Turnovers Costly in Soul's Defeat of the Dragons
April 1, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons News Release
The New York Dragons fell behind as many as 20 points, fighting back to get within two before ultimately falling to the Philadelphia Soul 65-60 at the Nassau Coliseum, Sunday afternoon.
The key to the game was the Dragons' five turnovers - three by fumble and two via interceptions. QB Rohan Davey turned the ball over four times - twice in the air and on the ground - while DB Will Holder lost the handle on one kickoff return. DB Eddie Moten returned one interception for a 50-yard touchdown, early in the second quarter.
"We have to take care of the football," said Head Coach Weylan Harding "You can't survive, turning the ball over and not taking care of it the way we did."
Despite the turnovers, Davey had a strong offensive game, throwing for 375 yards and eight touchdowns. Soul QB Tony Graziani threw for six touchdowns and 297 yards.
"It's a learning process," said Harding. The fact that we were able to put up the points that we did against a strong defensive team, shows that we're making a progression. We believe in Davey and we're behind him."
For the Soul, wide receivers Larry Brackins, Charles Pauley and Sean Scott each completed two touchdown receptions, while Pauley added a late 57-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter to increase the Soul's lead to 17.
On the Dragons side, wide receivers Mike Horacek and Kevin Swayne each hauled in three touchdowns, while WR/DB Chris Anthony caught two touchdown receptions. Horacek led the way with 188 yards.
The Dragons, once again, showed that they had some fight despite being down. After they're come-from-behind win against Tampa Bay last week, the Dragons looked poised for another comeback.
With just over two minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Dragons made it a 42-44 game when Davey threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Swayne. The Soul scored three of the next four touchdowns, to put the game out of reach.
The Dragons got off to a poor start. On the opening play, Davey had the ball stripped. DL Felipe Claybrooks recovered the ball and took it in for the opening score.
On the next drive, Davey got the Dragons right back with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Swayne.
After one quarter the Dragons trailed 20-14.
In the second quarter the Soul increased their lead to 16. Two touchdown receptions, an interception return and a field goal gave Philadelphia 24 points in the quarter. Davey countered with touchdown receptions to Horacek and Anthony in the quarter as the Soul took a 44-28 lead into the second half.
The third quarter saw the Dragons get within two.
Following an interception by Dragons DB Ifeanyi Ohalete to open the second half, Davey threw for a 17-yard touchdown to Horacek.
Later in the quarter, Davey floated a pass to Swayne for a two-yard touchdown reception to make it a two-point game.
That was as close as the Dragons would get. A couple of late scores by the Dragons pulled them within five as time ran out.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 1, 2007
- Blaze maintain division lead with 57-47 victory in Vegas - Utah Blaze
- Soul escape New York with win, 65-60 - Philadelphia Soul
- Crush win 55-48 in dramatic last minute comeback over Nashville - Colorado Crush
- Gladiators fall to Utah at home - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Kats lose Heartbreaker to Divison Rival Crush 55-48 - Nashville Kats
- Turnovers Costly in Soul's Defeat of the Dragons - New York Dragons
- D'Orazio, Sippio lead Rush to 66-31 rout of L.A. - Chicago Rush
- Wranglers lose to Desperados in final minute, 68-64 - Austin Wranglers
- SaberCats Down Storm 69-49 - San Jose SaberCats
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