back in the second quarter and cut the Cobras' lead to two points twice. Holder's second touchdown along with a Damien Groce 34-yard score kept the Dragons in the game. Late in the half, Garcia threw another interception, which was returned 51-yards for a touchdown by DB Nick Ward. With less than five seconds remaining in the first half, Garcia redeemed himself by hooking up with WR Todd Doxzon as the half expired to cut Carolina's lead to five points, 33-28.
It was a wild third quarter as the teams traded several scores and turnovers. The Dragons got the ball first and Holder caught his third touchdown pass of the game on first play of the half. Carolina then fumbled the ball as it was recovered by DS Carlos James. Two plays later, the Dragons scored on a Rodney Filer three-yard touchdown run, giving the Drags a 42-33 lead.

However, the Cobras fought back and Alvin Ashley returned the kickoff 56-yards for a score. Later, Doxzon caught a six-yard touchdown pass and gave his team a 49-40 lead. On the very last play of the quarter, the hosts cut the lead to two points on a Jamaal Garman three-yard TD reception. Holder continued his career game in this all-important match by picking up his fourth touchdown of the game from Garcia with 11:14 remaining in the game giving the Dragons a 56-47 lead. The Dragons got the ball back off of a George missed field goal. The Dragons then iced the game late in the final period. Garcia hooked up with Doxzon for a 25-yard score with 1:45 to go and, with Howfield's conversion, put this one in the books.

Game Preview:
The Dragons return from their bye week and go on the road to Carolina in a heated contest as it marks the first time former longtime Dragons head coach John Gregory will face his former team. Prior to joining the Cobras for the 2004 campaign, Gregory served as head coach of the New York franchise for nine years from 1995-2003. Along with Gregory, five Cobra players spent time with the Dragons in 2003, including quarterback Matt Nagy, offensive specialist Todd Doxzon and wide receiver/defensive back Damien Groce.


Next Week:
The Dragons remain on the road and head to Columbus for a Saturday night meeting with the Destroyers.

The IFS:...
If the DRAGONS defeat the Cobras it would...
*Give the Dragons a 5-3 record this season.
*Give the Dragons a four-game winning streak.
*Give the Dragons a 3-1 road record.
*Give the Dragons a 3-1 record all-time vs. Carolina.

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 W 40-35
March 20 Columbus 7:00 W 62-41
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:
Back on Track on the Road:
With the 40-35 victory in Tampa Bay, the Dragons regained their prowess on the road. Earlier in the season, they had their road winning-streak snapped at seven games. Since Head Coach Todd Shell took over the Dragons on Feb. 24 last season, the team is 8-1 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.

Winning at Home:
With the Dragons home victory over the Destroyers, the team won their second home game of the year. Since moving to Long Island in 2001, the Dragons are 12-15 at the Nassau Coliseum, including a home playoff win last season vs. the Chicago Rush. This season they are 2-2 at home. The Dragons have won consecutive home games for the first time since May 25 – June 3, 2001 when they won four straight.

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 seventh with 16 touchdown receptions, seventh with 96 points. 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 585 touchdowns, third with 28,334 passing yards and third with 2,186 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 Garcia585 Andy Kelly29,666 Andy Kelly2, 651
2nd AndyKelley584 Sherdick Bonner28, 713 Shedrick Bonner2, 274
3rd Sherdick Bonner 567 Aaron Garcia28,334 Aaron Garcia2, 186

Dupree Named Week 6 US ARMY Ironman of the Week:
The AFL following the Dragons 40-35 victory over Tampa Bay named rookie WR/DB/KR Lincoln Dupree the Week 6 US Army Ironman of the Week. The 5-11, 190-pound Dupree played college football at Eastern Michigan and was the 2002 arenafootball2 Rookie of the Year. He tallied two receptions for 28 yards and two touchdowns on offense, 1.5 total tackles and a fumble recovery on defense, and a 55-yard kickoff return and a 38-yard missed-field-goal return for two additional touchdowns. This marks the first time that the former Eagle has earned an AFL weekly honor.



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
Week 6 at Tampa Bay
Offensive Player of the Game: Lincoln Dupree
Defensive Player of the Game: Lincoln Dupree
Ironman of the Game: Rodney Filer
Week 7 vs. Columbus:
Offensive Player of the Game: Aaron Garcia
Def. Player of the Game: Terrance Joseph
Ironman of the Game: Richmond Flowers

Dragons Transactions:

3/18 – Placed OL/DL Jerry Sharp and Tim McGill on IR. Activated OL/DL Jermaine Miles off IR.
3/12 – Signed OL/DL Ken Talanoa off IR. Signed FB/LB Kerry Taylor
3/9 – FB/LB Joey Dozier on IR
3/7 – Placed WR/LB Chris Anthony on IR
3/5 – FB/LB Chin Achebe on IR. Signed WR/LB Cosmo DeMatteo 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

Donvetis Franklin – 9.5 solo tackles shy of 200
Anthony Hutch – 1.5 sacks shy of 20
Corey Johnson – 1 tackles shy of 200 solo tackles
Jerry Sharp – 4.0 tackles shy of 100 total tackles
Chuck Wesley – 25 receiving yards shy of 200

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)

William Holder – 1000th AFL receiving yard (3-20 vs. Columbus)

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 30, 2004


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