Sports stats



New York Dragons game notes

March 22, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release


Quick Facts

New York Dragons (5-2) at Columbus Destroyers (1-6)
Date: Saturday ▪ March 26, 2005
Kickoff: 7:00 PM (EST)
Site: Nationwide Arena (17,078)
Officials: Referee: Terry Brown, Umpire: Rick Lowe, Head Linesman: Rusty Baynes, Line Judge: Gary Caveletto, Back Judge: Scott Helverson
TV: FSN Ohio/FSNY: Dan Hoard (play-by-play) and Jim Lachey (analyst)
Radio: 1560 Radio Disney WQEW: Peter Schwartz (play-by-play) and Wayne Morris (analyst)
Series Record: New York leads 6 games to 4
Series Streak: Columbus +1
Last Regular Season Meeting:
Columbus 65, New York 55
Nationwide Arena ▪ Columbus, OH
April 10, 2004
Coaches All-Time Record:
New York ▪ Weylan Harding (All-Time: 5-2, 1st year)
Columbus • Chris Spielman (All-Time: 1-6, 1st year)

DRAGONS 2005 SCHEDULE

DATE OPPONENT TIME RESULT
January 26-28 BYE --- ---
February 6 DALLAS 1:00 W 55-45
February 11 at Las Vegas 10:00 L 41-37
February 19 NASHVILLE 7:00 W 62-49
February 27 ARIZONA 3:00 W 61-37
March 6 at Philadelphia 12:00 W 61-54
March 12 GEORGIA 7:00 W 53-51
March 19 at Austin 8:30 L 57-47
March 26 at Columbus 7:00
April 2 CHICAGO 7:00
April 10 at Los Angeles 3:00
April 15 at Orlando 7:30
April 24 PHILADELPHIA 1:00
April 29 at Dallas 8:30
May 7 COLUMBUS 7:00
May 15 at Tampa Bay 1:00
May 21 COLORADO 7:00

NATIONAL EASTERN STANDINGS

TEAM W - L PCT HOME AWAY DIV CONF
1. DAL 6-2 .750 3-1 3-1 2-1 4-2
2. NYD 5-2 .714 4-0 1-2 2-0 3-1
3. PHI 3-5 .375 2-2 1-3 0-2 2-3
4. CMB 1-6 .143 1-2 0-4 0-1 0-2

Game Preview

It will be a homecoming for Dragons' head coach Weylan Harding. He returns to the franchise in which he ran the defense for the past three seasons. After suffering a loss last week in Austin, the Dragons will attempt to right the ship and get back to the winning side of the scoreboard.

Last Regular Season Meeting Recap

In the second meeting of the 2004 season, Columbus edged out the Dragons 65-55. The Destroyers held the lead for the entire game, which featured the AFL return of OS Kevin Swayne. QB Aaron Garcia connected with Swayne a total of seven times for 107 yards and two scores.

dragons/Columbus Force all-time

DATE H/A SCORE W/L
June 12, 1999 H 49-42 W
April 22, 2000 A 56-35 W
April 27, 2001 H 70-58 W
June 8, 2001 A 51-58 L
April 28, 2002 H 69-54 W
June 8, 2002 A 40-35 L
April 6, 2003 H 46-49 L
May 11, 2003 A 49-30 W
March 20, 2004 H 62-41 W
April 10, 2004 A 65-55 L

Last Week

The Dragons snapped their four-game winning streak by falling to the Austin Wranglers 57-47. New York's fourth quarter comeback attempt was thwarted in the final minutes of the contest after Austin converted a successful onsides kick. QB Aaron Garcia threw two first half interceptions, which allowed the Wranglers to take an early control of the game. OS Mike Horacek led the Dragons with seven receptions for 103 yards and two score.

Next Week

The Dragons return home to take on the Chicago Rush on Saturday April 2nd at the Nassau Coliseum. New York is perfect at home in 2005 with a 4-0 record. Last season, the Rush defeated the Dragons 56-54 on Long Island.

Dragons Practice Schedule

Tuesday (3/22): TBD at Practice Facility
Wednesday (3/23): 10:30-12:30 at Practice Facility
Thursday (3/24): 10:30-12:30 at Practice Facility
Friday (3/25): Travel, Walk Through TBD

To confirm the Dragons' practice schedule or to receive directions, please contact Corey Witt at 516-501-6841.

The IF's

If the Dragons defeat Columbus it would give...

· The Dragons a 6-2 record for the season.
· The Dragons a 2-2 road record.
· The Dragons their 88th regular season victory.
· The team their 34th victory since moving to Long Island in 2001.
· QB Aaron Garcia his 44th victory with the team.
· The Dragons an all-time record of 7-4 versus the Destroyers.

Dragons 2005 Record When/Versus

At the Home 4-0 Opponents Score First 1-0
On the Road 1-2 Ahead at Half 5-1
Friday 0-1 Tied at Half 0-0
Saturday 2-1 Behind at Half 0-1
Sunday 3-0 Ahead after 3 Quarters 4-1
February 3-1 Tied after 3 Quarters 1-0
March 2-2 Behind after 3 Quarters 0-1
April 0-0 Outcome 7 pts or less 0-1
May 0-0 Outcome 3 pts or less 1-0
National Conference 3-1 Outcome 7 pts or more 4-2
Eastern Division 2-0 Outcome 3 pts or more 0-0
Southern Division 1-1 Overtime 0-0
American Conference 2-1 Plus turnover margin 4-1
Central Division 1-0 Even turnover Margin 1-0
Western Division 1-1 Minus Turnover Margin 0-1
Score First 4-2
Notes From the Dragons Lair

COLUMBUS CONNECTIONS:

Dragons' head coach Weylan Harding was the Destroyers defensive coordinator from 2002 to 2004. In 2000, he was the team's defensive backs coach when they were located in Buffalo. Assistant coach Chad L. Lindsey is a native of Columbus, OH. Lindsey along with fellow assistant coach Jerome Brown was on the same coaching staff as Harding when the Destroyers were in Buffalo in 2003. In 2004, DS Chris Angel played his rookie season with Columbus.

The Destroyers have a pair of former Dragons on their roster. DS Donvetis Franklin started his career on Long Island and was a member of the team from 2002 to 2004. OS Damien Groce was a Dragon for the 2002 and 2003 seasons.

WELCOME BACK, WEYLAN:

The big story this week is the return of Dragons' head coach Weylan Harding to Columbus. Before coming to the Dragons, Harding spent the previous three seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Destroyers franchise. In 2003, Harding's defense was the top-ranked unit in the AFL, allowing only 219.1 yards per game.

RETURN ENGAGEMENT:

The Dragons' special teams have been tops in the league when it comes to returning kicks. Through the first seven games of the season, the Dragons have returned seven for touchdowns. In Week Seven against Georgia, WR/DB Corey Johnson returned two for scores. He and WR/DB Will Holder are tied for the league lead in return touchdowns with three, while OS Markeith Cooper has one. The Dragons, as a team, lead the league in this category.

ANGEL IN THE BACKFIELD:

DS Chris Angel isn't letting too many receivers get past him in the backfield. The second year veteran is currently fourth in the league with 50.5 tackles, 45 of which were solo, and tied for tenth with seven passes defensed. In Week Eight at Austin, Angel recorded 8.0 tackles, including a shared tackle for a loss.

QUARTERBACKS GETTING BURNED:

The Dragons' defense has been outstanding early on in 2005. They currently lead the league in team interceptions with 15. In Week Seven against Georgia the defense forced three interceptions, including one in the final seconds of the game. All but two of the Dragons' defensive turnovers have come from interceptions.

Rookie DS Billy Parker is currently second in the league in interceptions with five with WR/DB Corey Johnson right behind him tied for third place with four. DS Chris Angel is tied for 14th with two.

DRAGONS KEEP TAKING, BUT DON'T GIVE:

The Dragons' offense hasn't turned the ball over much this season and the defense has forced seventeen turnovers. That makes for a fire breathin' combination in terms of the giveaway-takeaway differential. Entering Week Nine, the Dragons are tied for the league lead with a plus-nine ratio, 17 to 8.

BILLY THE KID:

DS Billy Parker is certainly making waves throughout the AFL. In his first two AFL games, Parker recorded three interceptions and was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game in both contests. Through Week Eight, the former William & Mary standout is currently second in the AFL with five interceptions and has recorded 43.0 tackles, the most for any rookie and eleventh highest in the league. In Week Eight versus Austin, Parker recorded a game-high 8.5 tackles.

ARENA-BRED COACHES:

The Dragons are one of two teams in the league this season to have their entire coaching staff comprised of former AFL players. They share the distinction with the Philadelphia Soul. In total, the Dragons' coaching staff has a combined 22 years of AFL playing experience and another combined 14-plus years as coaches.

STANDING TALL:

At 5 foot 6 inches tall, OS Markeith Cooper holds the distinction of being the shortest athlete in professional football. Quick on his feet, Cooper's original position was halfback. However, he switched to wide receiver while in his junior season in college.

GARCIA FIRST IN TD'S, SECOND IN COMPLETIONS AND YARDS:

Dragons QB Aaron Garcia enters his 11th AFL season as one of the league's top passers. He remains first all-time with 672 touchdowns and has moved ahead of Arizona Rattlers' QB Sherdrick Bonner to second in all-time passing yards with 32,270. Garcia is currently second all-time with 2,737 pass completions.

The All-Arena QB reached the 650 plateau vs. Arizona on February 27. Last year on April 18 vs. the Colorado Crush, Garcia became the first professional football player to throw for 600 career touchdowns.

AARON GARCIA ALL-TIME RANKINGS:
Rank Touchdowns Yardage Completions
1st Aaron Garcia672 Andy Kelly34,499 Andy Kelly3,083
2nd Andy Kelly669 Aaron Garcia 32,270 Aaron Garcia2,737
3rd Sherdrick Bonner 632 Sherdrick Bonner 31,679 Sherdrick Bonner 2,562
4th Clint Dolezel603 Clint Dolezel 30,186 Clint Dolezel2,530

TOUCHDOWN MACHINE:

Just because QB Aaron Garcia is getting older, doesn't mean he's slowing down. Going back to the 2004 season, Garcia has thrown the second highest amount of the touchdowns in the AFL with 122. He trails only Philadelphia Soul QB Tony Graziani who has 147 over the past two seasons.

Player Touchdowns
Tony Graziani 147
Aaron Garcia 128
Andy Kelly 122
Clint Dolezel 114
John Kaleo 114

COLISEUM MADNESS:

For the second consecutive season the Dragons set a new single-game franchise attendance record. The organization started off the 2005 season on February 6, 2005 with a packed house of 14,925, which is the complete Arena Football capacity for the Nassau Coliseum. Through four home games, the Dragons attendance figure for this season is 48,393.

LIVING YOUNG:

In the off-season the Dragons hired a defensive-minded head coach, who also happens to be the youngest in professional football. Weylan Harding enters the 2005 season at 33 years old, 23 months and four days younger than the second-youngest head coach – New Orleans's Mike Neu. However, Harding does not hold the distinction of being the youngest coach in league history. That honor goes to Kevin Guy of the 2000 New Jersey Red Dogs, who was 27 years old.

TEAM COACH DOB AGE
NYD Harding 1/5/1972 33
NOV Neu 12/9/1970 34
LAA Hodgkiss 10/23/1970 34
GRR McEwen 4/28/1968 36
ORL Gruden 3/4/1967 37

ORIGINAL DRAGONS:

FB/LB Chin Achebe and QB Aaron Garcia are New York Dragons through thick and thin. The duos are the only two that have played with the team for each of its first five seasons on Long Island. Both Achebe and Garcia made the move when the Iowa Barnstormers relocated to New York prior to the 2001 season.

Achebe has spent each of his six AFL seasons with the franchise as he made his league debut as a Barnstormer in 2000. Garcia was traded to Iowa from New Jersey on June 2, 1998 for WR/DB Chris Spencer and OL/DL John Dixon. This is Garcia's 11th AFL season and eighth with the franchise.

OS Kevin Swayne has been the property of the Dragons for all five seasons, however he spent two seasons on the exempt list from 2002-2004. After a successful 2001 campaign, he was signed by the NFL's New York Jets and stayed there for three seasons. He returned to the Dragons mid-way through the 2004 season. Swayne also suited up for the Barnstormers from 1998-1999.

WR/LB Mike Horacek is the only other player to have played for both the Barnstormers and the Dragons. From 1997 to 2000, Horacek split time as a WR/DB and an OS with Iowa. He was the AFL's Offensive Player of the Year in 2000, his last with the team until he was selected in 2004 Dispersal Draft. The 2005 season will be his first with the Dragons, but fifth with the franchise.

DEFENSE GOT IT DONE VS. ARIZONA:

The Dragons' defense tied an AFL record in their game versus the Arizona Rattlers by recording six interceptions. WR/DB Corey Johnson hauled in a pair in the first half while DS Chris Angel, WR/LB Mike Horacek, DS Billy Parker and FB/LB Josh White all added one a piece. The defense recorded eight defensive stops including a turnover on downs on the Rattlers' first drive of the game.

IRON MIKE HORACEK:

Following his three touchdown performance versus the Arizona Ratters in Week Five, Dragons WR/LB Mike Horacek was named the US Army Ironman of the Week. Offensively, Horacek recorded five receptions for 50 yards and two touchdowns. However, his biggest contribution came on defense when he intercepted a fourth quarter pass from Rattlers' QB Sherdrick Bonner and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown. The play sealed the win for the Dragons.

JOHNSON NAMED IRONMAN OF THE WEEK:

Following his standout performance in the Dragons' 53-51 victory over the Georgia Force on March 12, WR/DB Corey Johnson was named the Week Seven US Army Ironman of the Week. Johnson had three touchdowns along with an interception and played in every offensive and defensive series.

Statistically, Johnson returned two kicks for scores from 55 and 57 yards, respectively, and caught another for a total of three. Johnson was also a playmaker defensively, by recording 4.0 tackles with one interception. He finished with game-high 258 total yards.

Players to Watch

THREE FIRE BREATHIN' DRAGONS:

QB Aaron Garcia: One of the most prolific passers in the history of the AFL always gives his team a chance to win. In a loss versus Austin in Week Eight, Garcia threw for his first 300-yard game by recording 352 passing yards. He's closing in on the 700 touchdown plateau as he is only 28 away.

OS Mike Horacek: Horacek is back at OS, the position he played at the last four seasons before coming to the Dragons. Anytime he's on the field, Horacek is thought of as a threat because he can score from anywhere on it. In Week Six he scored four touchdowns and was named the Offensive Player of the Game against Philadelphia. In Week Five, Horacek was honored as the Ironman of the Week.

DS Billy Parker: Parker might be an AFL rookie, but he's playing like one of the top defensive specialists in the league. Parker has been a bright spot in the Dragons' defense with five interceptions, second highest in the league. He leads all rookies with 43.0 tackles.
Inside the Headset

Every Monday, Dragons head coach Weylan Harding lets the fans get inside his headset in an open question and answer forum. Here's a summary of this week's journal.

Coach, what are your feelings about going back to Columbus and playing your old team this week?

Harding: This game has no more emotional incentive than any other game we play. The requirements for standard of play do not differ from week to week; we need to play well every week. This game is special because of Columbus being in our division and us needing to get back to winning ways.

Where do Corey Johnson and Will Holder rank as the best one-two punch at WR/DB in the AFL?

Harding: They are up there among the league's best but there are a number of other
WR/DB combinations that warrant just as much attention.

Coach, do you get the urge to put on the pads and take the field defensively?

Harding: All the time! The mind is willing but the body is not able.

With the Columbus Destroyers struggling over the past few weeks, are they a dangerous team like Austin was last week?

Harding: They are most certainly just as dangerous as Austin. They are a gifted team that has not caught many breaks this season. We must be prepared to match their emotion and play through whatever the circumstances might be. The intensity of this game will be ten times of what it was versus Austin because of the divisional implications. We must be ready for anything.

For a full length copy of Inside the Headset, please contact Corey Witt or see a Dragons Media Relations Assistant.

Game Award Winners

Week 2:
Offensive POG: WR/LB Mike Horacek
US Army Ironman: WR/LB Mike Horacek
ADT Defensive POG: DS Billy Parker
Week 3:
ADT Defensive POG: DS Billy Parker
Week 4:
Offensive POG: OS Kevin Swayne
US Army Ironman: FB/LB Josh White
ADT Defensive POG: WR/LB Mike Horacek
Week 5:
Offensive POG: OS Kevin Swayne
US Army Ironman: WR/LB Mike Horacek
ADT Defensive POG: WR/DB Corey Johnson
Week 6:
Offensive POG: OS Mike Horacek
ADT Defensive POG: DS Chris Angel
Week 7:
US Army Ironman: WR/DB Corey Johnson
ADT Defensive POG: DS Chris Angel

Weekly Award Winners

Week 5:
US Army Ironman: WR/LB Mike Horacek
Week 7:
US Army Ironman: WR/DB Corey Johnson

Dragons Transactions

3/17/05: Activated WR/DB DaShane Dennis from the Injured Reserve list. Placed OL/DL John Thomas on the Injured Reserve list.
3/10/05: Placed QB Ronnie Gordon on the Injured Reserve list. Activated FB/LB Chin Achebe off the Injured Reserve list.
3/8/05: Signed QB Ronnie Gordon from the Practice Squad.
3/7/05: Activated and waived WR/DB Lamont Webb from the Injured Reserve list. Placed OS Kevin Swayne on the Injured Reserve list.
2/22/05: Signed OL/DL Chad Pegues. Released OL/DL Will Burnett.
2/17/05: Activated OS Kevin Swayne from the Injured Reserve list. Placed WR/DB DaShane Dennis on the Injured Reserve list.
2/16/05: Signed WR/LB Sir Mawn Wilson. Placed FB/LB Chin Achebe on the Injured Reserve list.
2/15/05: Announced DS Chuck Wesley was signed off the Practice Squad by Grand Rapids.
2/8/05: Signed DS Chuck Wesley to the practice squad.
2/05/05: Placed OS Kevin Swayne on the Injured Reserve list.
2/01/05: Signed OL/DL Ufuoma Pela to the Practice Squad.
1/31/05: Signed WR/LB Latrez Harrison to the Practice Squad.
1/28/05: Signed QB Ronnie Gordon to the Practice Squad.
1/27/05: Waived FB/LB Jeremiah Pharms from the Practice Squad.
1/26/05: Signed WR/DB Yuichi Watanabe to the International Practice Squad.
1/25/05: Awarded FB/LB Jamaal Cherry off waivers. Placed OL/DL Clyde Sanders on the Injured Reserve list. Signed FB/LB Jeremiah Pharms to the Practice Squad.
1/24/05: Placed WR/DB Lamont Webb on the Injured Reserve list.
1/23/05: Waived DS Jerald Brown.
1/22/05: Waived OL/DL Andre Arnold, OL/DL David Ashkinaz, QB Kane Claunch, WR/DB Scott Cloman, DS Nate Coggins, QB Ronnie Gordon, WR/LB Latrez Harrison, OL/DL Kerry Linnear, OL/DL John McDermott, FB/LB Chris McIver and OL/DL Charles Missant.
1/21/05: Signed OL/DL Kerry Linnear, OL/DL Steve Scifres and WR/DB Lamont Webb.
1/20/05: Waived WR/DB Kenny Johnson and OL/DL Ufuoma Pela.
1/19/05: Signed WR/DB Kenny Johnson. Waived FB/LB Laurence Nolen.
1/18/05: Signed WR/DB Mutsumi Takahashi to the International Practice Squad.
1/13/05: Signed QB Ronnie Gordon, OL/DL Joe Laudano and FB/LB Chris McIver.
1/12/05: Signed OL/DL Charles Missant.
1/11/05: Signed OS Markeith Cooper. Waived OL/DL Jerry Turner.
1/09/05: Waived DS John Barnes, FB/LB Rashon Burns and FB/LB Derric Coackley.
1/05/05: Signed WR/DB Corey Johnson.
1/04/05: Placed WR/DB Lincoln Dupree and OL/DL Eric England on the Refused-to-Report list.

MILESTONES WITHIN REACH

Billy Parker 7.0 tackles shy of 50.0 for his career
Stacey Evans 2.5 tackles shy of 100.0 for his career
Will Holder 4 total touchdowns shy of 50 for his career
Mike Horacek 111 receiving yards shy of 7,000 for his career
Mike Horacek 10.5 tackles shy of 100.0 for his career
Chad Pegues 9.0 shy of 50.0 for his career
Kevin Swayne 43 receiving yards shy of 5,000 for his career

MILESTONES REACHED in 2005

Weylan Harding Recorded his 1st win as a head coach vs. Dallas (2/6)
Stacey Evans Played in his 60th AFL game vs. Dallas (2/6)
Corey Johnson Recorded his 250th career tackle vs. Dallas (2/6)
Billy Parker Played in his 1st AFL game vs. Dallas (2/6)
Billy Parker Recorded his 1st AFL interception vs. Dallas (2/6)
Joe Laudano Played in his 1st AFL game vs. Dallas (2/6)
Jamaal Cherry Played in his 1st AFL game at Las Vegas (2/11)
Kevin Swayne Recorded his 5,000 career receiving yard vs. Nashville (2/19)
Kevin Swayne Recorded his 100th AFL touchdown vs. Nashville (2/19)
Chris Angel Recorded his 1st career interception vs. Arizona (2/27)
Aaron Garcia Recorded his 650th passing touchdown of his career vs. Arizona (2/27)
Corey Johnson Recorded his 20th career interception vs. Arizona (2/27)
Josh White Recorded his 1st career interception vs. Arizona (2/27)
Aaron Garcia Recorded his 700th career touchdown vs. Philadelphia (3/6)
Kevin Clemens Rushed for his 100th career yard vs. Philadelphia (3/6)
Mike Horacek Recorded his 150th AFL touchdown vs. Philadelphia (3/6)
Josh White Rushed for his 100th career yard vs. Philadelphia (3/6)
Chris Anthony Registered his 47th career receiving yard vs. Georgia (3/12)
Jamaal Cherry Recorded his 1st career solo tackle vs. Georgia (3/12)
Jamaal Cherry Recorded his 1st career sack vs. Georgia (3/12)
Mike Horacek Recorded his 150th career receiving touchdowns vs. Georgia (3/12)
Joe Laudano Recorded his 1st career solo tackle vs. Georgia (3/12)
Markeith Cooper Recorded his 2,000th receiving yard at Austin (3/19)
DaShane Dennis Recorded his 1st career fumble recovery at Austin (3/19)
DaShane Dennis Recorded his 1st career touchdown (defense) at Austin (3/19)
Aaron Garcia Recorded his 4,000th pass completion at Austin (3/19)
Jermaine Miles Recorded his 50th career tackle at Austin (3/19

• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 22, 2005


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