Predators take down Dragons, 43-26

Published on May 16, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Austin Wranglers News Release


Austin, TX—Playoff stakes were alive and revenge was on the mind of the Orlando Predators who felt they got snubbed in at home in the Austin Wranglers inaugural game. This time, Orlando staked its claim with a commanding 43-26 win in front of a record crowd, 13, 831, at the Frank Erwin Center while Austin looks to regroup in order to make the post season.

With a 7-6 record, every game from here on out is nearly a must win for the Predators. Former Georgia Tech star quarterback and Orlando rookie Joe Hamilton showcased his skills all day long as he displayed his mobility in the pocket. From the 2 yard-line, Hamilton handed the ball off to WR/LB Cory Fleming for the touchdown plunge. Orlando took the early lead 7-0.

Austin came out of the gates looking a little sluggish. QB John Kaleo found WR/DB Charlie Davidson twice in a row, but was then sacked by Predator FB/LB Rupert Grant. Facing a fourth and eight, Austin elected to kick a field goal. K Tony Dodson's kick was up and good. Orlando led 7-3 midway through the first.

Starting from their own 19 yard line, Hamilton again found similar success to their opening possession. After completions to former NFL player Fleming and to OS Anthony Bright, the Austin defense began to step it up. As they were doing so however, there came the yellow hankies. A defensive holding call on DS Brent Browner and a personal foul 15 yard facemask call on OL/DL Ramon Richardson aided a drive that could have been stopped. On fourth down at the Wrangler six, Predator K Jay Taylor tacked on three more, making it 10-3 Orlando at the end of the opening quarter.

Orlando DS Damon Mason read the eyes of Kaleo and stepped in front of a pass intended for WR/LB Darrin Chiaverini. Orlando regained possession from their own 23 yard line.

Once again, another big penalty had hurt the Wranglers. Hamilton completed a pass to WR/DB Bret Cooper. After letting the ball go, Hamilton was hit late, drawing a roughing the passer penalty and half the distance to the goal. Luckily the Predators had a little trouble handling the pill. Having four fumbles in the first half, the one that cost the most was recovered by Wrangler DS Cedric Walker inside the 5 yard line.

Chiaverini got thrown to again and again on Austin's next possession. Hauling in two balls, and having two thrown over his head, the drive stalled and Austin had to settle for another field goal. Dodson's kick was up and good, and the Wranglers trimmed the lead to 10-6 in the middle of the second.

The Predators first play was a fumble, but Hamilton was the only one who knew as he fell on the football. Upon marching down the field, Hamilton avoided the oncoming rush and threw a touch pass over the middle to WR/DB Bret Cooper for his first touchdown catch on the day. Orlando pushed the margin to two possessions, leading 17-6.

Feeling as if the game was slipping away, Kaleo hooked up with veteran WR/LB Darryl Hammond on a spectacular diving catch. Two more throws went to the familiar Hammond before Kaleo lobbed one to OL/DL Jeremy Beutler for the Wranglers first touchdown. With just 20 seconds left in the half, Orlando led 17-13.

Those 20 seconds were oh so valuable to the high octane offense of Orlando. On the first play, Hamilton found Bright on a deep post pattern for a 43 yard gain and down to the Wrangler 1. Two plays later, Hamilton ran a play-action bootleg and dove in for the score right before half. Orlando was led it 24-13 going into the half.

Even after a disappointing start to one of the most important games of the season, Austin's guns did not come out a blazin' to start the third quarter. The Wranglers attempted a field goal that was just wide right.

Fumblitis must have been in the food the Predators ate over the weekend. Again, on their first play from scrimmage, Hamilton mishandled the snap and Hammond's awareness landed him on the football, giving the Wranglers a crucial chance to capitalize and trim the lead.

FB/LB Dane Krager did just that as he took the dive play and plunged his way into the endzone. The PAT was blocked and Austin trailed 19-24.

Hamilton's legs were the answer to relatively blanketing coverage by the Wrangler secondary. When he could not find his target, the jitterbug quarterback made plays on his own. After scrambling free on a broken play and giving the Predators a first down, Hamilton ran a designed QB draw that gave him his second rushing touchdown on the day. Orlando took its two score lead into the fourth quarter, leading 31-19.

If it was time to make a statement and close out the final home game with a bang, now was the time to do it. However, today was just not the Wranglers day.

The offense could not put anything together and turned the ball over on downs. Just when things looked dismal, they got worse. On Orlando's first play, Hamilton split the defense in finding Fleming. He waltzed in the end zone untouched and gave Orlando its largest margin of the day. It was 38-19 with 11:50 left in the game.

On the ensuing kickoff, Davidson fielded the kick off the net and was popped by Predator OL/DL EJ Burt. The ball squirted all the way back into their own end zone and was ruled out of bounds resulting in a safety and possession of the ball in Orlando's favor. Orlando now pushed the lead to 40-19.

The Predators' offense fell stagnant around midfield. A big hit by DS Cedric Walker in the backfield held the Orlando onrush at bay. With little under six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, brother of NFL Coach Jon Gruden and Predator Head Coach Jay Gruden decided to put three more on the board. Jay Taylor notched his second field goal on the day and gave Orlando a 24 point advantage.

Austin was trying to salvage anything they could by tacking on a few more points. After a long draught, Kaleo hooked up with Chiaverini one last time before the clocks hit zero. With a disappointing loss at home, this may be the final time the people of Austin get to see their Wranglers until next season.

The Orlando victory gives the Predators an AFL record 13th consecutive non losing season and a legitimate shot at reaching the playoffs. The Austin Wranglers are still likely to be playoff bound at 8-6 but having any of those games at home looks slim.

Both teams have two games remaining on their schedules. Orlando hosts New York, while Austin has back to back road games ahead of them. Next week the Wranglers travel to Georgia to take on the Force, a team that is 5-9 and out of contention for a playoff bid.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 16, 2004


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