Sports stats



New York Dragons game notes

April 6, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release


Quick Facts:
NY Dragons (5-3) at Columbus Destroyers (2-6)
Date: Saturday, April 10, 2004
Kickoff: 7:00 PM (EST)
Site: Nationwide Arena (17,078)
Officials:
Referee: Wes Fritz
Umpire: Tony Payne
Head Linesman: Jim Hatfield
Line Judge: David Chesney
Back Judge: James Cole
Radio: WLIE 540 AM Peter Schwartz (PxP)
Series Record: This is the second meeting of the season between the teams and the first-ever meeting in Columbus. The Dragons won the first match-up 62-41. The Dragons now hold a 6-3 all-time record. The Dragons are 4-3 vs. the Destroyers since their move to New York going 3-1 at the Coliseum.
Last Regular Season Meeting:
Columbus 62 – New York 41
March 20, 2004 – Nationwide Arena
Coaches:
Columbus – Earle Bruce (15-21, 4th Year, 2-6, 1st year in Columbus)
Dragons - Todd Shell (42-32, 6th Year 13-7, 2nd year as Dragons Coach)

Last Meeting vs. Columbus Recap:
Columbus 62 – New York 41
March 20, 2004 – Nationwide Arena

The Dragons defeated the Columbus Destroyers 62-41 in front 12,289 fans, the largest home crowd in franchise history. QB Aaron Garcia threw for seven touchdowns and was named the Offensive Player of the Game. OS Will Holder finished with three touchdown receptions.
The Dragons jumped out of the gates quickly in the first quarter with a Cosmo DeMatteo touchdown catch. WR/DB Lincoln Dupree would then add a touchdown reception. With the score 14-7, WR/LB Richmond Flowers highlighted the quarter by intercepting a John Rayborn pass at Columbus' seven-yard line. He quickly returned the pickoff for a touchdown. Thanks to Flowers heads-up play, the Dragons had a 21-14 lead after the first period.
In the second quarter, the Dragons took control of the game. They outscored the Destroyers 21-10 with Will Holder and Richmond Flowers adding their second touchdown scores of the night. Flowers' TD reception was particularly special because it was the longest play (45-yards) from scrimmage this season for New York. Late in the half, the Fire Breathin' defense answered the bell once again to cut a Columbus offensive drive short. DS Terrance Joseph came up with the defensive stop with his second interception of the season. On the play, give credit to lineman Anthony Hutch who tipped the Rayborn pass at the line of scrimmage. At the end of the first half, the Dragons had an 18-point lead, 42-24.
The third quarter was a lot quieter than the previous two as only 16-combined points were scored. Holder hauled down his third touchdown of the game to push the Dragons' lead to 22 points. However, Columbus fought back as WR Cornelius White caught his third touchdown of the game to match Holder's total. Even though the Destroyers gained a little bit of ground in the quarter, the Dragons were still leading after three quarters, 49-33.
The Dragons sealed the game early in the fourth quarter when Cosmo DeMatteo caught his second touchdown of the game. With the score 56-33 in the Dragons' favor, rookie FB/LB Josh White ran in a score from three-yards out and DS Donvetis Franklin picked up an interception to seal the game at 62-41.

Game Preview:
The Dragons look to make it five straight wins when they head to Columbus for the first time in franchise history to face the Destroyers. The Dragons are 3-1 on the road this season. They defeated Columbus in their first match of the season.

Next Week:
The Dragons return home to face the John Elway-owned Colorado Crush on Sunday April 18 at 3:00pm. The Dragons defeated the Crush last season at the Coliseum 61-52. The Dragons are winners of their last two home games and will look for their first three-game home win streak since 2001.

The IFS:...
If the DRAGONS defeat the Destroyers it would...
*Give the Dragons a 6-3 record this season.
*Give the Dragons a five-game winning streak.
*Give the Dragons a 4-1 road record.
*Give the Dragons a 6-3 record all-time vs. Columbus.

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 W 57-41
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:
With the 57-41 victory in Carolina, the Dragons upped their record to 3-1 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 9-1 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.

One-Sided Games:
Averaging only 45 points allowed per game, which is fourth best in the AFL, the Dragons boast one of the League's best defenses. The Dragons are scoring 52.0 points per game, which is sixth in the League. The Dragons have won their five games by an average score of 55-39.

Dragons Getting Stops: In the five wins, the Dragons have recorded 23 stops and four made field-goals while in the three losses they only stopped Chicago twice with missed field-goals. They have recorded 18 stops and four FG's in the four game winning streak.

Taking it to the House:
Dragons KR's Lincoln Dupree, Donvetis Franklin and Corey Johnson are topping the AFL charts as the special teams play has been successful in recent weeks. Dupree is seventh in the AFL with 81 missed field-goal return yards and tied for first with one touchdown. As a kick returner, Dupree is seventh averaging 20.6 yards/return and tied for third with two scores. Johnson is eighth in MFG return yardage with 72 and fifth in kick return average with 22.2 yards per return.

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 fourth with 2,207 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 Garcia588 Andy Kelly30,138 Andy Kelly2, 614
2nd AndyKelley587 Sherdick Bonner28, 864 Shedrick Bonner2, 460
3rd Sherdick Bonner 570 Aaron Garcia28, 467 Clint Dolezel2,281
4th Aaron Garcia2, 219

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
Week 9 at Carolina:
Offensive Player of the Game: Lincoln Dupree
Def. Player of the Game: Terrance Joseph
Ironman of the Game: Richmond Flowers

Dragons Transactions:
4/3 – Activated OL/DL Jerry Sharp off IR.
4/1 – Signed OL/DL John Gilles to practice squad
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 – 6 solo tackles shy of 200
Aaron Garcia – 12 touchdowns shy of 600
Anthony Hutch – .5 sacks shy of 20
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)
Corey Johnson – 200th solo tackles (4-4 at Carolina)
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 April 6, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent New York Dragons Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central