Sports stats



New York Dragons game notes

May 4, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release


Quick Facts:
Carolina Cobras (4-8) at New York Dragons (7-5)
Date: Saturday, May 8, 2004
Kickoff: 7:00 PM (EST)
Site: Nassau Coliseum (11,216)
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) and Wayne Morris (color)
Series Record: This is the fifth meeting all-time between the franchises with the Dragons leading the series 3-1. The Dragons defeated Carolina 57-41 earlier in the season.
Last Regular Season Meeting:
New York 57 – Carolina 41
April 4, 2004 – Charlotte Coliseum
Coaches:
Carolina – Ron Selesky (6-12, 2nd Year, 1-1, 1st year as Cobras Coach)
Dragons - Todd Shell (44-34, 6th Year 15-9, 2nd year as Dragons Coach)

Last Regular Season Meeting Recap:
New York 57 – Carolina 41
April 4, 2004 – Charlotte Coliseum

The Dragons extended their win streak to four games as they defeated the Cobras 57-41. Seven different Dragons factored into the scoring with Lincoln Dupree adding another kick return touchdown.

The first quarter was uncharacteristically low in scoring. The Dragons' defense held the Cobras to a 31-yard field goal attempt on the first drive of the game. The kick sailed wide-right for New York's first defensive stop of the afternoon. Aaron Garcia then connected with OS Will Holder to give his team a 7-0 lead as the first quarter concluded.

After the Cobras opened the second quarter with a Damien Groce touchdown reception, KR Lincoln Dupree showed his brilliance at returning kicks as he brought back Carolina's ensuing kickoff for a 55-yard touchdown. The Cobras converted on a fourth-and-goal on the ground to knot the game at 14. On the next possession, they were held to a long field goal attempt, but Kicker Gary Kral split the uprights on a 47-yard attempt to give New York a three-point edge with 49 seconds remaining in the second. Carolina was held to a field goal once again on their next drive. After Bironas' 18-yard field goal, the game was tied at 17 and the teams went into the locker room at halftime with the score 17-17.

The Dragons opened up the second half breathing fire as they scored 21 points before Carolina found the endzone. FB Rodney Filer started things off with a one-yard rushing score, which was set up by a nifty 25-yard reception by WR Cosmo DeMatteo. On defense, DB Corey Johnson came up with a big third down pass breakup to set up a missed field goal by the Cobras. Garcia then hooked up with WR Richmond Flowers, who made a spectacular over-the-shoulder grab to put the Dragons up 31-17. Next, Kral perfectly placed his ensuing kickoff off the iron on the rebound net, which caused the football to bounce around on the turf. Lineman Jerry Sharp jumped on the loose pigskin at Carolina's two-yard line. Jermaine Miles ran the ball in for a score and the Dragons found themselves leading by 21 points, 38-17. Before the third quarter was complete, former Dragon Todd Doxzon reeled in a 36-yard touchdown to cut New York's lead to 38-23.

The Cobras would try to make a fourth-quarter comeback, but the Dragons would not yield. Kral would start things off in the fourth with a 26-yard field goal. Carolina would strike back immediately as Cobras QB Matt Nagy connected with WR Jack Walker Jr. to cut their deficit to 12 points. But that would be as close as they would get. Dupree showed his prowess again, this time on offense, as he brought in a 26-yard pass from Garcia. The Dragons' defense then stopped the Cobras' offense again for a forth time. Kral added a 45-yard field goal to take control of the game for good. With New York leading by 22 points, 51-29, the game was in their hands.
Doxzon added another touchdown for Carolina and Filer capped things off for New York with another rushing touchdown. As time expired, Walker Jr. added his second touchdown of the game. The final score of the game was 57-41.

Game Preview:
The Dragons return home for a match with division rival Carolina Cobras. The Dragons defeated Carolina 57-41 earlier in the season. With a win on Saturday night, the Dragons record would move to 8-5 placing them three games over .500 for the first time since moving to New York.

Next Week:
The Dragons remain home to face the high-flying offense of the Los Angles Avengers. This game is sure to have significant playoff implications.


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 L 55-65
April 18 Colorado 3:00 W 52-49
April 24 At Philadelphia 7:30 L 58-60
May 2 At Dallas 3:00 W 44-20
May 8 Carolina 7:00
May 16 Los Angeles 3:00
May 23 At Orlando 3:00
May 30 Philadelphia 4:00

The IFS:...
If the DRAGONS defeat the Cobras it would...
*Give the Dragons an 8-5 record this season.
*Give the Dragons a four-game home winning streak.
*Give the Dragons a 4-2 home record.
*Give the Dragons a 4-1 record all-time vs. the Cobras.

Dragon Tales:
Three over .500:
With a win over the Carolina Cobras on Saturday night, the Dragons record would go to 8-5 putting the team three games over .500 for the first since moving from Iowa. The Dragons finished the 2000 season with a 9-5 record.

Winning at Home:
With the Dragons 52-49 home victory over the Colorado Crush, the team won their third home game of the year. Since moving to Long Island in 2001, the Dragons are 13-15 at the Nassau Coliseum, including a home playoff win last season vs. the Chicago Rush. This season they are 3-2 at home. The Dragons have now won three-consecutive home games for the first time since May 25 – June 3, 2001 when they won four straight.

Victory on the Road:
With the 44-20 win over the Dallas Desperados, the Dragons upped their road record to 4-3. The win snapped the first two-game road losing-streak since Head Coach Todd Shell took over the Dragons on Feb. 24,2003. The team is 10-3 on the road in the regular season under Shell. .

The Defense Rests:
Averaging 46.2 points allowed per game, which is fourth best in the AFL, 16.3 rushing yards, which is fourth best, the Dragons boast one of the League's best defenses. The Dragons are scoring 52.1 points per game, which is sixth in the League. The Dragons have won their seven games by an average score of 53-38.

Dragons Getting Stops: In the seven wins, the Dragons have recorded 35 stops and four made field-goals while in the four losses they only stopped Chicago twice (missed field-goals), Columbus once (missed field-goal) and the Soul twice (interception and missed field goal).

Taking it to the House:
Dragons KR Lincoln Dupree is topping the AFL charts as the special teams play has been successful in recent weeks. Dupree is tied for sixth in the AFL with 102-missed field-goal return-yards and tied for first with one touchdown. As a kick returner, Dupree is 10th with 684 return yards ranking tied for fourth averaging 21.4 yards/return and tied for sixth with two scores.

Corey Johnson Ties Franchise Record:
With three interceptions at Dallas on May 1, Corey Johnson tied the franchise record for interceptions in a game previously set by Todd Harrington on July 5, 1997 and again by Mike Furrey on May 18, 2002. Donvetis Franklin added an interception in the game as the team recorded four INT's for the first time since that May 18 game at New Jersey. Johnson now has four interceptions on the year, ranking him tied for fifth in the League. He has recorded 17 interceptions for his career.


QB Aaron Garcia Continues to Lead AFL:
Dragons QB Aaron Garcia enters his tenth AFL season as one of the League's top passers. He ranks first all time with 609 touchdowns, third with 29,324 passing yards and fourth with 2,286 completions. On Apr. 18 vs. the Colorado Crush, Garcia became the first professional football player to throw for 600 career TD's. On March 7 vs. San Jose, he went over 28,000 passing yards. On Feb. 8 at Georgia, he recorded his 2100th AFL completion.

Aaron Garcia All-Time Rankings:
Rank TDs Yardage Completions
1st Aaron Garcia614 Andy Kelly30,988 Andy Kelly2, 690
2nd AndyKelley599 Sherdick Bonner30,006 Shedrick Bonner2, 554
3rd Sherdick Bonner 597 Aaron Garcia29,481 Clint Dolezel2,345
4th Aaron Garcia2, 306

Johnson Named Week 13 Defensive Player of the Week:
Corey Johnson (5-9, 190, Georgia), who is in his seventh season, helped lead the New York Dragons (7-5) to a 44-20 victory over the Dallas Desperados (6-6) on Saturday. The former All-Rookie performer led the Dragons with 9.0 total
tackles, one pass breakup and a team record-tying three interceptions (twice, last by MIKE FURREY, May 18, 2002). This marks the first time that the former Bulldog has earned an AFL weekly honor.

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
Week 11 vs. Colorado:
Offensive Player of the Game: Aaron Garcia
Def. Player of the Game: Donvetis Franklin
Ironman of the Game: Lincoln Dupree
Week 12 at Philadelphia:
Defensive Player of the Game: Jermaine Miles
Week 13 at Dallas:
Offensive Player of the Game: Will Holder
Defensive Player of the Game: Corey Johnson

Dragons Transactions:
4/16 – Activated WR/LB Chris Anthony and OL/DL Tim McGill from IR. Placed OS Kevin Swayne on IR.
4/14 – Waived OL/DL John Gillies from practice squad.
4/8 – Placed WR/LB Richmond Flowers on IR. Activated WR/LB Curtis Fagan.
4/7 – Re-signed OS Kevin Swayne.
4/7 – Waived and placed on practice squad DS Jerald Brown and FB/LB Kerry Taylor. Released OL/DL Corey Brannon
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
Chris Anthony - 3 receptions shy of 100 receptions
Rodney Filer - 8 receiving yards shy of 200 yards
11 solo tackles to 100 tackles
Aaron Garcia - 429 passing yards shy of 30,000
Terrance Joseph - 7 total tackles shy of 100 total tackles
Jerry Sharp – 3.0 tackles shy of 100 total tackles
Kevin Swayne - 7 touchdown receptions shy of 100 touchdowns.

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 – 200th total tackle (4-18 vs. Colorado)
50th Pass Break-Up (4-18 vs. Colorado)
Aaron Garcia – 2100th AFL completion (2-8 at Georgia)
600th AFL touchdown (4-18 vs. Colorado)
2,300th AFL Completion (5-1 at Dallas)
Will Holder – 1000th AFL receiving yard (3-20 vs. Columbus)
100th AFL reception (5-1 at Dallas)
Anthony Hutch – 20th AFL sack (4-10 at 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)
Chuck Wesley – Recorded 200th receiving yard (4-24 at Philadelphia)



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 4, 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