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New York Dragons game notes

May 3, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release


New York Dragons (9-5)
vs. Georgia (8-6)

Date: Saturday ▪ May 6, 2006
Kickoff: 7:00 PM (EST)
Site: Nassau Coliseum (11,985)

TV: SNY: (play-by-play) Peter Schwartz and Wayne Morris (analyst)
Radio: WNYG 1440 AM: (play-by-play) Joe Buono and Juston Wood (analyst).
Sirius Satellite Radio Ch. 110

Regular Season Series Record: (3-0)
Regular Season Series Streak: +3
Last Regular Season Meeting:
New York 53, Georgia 51
Nassau Coliseum ▪ Hempstead, NY (11,985)

Coaches Record:
Dragons ▪ Weylan Harding (18-11, 2nd year)
Force ▪ Doug Plank (19-11, 2nd year)

Officials: Referee: Bill McCabe (48), Umpire: Rick Lowe (59), Head Linesman: Rod Pearson (64), Line Judge: Art Lucky (63), Back Judge: Scott Helverson (36).

DRAGONS - FORCE ALL-TIME
DATE H/A SCORE
April 12, 2003* A 34-27
February 8, 2004* A 54-28
March 12, 2005* H 53-51
* Denotes Dragons win

ABOUT THE GAME
The Dragons have another opportunity to clinch a playoff berth in Week 15 when they take on the Georgia Force Saturday night. A win for the Dragons would also guarantee a home game in the first round of the playoffs, securing their number one wild card seed that they have held for the last two weeks. The Dragons have improved their record to 9-5 this season and are now 4-3 at home. Georgia is currently 8-6 this season and are 4-3 on the road. The Dragons lead the all-time series 3-0 over the Force. The game will take place at the Nassau Coliseum.

LAST WEEK'S RECAP
In Week 14, the Dragons were victorious in a crucial division match up against the Philadelphia Soul. Although the Dragons led by 19 at the half, the game came down to the final seconds. The Soul had possession of the ball and were stopped by Chris Anthony, Angel Estrada and the finally by Andrew Tippins to secure the win as time expired. The victory did not secure a playoff spot for the Dragons but it was crucial to keep them in the race. A win by more than 17 points or a Georgia loss would have secured a playoff berth.

NEXT WEEK'S PREVIEW
The Dragons hit the road in Week 16 for the final regular season game of the season. The Dragons will be looking for revenge after being defeated by the Desperados in Week 11. The Dragons are currently 5-2 on the road.

DRAGONS' WEEK 15 PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Wednesday (5/3): 12:00-2:00 at Nassau Coliseum
Thursday (5/4): 12:00-2:00 at Nassau Coliseum
Friday (5/5): 11:00 Walk Through at Nassau Coliseum

To confirm the Dragons' practice schedule/time or to receive directions, please contact Kerri Griesbeck at 516-501-6889.

IF THE DRAGONS WIN, IT WOULD GIVE...
- The team a 10-5 record for the season and a 5-3 home record.
- The Dragons their 103rd regular season victory and their 109th of all-time.
- The team their 47th victory since moving to Long Island in 2001.
- The Dragons a regular season and all-time record of 4-0 versus Georgia.

DRAGONS CONTINUE HOME
The Dragons continue at home in Week 15 for their last home game of the regular season. A win for the Dragons will complete and improve their regular season home record to 5-3. A Dragons victory will also clinch a playoff berth as the number one wild card which means another home game at the Coliseum.

DEFENDING THE EAST
The Dragons are currently 2-3 in the Division after Week 14's win over Philadelphia, Week 12's win over Columbus, and their previous losses to Philadelphia in Week Three, Columbus in Week Six and Dallas in Week Eleven. The Dragons have one final division matchup remaining when they face Dallas next week, in Week 16. Last season, the Dragons won the Eastern Division for the third consecutive season (2003-2005). The Dragons swept all of their Eastern foes (Columbus, Dallas and Philadelphia) with a perfect 6-0 record in divisional play. Dallas currently leads the division this year with a 12-2 record so far this season.

HORACEK NAMED IRONMAN OF THE WEEK
WR/LB Mike Horacek receives AFL Ironman of the Week for his performance in Week 14's victory over the Philadelphia Soul. In the game, Horacek recorded four receptions for 72 yards and two touchdowns along with a reception for a two-point conversion. On defense, Horacek recorded 4.0 tackles, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup. His first touchdown reception of the game marked his 200th career touchdown reception, making him only the sixth player in the league to reach 200 touchdowns receptions. He's now also one of only 11 players in the league's history to hit 200 total touchdowns where he totals 206. The game was Horacek's 96th career game in the AFL.This season, Horacek has recorded 113 receptions for 1570 yards and 34 touchdowns. On defense he has recorded 25.0 total tackles, one interception for five yards, six break ups and two fumble recoveries.

SWAYNE NAMED OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
OS Kevin Swayne was named Offensive Player of the Game for his efforts in Week 14's victory over the Philadelphia Soul. In the game he recorded eight receptions for 66 yards and five touchdowns. He also recorded one kickoff return for 14 yards. Each game, Swayne continues to dominate on offense along with Horacek and keep the Dragons in the playoff race.

ESTRADA RECEIVES DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
WR/DB Angel Estrada received Defensive Player of the Game for the second time in Week 14's victory over the Soul. In the game, Estrada led the defense with 7.0 tackles and also added one pass breakup. Estrada also received Defensive Player of the Game in Week Nine's victory over Kansas City and Offensive Player of the Game in Week Victory victory.

BROWDER KEEPS SHINING AS STARTING QB
QB Nick Browder continues to march the Dragons to their shot at the playoffs after another win in Week 14 versus Philadelphia. The Dragons are now 6-2 with Browder as quarterback and hope to improve that record even further to 8-2 over the next two weeks. In eight games at quarterback, Browder has completed 148 of 336 passes for 1846 yards and 39 touchdowns. He also recorded 16 rushes for 47 yards and two touchdowns.

Quarterback Nick Browder received Offensive Player of the Game for Week 13's victory over the Los Angeles Avengers. In the game, Browder completed 29 of 41 passes for 346 yards and seven touchdowns.

WEEK THIRTEEN AFL AWARD CANDIDATES
In Week 13 vs. Los Angeles, the AFL named three New York Dragons candidates for awards. WR/DB DaShane Dennis was a nominee for the AFL Ironman of the Week. Dennis recorded five receptions for 43 yards on offense. On defense he recorded 3.0 tackles and one interception for 41 yards and a touchdown. QB Nick Browder was a nominee for Offensive Player of the Week, completing 29 of 41 passes for 346 yards and 7 touchdowns. He also recorded one rush for a touchdown. OL/DL Andrew Tippins was a nominee for Defensive Player of the Week, recording 2.5 touchdowns, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery returned for 48 yards and a touchdown.

BLUE RECEIVES AFL IRONMAN OF THE WEEK
In his rookie year and first week back from the injured reserve, FB/LB Bruce Blue was named Ironman of the Game and AFL Ironman of the week for his Week Ten performance vs. the Grand Rapids Rampage. In the game, he recorded 2.0 tackles including a sack for a safety, and added two rushes for 28 yards and two touchdowns. Blue is currently the youngest player in the AFL and therefore youngest to receive this award.


GARCIA OUT FOR THE SEASON
In Week Five versus the Orlando Predators, QB Aaron Garcia suffered a fractured tibia in the third quarter. He underwent successful surgery and will be out for the season.

WOOD OUT FOR THE SEASON
In Week Seven vs. the Austin Wranglers, quarterback Juston Wood suffered a dislocated kneecap in the first quarter, the second Dragons quarterback to be injured within a two-week period following Garcia's injury in Week Five. Wood underwent successful surgery and will be out for the rest of the season.

OBERT HOLDS NEW DRAGONS RECORD
Obert now holds a new Dragons record making 29 consecutive PAT kicks before ending his streak in Week Eight vs. Tampa Bay. In the league he is in the top 7 of all kickers in the last 3 seasons for most consecutive PAT kicks.

INSIDE THE HEADSET:
Every week, Dragons head coach Weylan Harding lets the fans get inside his headset in an open question and answer forum. Here's this week's journal.

Coach, Tell me what you are most proud of this season as far as how the Dragons have come along over the last 14 weeks.
WH: I am most proud of how this team has responded to controversy. Whether it be injuries or what have you, this team has responded. We knew we were a relatively young group coming into the season. Their continued maturity has been remarkable to date. We have room to improve and we are getting better.

Although you haven't locked a playoff berth yet, is it important to you to get the chance to play the first round at home or would it not matter since your team has an impressive road record this season? Is there any strategy or thought you have been putting into this or do you not think about this as a coach?
WH: We would love to play at home if it works out that way. The chance to play at home is a sidebar to our true focus of winning one game at a time. When a playoff spot is secured then we can entertain the various scenarios facing us. Until that moment we will continue to keep our eyes and noses straight forward. I refuse to approach it any other way!

Which Dragon/Dragons impressed you most with their performance this weekend in your victory over Philly?
WH: It was a total team effort all the way. I know it may sound like coach speak but it is true. I cannot fairly single any one person out when they all
contributed to this win. We, as a family impressed me most in this game.

Alicia Hart: Which Georgia Force player will you be keeping an eye on for the game this weekend? Which Dragon do you think can contain this player?
WH: Their team is equaly talented throughout the roster. They mirror us in the fact they have so many weapons. We cannot focus on one guy in particular because the others are extremely dangerous. It will take a team effort to defend against this crew.

Steve, Valley Stream: First of all I would like to commend you on a great job of coaching and keeping the team right in the playoff picture, in spite of all the injuries. Second I'd like to ask you, how come the team seems to play better on the road 5-2 as compared to 4-3 at home? I'm at the games with my sons and there is plenty of support. Do you approach anything differently on the road?
WH: I wish I had the time to sit with you and take you thru every film so I could answer your question thoroughly. This forum is to limited to truely give you an appropriate response. There is no difference in preparation or focus for either a home or away game. We just have not enjoyed the same amount of success this year in our own digs. Being that it is a one game difference between our road and home record it seems we have been somewhat consistent. It is always important to us to perform well at home.

James, Rocky Point: What will you do to keep the intensity at this level for the remaining two weeks of the regular season? What will be your message to your team this week?
WH: It's win or go home! After all the adversity we have faced to get to this point, you have to be motivated. How sweet is it to have overcome our circumstances and succeed because of our collective will? This story is not over but instead has just begun! One family, One love, One goal!

NY-GEO CONNECTIONS:
Dragons QB Sam Clemons spent the first eight weeks of the 2006 season with the Georgia Force, where he recorded 1 rush for 2 yards.

Dragons OL/DL Stacy Evans came to the Dragons in the 2005 season after spending two seasons with the Georgia Force. In 2004, Evans caught 4 passes for 41 yards and a touchdown. On defense he recorded 27 tackles and three sacks.

Georgia QB Matt Nagy played 9 games for the Dragons in 2002, where he threw for 27 touchdowns and recorded a QB rating of 106.53.

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LIVING YOUNG:
The Dragons are led by one of the great defensive coaches in the AFL and he also happens to be the youngest in professional football. Weylan Harding enters the 2006 season at 34 years old -- 14 months and 13 days younger than the second-youngest head coach - Los Angeles' Ed Hodgekiss. However, Harding does not hold the distinction of being the youngest young 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 34
LAA Hodgkiss 10/23/1970 35
PHI Munsey 8/19/68 37

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ARENA-BRED COACHES
The Dragons are the only team in the league to have their entire coaching staff comprised of former AFL players. In total, the Dragons' coaching staff has a combined 22 years of AFL playing experience and another combined 18-plus years as coaches.

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SWITCHING POSITIONS
DaShane Dennis and Jamaal Cherry have switched positions from 2005 and will now line up at DS and OL/DL, respectively. Bruce Blue began training camp as a lineman and has since converted to FB/LB. Although Cherry was listed at FB/LB last season, he played primarily as a defensive lineman in his rookie season.

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GARCIA AN ALL-TIME GREAT
It was already known by most, but QB Aaron Garcia is now enshrined as one of the top-20 all-time great players in AFL history. During training camp, the league came out with their top-20 players from the first 20 years of the AFL. Garcia ranked 11th, one spot ahead of fellow former Iowa Barnstormer QB Kurt Warner. After Warner left the franchise, Garcia supplanted him as the franchise's star quarterback and the Dragons - or Barnstormers - have never looked back.

ORIGINAL DRAGONS

QB Aaron Garcia is a New York Dragon through thick and thin. He is the only player to be a part of the team for each of its first five seasons on Long Island. Garcia made the move when the Iowa Barnstormers relocated to New York prior to the 2001 season. 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 12th AFL season and ninth with the franchise.

OS Kevin Swayne has been the property of the Dragons for all six 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 2006 season is his second with the Dragons, but sixth with the franchise.

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RETURNING DRAGONS

The Dragons have 11 players on their roster from their final 2005 roster. QB Aaron Garcia is the longest tenured Dragon at eight seasons. The complete list includes: WR/LB Chris Anthony, OL/DL Jamaal Cherry, DS DaShane Dennis, WR/DB Angel Estrada, OL/DL Stacy Evans, WR/LB Mike Horacek, WR/DB Will Holder, OL/DL Joe Laudano, OL/DL Marcus "Snowball" Owen, OL/DL Steve Scifres and OS Kevin Swayne along with Garcia.

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DRAGONS WITH af2 EXPERIENCE

The Dragons have 10 players on their roster who have played in af2 at one point in their career. The list includes: WR/LB Chris Anthony, WR/LB Maurice Brown, OL/DL Jamaal Cherry, WR/DB DaShane Dennis, OL/DL Jon Hall, OL/DL Joe Laudano, FB/LB Richard McCleskey, K Jesse Obert, DS Dahnel Singfield, OL/DL Andrew Tippins, OL/DL Paul White and QB Juston Wood.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 3, 2006


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