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AFL I Arizona Rattlers

Rattlers Slayed By Dragons, 67-45

April 29, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Arizona Rattlers News Release


HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Aaron Garcia threw for 251 yards and seven touchdowns and Mike Horacek caught seven balls for 123 yards and four scores as the New York Dragons (2-6) downed the Arizona Rattlers (2-7) 67-45 Saturday in front of 9,658 at the Nassau Coliseum.

Though the game featured the return of Garcia - who earned the Offensive Player of the Game award playing in his first contest since suffering a fractured tibia in Week 5 of the 2006 season - turnovers were the story for Arizona. A week after playing a near perfect game in a win at Utah, the Rattlers lost possession of the ball five times against New York with four interceptions and a fumble.

Arizona never led in the contest as the Dragons' DaShane Dennis took the opening kickoff 57 yards for a touchdown. The teams swapped scores the rest of the quarter with a Mike Horacek 31-yard touchdown sandwiched between scores by Kevin McKenzie and Trandon Harvey.

After New York's Chris Anthony opened the second quarter with a 33-yard score that gave the Dragons a 21-14 lead. Arizona attempted to continue the tit-for-tat touchdown pattern when New York forced a fumble by Curtis Fagan - who started in place of Randy Gatewood.

The Dragons would capitalize on the Fagan fumble - as they would on all five of Arizona's turnovers - with a 27-yard Garcia to Horacek connection that gave New York a 28-14 lead.

The Rattlers would later close to within a point at 34-33 early in the third quarter when Sherdrick Bonner found Harvey in the end zone on a 23-yard touchdown.

New York responded with a four-play drive that culminated with a 21-yard Garcia to Horacek touchdown to put the Dragons up 41-33. The Rattlers would follow by driving down to the Dragons 23-yard line before Bonner was intercepted by Billy Parker who returned the turnover 21 yards to the Arizona 16. New York would strike quickly as Garcia once again connected with Horacek in the end zone for a 48-33 Dragons advantage.

The tide finally appeared to turn in Arizona's favor early in the fourth quarter when Tony Lukins - playing in his first game this season - intercepted a Garcia pass in the end zone with the Dragons leading 48-39. However, the momentum shift was short lived as on the second play of the ensuing drive Bonner was hit as he attempted to deliver a pass, which was intercepted by Will Holder who took the turnover to pay dirt and a 54-39 Dragons lead.

Any hopes of a quick-strike comeback were thwarted when on Arizona's next play from scrimmage Bonner's pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage, fluttered in the air and was caught by New York's Chris Anthony. Anthony - who was named the game's Ironman - caught a two-yard touchdown on the following Dragons drive.

New York would intercept Arizona one last time on Parker's second INT of the contest, which soon led to a 27-yard touchdown reception by Jason Willis to put the Dragons up 67-39.

Reserve quarterback Chris Sanders entered the game with 1:42 remaining and led the Rattlers on a four-play drive ending with a 30-yard touchdown reception by Harvey. The Dragons recovered Arizona's ensuing onside kick attempt and ran out the clock.

Bonner completed the night with 290 passing yards and six scores, while Harvey had a game-high 13 receptions and 205 receiving yards. Keyuo Craver led the Rattlers in tackles with six. Wendall Gaines recorded the game's only sack for an eight-yard loss.

The Rattlers return home to Phoenix to face division rival San Jose at the Snake Pit on Saturday.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 29, 2007


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