Tale of Two Teams
February 6, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
By Curt Hunter - www.firebirds.com
The Indiana Firebirds and the New York Dragons will meet for the third time in as many seasons Sunday afternoon at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. However, the two teams have a history that dates back nearly ten years.
The Firebirds spent eleven years in Albany, New York before relocating to Indianapolis prior to the start of the 2001 season. Likewise, the Dragons franchise spent six seasons as the Iowa Barnstormers before moving to New York and became the "Dragons" at the beginning of the 2001 season. Though to the two teams swapped regions of the country, the rivalry still continues to grow.
Prior to relocating, the Barnstormers had the Firebirds' number, possessing a 5-1 series advantage over the 'Birds. However, the tides have changed since the 2001 season. The Firebirds have won the last two meetings as the Dragons franchise has struggled since the move from Des Moines. In Iowa, the Barnstormers had a franchise record of 61-32 (.656). Since the move to New York, the Dragons currently have a record of 11-19 (.366)
There has been no lack of scoring in the two team's eight meetings over the course of the last decade with each game being closely contested. The climax may have come in a mid-season match up during the 2001 season, which was offensively dominated even for Arena Football. The Firebirds scored a franchise-high 12 touchdowns in an 85-73 victory over the Dragons. The two teams combined for 158 points, which is the third highest point total in League history.
The two teams also combined for the fifth most points in League history when Albany and Iowa combined for 153 points in a slugfest during the 1999 season. It was a game that current Firebirds' kicker Clay Rush will never forget for more than one reason. First off, the offensive onslaught was how Rush was introduced to the Arena Football League, as it was his first game of his AFL career. Secondly, he capped off the game by hitting the game-winning 21-yard field goal as time expired to give Iowa a slim one-point victory.
Apparently, the two offenses did not get their fill as the two teams duplicated their point total tying their own record of 153 combined points scored in a barn burner the following season, with the Dragons pulling out a one-point victory, 77-76. The two teams combined for 46 first downs, which is tied for the fourth most in League history. The Firebirds scored a touchdown in the final seconds of the game, pulling to within one point of Iowa when Firebirds' Head Coach Mike Dailey opted to go for two and the win amongst a hostile crowd in Des Moines. However, quarterback Mike Pawlawski's two-point pass attempt failed and the 'Birds suffered a one-point loss for the second straight year at the hands of Iowa.
In both games the teams combined for a total of 22 touchdowns (11 each), which still stands as the most touchdowns between two teams in a single game.
In eight series meetings the Firebirds have averaged 64 points per game, whereas the Barnstormers/Dragons have averaged 63 points per game. The high-octane offensive output of both teams might not be a result of poor defense, but rather a result of offensive prowess by both offensive units.
Some of the best quarterbacks in the history of the Arena Football League have played in this series. The first quarterback that comes to mind is former NFL MVP Kurt Warner. Warner played for Iowa from 1995-1997, completing 818-of-1,320 pass attempts for 10,486 yards and 183 touchdowns before finding stardom in the NFL. After Warner moved on, the Barnstormers found another quarterback who would eventually break all of Warner's team passing records. Aaron Garcia has spent six seasons at the helm for the organization and currently ranks fourth in the history of the AFL in attempts (2,830), completions (1,737), yards (22,501), and is third in touchdown passes (444).
The Firebirds have had record-setting quarterbacks under center as well. Quarterback Mike Pawlawski is the Firebirds' all-time leader in virtually every passing category. He is the team's all-time leader in attempts (1,912), completions (1,285), yards (15,999), and touchdowns (297). In four career games against Iowa, Pawlawski threw for 1,395 yards and 26 touchdowns. Current Firebirds quarterback Raymond Philyaw is making a name for himself in his third year as the team's starting quarterback. He ranks third in all passing categories in Firebirds' history. In two career games versus the Dragons, Philyaw has completed 55-of-82 pass attempts for 569 yards and 12 passing touchdowns. He has also run for three touchdowns, making him responsible for 15 total touchdowns in two games against New York.
Iowa's Mike Horacek has been on the receiving end of many touchdown passes during the series. Horacek was a member of the Barnstormers from 1997-2000 and caught 25 balls for 433 yards and eight touchdowns in four career games versus Albany. He had one of the best games in the history of the League in the 2000 meeting. In that game, Horacek had 15 catches for a League record 284 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Along with Horacek, Iowa's Kevin Swayne has had numerous memorable games against the Firebirds. In three career games, Swayne recorded 25 catches for 374 yards and eight touchdowns. The Firebirds' answer to these two weapons has been a staple in the Firebirds organization for the past nine years. "Touchdown" Eddie Brown has participated in all but one meeting between the two teams. In eight career games versus the Dragons franchise, Brown has accumulated 57 catches for 714 yards and 19 touchdowns.
If the past is any indication of what we can expect when the Firebirds meet the Dragons in New York, then buckle up and grab your oxygen tank because a shoot-out could be in the works.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 6, 2003
- Gruden Ready to Face Former Team - AFL I
- Gladiators Release OL/DL Ramon Richardson - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Tale of Two Teams - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Firebirds Launch Literacy Program - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Penalties, Game Length Decrease - AFL I
- AFL Rating Ties Best Ever - AFL I
- Cobras Announce More Roster Moves - Carolina Cobras
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