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    • Controversial Call Ends New York's Season


    Photo Courtesy of NewYorkDragons.Com


    (July 5) The New York Dragons' improbable run in the AFL Playoffs ended with a disappointing 49-48 loss to the Philadelphia Soul, Saturday night in the Divisional Round, following an unfavorable call. A tight game had the tide turn when the Soul, who was up 43-41 late in the fourth quarter, lost the ball on a fumble that was forced by Antonio Ficklin and recovered by Monty Montgomery. The Dragons then finished off a five-play drive with a two-yard WR Keron Henry touchdown run for a 48-43 Dragons lead with 57 seconds left in the fourth quarter. On the final drive of the game, the Soul found the end zone with no time left on a 28-yard pass to WR Larry Brackins, who was tackled near the goal line. After an extended review, it was ruled that Brackins had crossed the goal line before being taken down, advancing Philadelphia to move into the National Conference Playoff round.

    "It hurts," said head coach Weylan Harding. "It all came down to a replay when I feel we had the game in hand. Our guys fought and had a chance to pull it out at the end. They played hard and they came together when no one else thought they would. We got to the playoffs and had a great effort against Dallas and tonight. It just wasn't for us. I'm always proud of the way the team plays. There are no words for what I'm feeling right now."

    The Dragons trailed 16-6 after the first quarter, but took the lead 25-23 at the half, courtesy of a late second quarter 44-yard field goal by K Steve Azar. The Dragons then fell behind 30-25 heading into the final quarter before setting up the exciting final 15 minutes.

    QB Aaron Garcia was strong again for the second week in a row, having gone 34-of-45 for 337 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. WR Kevin Swayne caught all five touchdown receptions, hauling in 14 balls for 166 yards.

    The Dragons defense forced three turnovers, including two fumbles and an interception. DB Billy Parker caught his ninth interception of the season, while defensive backs John Walker and Montgomery recovered fumbles forced by Antonio Ficklin and Jonathan Hamm.

    Dragons Leaders
    PASSING: Aaron Garcia - 34/45, 337 yds, 5 TDs
    RECEIVING: Kevin Swayne - 14 rec, 166 yds, 5 TD
    DEFENSIVE: Billy Parker - 5 tackles, 1 Interception



    Wild Card - Dragons 77 Dallas 63


    Photo Courtesy of NewYorkDragons.Com


    (June 27) It took three tries, but the New York Dragons finally figured out how to defeat the Dallas Desperados in 2008. Behind nine QB Aaron Garcia touchdowns and two on-side kick recoveries the Dragons are moving onto the Divisional Round of the postseason following a 77-63 win over the Desperados, Friday night at the American Airlines.

    Following an interception in the opening drive, Garcia led the Dragons to ten consecutive touchdowns. Garcia was 28-of-39 for 330 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception. One of the greatest quarterbacks in AFL history added to his legend as he tied a playoff league record with nine touchdown passes in a game.

    With WR Jason Willis out for the rest of the season, rookie receiver Terry Moss filled in with the game of his life. Catching 11 passes, Moss compiled 11 passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns. Veteran receiver Kevin Swayne also was clutch, making eight catches for 77 yards and four touchdowns. WR/LB Chris Anthony hauled in six passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns.

    While the offense was picture-perfect after the first drive, special teams were also the star of the day. After Dallas successfully completed an on-side kick in the second quarter, head coach Weylan Harding called for three on-side kicks of his own between the second and third quarters, two of which paid off.

    The Dragons held onto a slim lead throughout, 14-7 after the first quarter and 35-28 at the half, until their second successful on-side kick in the third quarter led to a 49-35 advantage.

    Key defensive plays included an interception by DB John Walker in the third quarter and a forced fumble and recovery by DB Levy Brown in the fourth quarter. The Dragons also stopped Dallas from scoring to end the first half.

    Dragons Leaders
    PASSING: Aaron Garcia - 28/39, 330 yds, 9 TDs
    RECEIVING: Terry Moss - 11 rec, 145 yds, 3 TD
    DEFENSIVE: Levy Brown - 7.5 tackles, 1 Fumble Recovery



    Week 17 - Soul 59 Dragons 30


    Photo Courtesy of NewYorkDragons.Com


    (June 22) The New York Dragons finish the regular season 8-8 and are heading to Dallas on Friday to take on the Desperados in a first-round playoff game at 7:30 pm ET after losing to the Philadelphia Soul 59-30 at the Nassau Coliseum on Sunday afternoon. Watch the game live on ESPN.

    QB Aaron Garcia left the game in the second quarter with a mild concussion and did not return, but is scheduled to start against Dallas on Friday. WR Jason Willis had to be carted off the field in the third quarter with a right ankle strain and is out for the remainder of the season.

    The Philadelphia Soul had a strong defensive game, keeping the Dragons from scoring a touchdown on five drives in the first half. DB Rod Davis intercepted a pass by QB Juston Wood – filling in for Garcia – and recovered a fumble by Willis. DB Eddie Moten intercepted his first of two passes in the second quarter to help put the Soul up 42-10 at the half.

    Prior to leaving the game, Willis provided some offensive spark, hauling in eight catches for 97 yards and one touchdown. FB/LB Idris Price and Wood each ran in a touchdown, while DB John Walker returned an interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

    Dragons Leaders
    PASSING: Juston Wood - 16/28, 169 yds
    RECEIVING: Jason Willis - 8 rec, 91 yds, 1 TD
    DEFENSIVE: John Walker - 6 tackles, 1 Interception, 1 Defensive TD



    Week 16 - Dallas 51 Dragons 49


    Photo Courtesy of NewYorkDragons.Com


    (June 14) The The Dragons fell behind 31-14 in the first half and ultimately lost to the Dallas Desperados 51-49, Saturday night at the American Airlines Center. New York mounted an impressive comeback in the second half, outscoring Dallas 21-13 in the third quarter and 14-7 in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough to pick up their ninth win of the season and clinch a playoff spot.

    Dallas stayed pace with the Philadelphia Soul, who won earlier tonight against Cleveland. Dallas and Philadelphia are atop the Eastern Division standings with records of 12-3. New York falls to 8-7 on the season, and can still clinch a playoff spot with a win against Philadelphia next Sunday at the Nassau Coliseum.

    The Dragons defense came alive in the second half, stopping the Dallas offense four times, including fumble recoveries by DL Farouk Adelekan and DB Levy Brown, who also had an interception. The fourth stop came when Dallas turned the ball over on downs.

    The Dragons had control of the ball twice in the fourth quarter with the score 44-42, but both times the Dragons turned it over – once via an interception and once on downs.

    Dallas took a 51-42 lead with 1:27 left in the game before QB Aaron Garcia found WR Jason Willis in the end zone to make it a 51-49 game with seven seconds left. The Dragons' on-side kick went out of bounds, giving Dallas the ball for the game's final possession.

    Garcia ended the game 29-of-49 for 307 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. WR Kevin Swayne caught ten receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Willis finished the game with 12 receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns. WR Chris Anthony hauled in seven catches for 65 yards and one touchdown.

    Defensively for the Dragons, Brown caught an interception, recovered and forced a fumble and recorded six tackles and one pass breakup. LB/FB Idris Price forced the second fumble.

    For Dallas, Clint Dolezel returned to face New York after missing their first meeting of the season. The veteran quarterback was 21-of-33 for 257 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. WR Andrae Thurman led the way with eight receptions for 88 yards and three touchdowns. WR Josh Bush opened the second half with a kick return for a touchdown.

    Dragons Leaders
    PASSING: Aaron Garcia - 29/49, 307 yds, 5 TDs
    RECEIVING: Jason Willis - 12 rec, 134 yds, 2 TDs
    DEFENSIVE: Levy Brown - 6 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 Interception



    Week 15 - Dragons 58 Voodoo 51


    Photo Courtesy of NewYorkDragons.Com


    (June 7) WR Keron Henry ran in his third touchdown of the game with 2:15 remaining in the fourth quarter to lift the Dragons to a 58-51 victory over the New Orleans VooDoo, Saturday night at the Nassau Coliseum. The Dragons defense made a stop on the next drive, but the New York offense fumbled the ball, giving QB Danny Wimprine one last chance to tie the game. The quarterback's throw off the net was batted away to preserve the victory and put the Dragons two games over .500 with two games left in the regular season.

    The Aaron Garcia-led offense scored a touchdown on all but one possession in the final two quarters for a 28-point second half. Garcia's final line was: 31-of-41 for 335 yards and five touchdowns.

    WR Kevin Swayne caught 14 receptions for 135 yards and four touchdowns. His 14 receptions matched Jason Willis' 14 earlier this year for a season-high. FB/LB Ricky Hall also hauled in a touchdown.

    The Dragons once again used Henry for goal line plays. Henry scored three rushing touchdowns.

    On the defensive side, DB Billy Parker made his eighth interception of the year in the third quarter. New Orleans missed a field goal attempt and turned the ball over on downs in the fourth quarter.

    The VooDoo led 37-30 at the half after forcing the Dragons to turn the ball over downs and settle for a K Steve Azar kicked a 48-yard field goal. Following Swayne's second touchdown reception, DL Michale Spicer blocked K Steve Azar's extra-point attempt. Lin-J Shell returned it into the end zone for two additional points for the VooDoo.

    Wimprine finished the game 19-of-39 for 207 yards and six touchdowns. Four VooDoo receivers recorded touchdowns: Jeremiah Pope (2), Ira Gooch (2), James Lynch (1) and James Jordan (1). Pope also ran back a kickoff for a touchdown.

    Dragons Leaders
    PASSING: Aaron Garcia - 31/42, 335 yds, 5 TDs
    RECEIVING: Kevin Swayne - 14 rec, 135 yds, 4 TDs
    DEFENSIVE: Billy Parker - 3 tackles, 3 Pass Breakups, 1 Interception



    Week 14 - Dragons 73 Crush 65


    Photo Courtesy of NewYorkDragons.Com


    (June 2) The Dragons opened up the game with the ball first and went 30 yards for the Touchdown. WR Keron Henry lined up at QB and DL Henry Taylor came in motion and Henry took the snap and ran it in six yards for the TD. New York then tried a surprise onside kick which did not work. The Crush scored on one play. A 23 yard John Dutton pass to Chad Owens. On the next drive the Dragons scored on a 3 yard Touchdown Pass from Garcia to Jason Willis capping a 36 yard drive. On the next Crush drive, they were held to a 4th and 1 where Robert Thomas rushed for the first down, but fumbled and Dragons DB Monty Montgomery recovered to secure the stop. The Dragons then capitalized on the turnover with another Keron Henry Touchdown Run, this time from 1 yard out on the same play from the opening possession only John Nix leading the way this time giving the Dragons a 21-7 lead to end the first quarter.

    Colorado opened up the second quarter with a 13 yard Dutton pass to Chad Owens. The Crush went 35 yards on the drive. New York then came right back down field driving 26 yards for a TouchDown. Aaron Garcia found Jason Willis from 7 yards out. Colorado followed with a 2 play 24 yard drive. They hit the Tight End on a delayed screen for 24 yards. The Dragons were then held to a Field Goal attempt after Aaron Garcia was sacked on 1st down for a big loss. New York Kicker Steve Azar then connected on a long 51 yard Field Goal to maintain the Dragons two score lead. On the following drive John Dutton then found Aaron Hosack on a 10 yard Touchdown pass to bring the Crush to within 31-28. The Dragons responded with a 42 yard drive ending on a 20 yard Jason Willis reception with 37 seconds left. Colorado then moved the ball down to the 13 yard line, but the Dragons were able to hold them to a 27 yard field goal from Crush Kicker Yaussi Deric as time ran out in the first half to bring the Crush to within 7 at 38-31.

    Chad Owens of the Crush took the opening kickoff of the second half and returned it 47 yards for a Touchdown to tie the game at 38. The Dragons took their first possession of the second half and went 35 yards ending on a 10 yard delayed screen to FB Ricky Hall for the Touchdown. Colorado responded when John Dutton connected with Chad Owens on a 20 yard Touchdown to tie the game up again at 45. This ended a 38 yard drive. New York then followed with a 45 yard drive ending on a 5 yard Touchdown pass from Aaron Garcia to Jason Willis. On the next drive the Crush went 42 yards for a Touchdown. Ben Nelson made the reception from 9 yards out. This would be the final scoring play of the quarter and the game would be tied at 52 heading into the 4th quarter.

    New York would open the 4th quarter on a 45 yard drive where Aaron Garcia found Kevin Swayne on 8 yard Touchdown pass. Garcia's Sixth TD Pass of the night. On the following Crush drive, Dragons DS Billy Parker intercepted a long John Dutton pass into the endzone intended for Ben Nelson and he returned it to the Dragons 17 yardline. Following the interception, the Dragons then pushed the lead back to two scores when Aaron Garcia connected with Kevin Swayne on a 20 yard TouchDown pass. Colorado then responded with a 19 yard Touchdown from John Dutton to Chad Owens to make the score 66-59 with 4:34 left in the game. The Crush tried an onside kick which was recovered by the Dragons Farouk Adelekan and returned to the 2 yardline. On the very next play Aaron Garcia took the snap and ran it in for the Touchdown. Colorado would then score on a Willie Quinnie 6 yard Touchdown reception with 38 seconds left, but would miss the extra point keeping the Dragons lead at eight points 73-65. Colorado would try an onside kick, but the Dragons recovered and were able to run out the clock for the victory.

    Dragons Leaders
    PASSING: Aaron Garcia - 27/39, 298 yds, 7 TDs
    RECEIVING: Jason Willis - 9 rec, 93 yds, 4 TDs
    DEFENSIVE: Billy Parker - 4 tackles,1 Interception



    Week 13 - Destroyers 43 Dragons 41


    Photo Courtesy of ColumbusDestroyers.Com


    (May 24) The Dragons opened up the game with the ball and ran a 3 play, 37 yard drive ending with an Aaron Garcia 28 yard Touchdown pass to Jason Willis. On their first offensive possession of the game, Columbus also drove down field on a 5 play 45 yard drive ending on a Matt Nagy 32 yard pass to Calvin Russell for the Touchdown. New York on their next possession went 48 yards on 8 plays ending on a six yard Chris Anthony Touchdown reception. The Destroyers followed up with a 26 yard TouchDown pass to Tremaine Neal to tie the game at 14. New York came back with a 1 play 20 yard drive as Kevin Swayne hauled in the Touchdown to give the Dragons a 21-14 lead to end the First Quarter.

    Columbus started the Second Quarter on a 5 play 45 yard drive for a Touchdown. Nate Ilaoa ran it in from five yards. Mark Lewis missed the extra point however, so Columbus trailed by one point. New York answered back with a 5 play 48 yard drive where Chris Anthony pulled in a four yard touchdown pass from Aaron Garcia. The Destroyers followed with a long 10 play 42 yards drive ending on a 5 yard CJ Johnson Touchdown reception. Aaron Garcia then connected with Jason Willis for a nine yard Touchdown ending a 7 play 46 yard drive. Columbus was then able to drive down field and settle for a 32 yard Mark Lewis Field Goal to cut the Dragon lead to 35-30 to end the first half.

    Columbus started the second half on a LONG 11 minute plus penalty filled drive that resulted with a botched snap which Matt Nagy picked up and ran in for a 4 yard Touchdown to give the Destroyers their first lead of the game 36-35. This would be the only scoring of the third quarter as the Dragons following possession would go into the 4th Quarter.

    After a 10 play drive, the Destroyers were able to stop the Dragons at the 5 yardline by turning the ball over on downs. Columbus then quickly struck with a 40 yard Touchdown to Calvin Russell to give them a 43-35 lead. The Destroyers defense then came up with another stop stalling the Dragons at the 5 yard line and maintaining their 8 point lead. New York was then able to hold Columbus to a Field Goal attempt and blocked it to get the ball back with just over one minute remaining down by 8. The Dragons went 31 yards and Aaron Garcia connected with Kevin Swayne on a 4 yard Touchdown Pass to pull to within two points. The Dragons failed to convert the Two Point Conversion as an attempted pass to Jason Willis was picked off by Matthew Thomas and Columbus was able to hold on for the victory.

    Dragons Leaders
    PASSING: Aaron Garcia - 30/40, 295 yds, 6 TDs
    RECEIVING: Jason Willis - 13 rec, 144 yds, 2 TDs
    DEFENSIVE: Levy Brown - 7 tackles, 2 Pass Breakups



    Week 12 - Force 72 Dragons 67


    Photo Courtesy of ArenaFootball.Com


    (May 18) The Dragons fell behind with just over two minutes to go in the fourth quarter, but regained the lead in the final minute of the fourth quarter, setting up an exciting finish. On Georgia's final drive, QB Chris Greisen launched a 28-yard touchdown pass to WR Tiger Jones for his sixth touchdown reception of the game and a 68-67 Force lead. Georgia completed their two-point conversion successfully before blocking K Steve Azar's 51-yard field goal attempt for a safety and a 72-67 win.

    Offensively, QB Aaron Garcia and receivers Kevin Swayne, Jason Willis and Chris Anthony did all they could to help the Dragons win. Garcia finished the game 40-of-48 for 389 yards, ten touchdowns and one interception. Swayne caught 14 passes for 127 yards and four touchdowns. Willis hauled in nine catches for 106 yards and four touchdowns, while Anthony caught 14 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns.

    The Force countered with the tandem of Greisen and Jones. Greisen finished 32-of-39 for 403 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception. Jones caught a game-high 15 passes for 224 yards and six touchdowns.

    DB Billy Parker made two key defensive plays in the second quarter to help the Dragons to a 41-28 lead at the half. For nearly two quarters, the Dragons and Georgia traded touchdowns before DB John Walker forced a fumble by WR Troy Bergeron that was covered by Parker. The Dragons scored on the ensuing drive to give them their first lead of the game. On the Force's next drive, Parker picked off Greisen's pass, which led to another Dragons score.

    A Garcia pass picked off by DB Williams Fields to open the third quarter and a Georgia Force on-side kick with just under 11 minutes in the fourth quarter turned the tide.

    Dragons Leaders
    PASSING: Aaron Garcia - 40/48, 389 yds, 10 TDs
    RECEIVING: Kevin Swayne - 14 rec, 127 yds, 4 TDs
    Chris Anthony - 14 rec, 136 yds, 2 TDs
    DEFENSIVE: Billy Parker - 6 tackles, 1 Int, 1 Fumble Recovery



    Week 11 - Dragons 52 Avengers 48


    Photo Courtesy of ArenaFootball.Com


    (May 10) On the opening drive of the game, Avengers QB Tim Hicks was picked off by DS Billy Parker and he returned it 20 yards for a TouchDown. On the Avengers next possession, Hicks was picked off for a second time, this time by John Walker. Aaron Garcia then lead the Dragons on a 10 play 27 yard drive ending on a two yard Touchdown pass to Kevin Swayne. Garcia was 5 for 8 passing for 27 yards on the drive.

    To open the second quarter Avengers K Ty Fredrickson attempted a 23 yard Field Goal which was blocked by Farouk Adelekan and then picked up and returned for a TD by Monty Montgomery. Los Angeles finally broke into the scoring column on a two yard Tim Hicks Touchdown pass to Kevin Ingram on 4th and goal after a 13 play 47 yard drive. New York answered right back with a 6 play 42 yard drive ending on a nine yard Aaron Garcia Touchdown pass to Jason Willis. Los Angeles then made a switch at Quarterback benching Tim Hicks in favor of Sonny Cumbie. Cumbie then lead LA downfield on a 30 yard drive finishing off with an eleven yard Touchdown pass to LaShaun Ward with :21 seconds left in the half. Chris Onorato attempted a 50 yard field goal as time expired in the half, but it was no good.

    New York received the opening possession of the second half and drove down to the one yardline. On 3rd and goal Aaron Garcia was sacked and fumbled. Avenger Ryan Riddle picked it up and returned it 35 yards for the TouchDown. New York then responded with a three play 35 yard drive finishing with Aaron Garica hitting Jason Willis on a 23 yard Touchdown pass. Sonny Cumbie then connected with LaShaun Ward on a fifteen yard Touchdown pass following a two play 29 yard drive. On the Dragons next drive Aaron Garcia was intercepted by Damen Wheeler. On the very next play Sonny Cumbie hit Kevin Ingram on a 16 yard touchdown to tie the game at 34. Damen Wheeler then recorded his second interception on the next Dragon possession which was then followed by a one yard Michael Cobbins touchdown run to give the Avengers the lead.

    Dragons opened up the 4th quarter with a one play Touchdown drive on a 35 yard Touchdown to Jason Willis. The extra point was blocked, so LA still lead by one point. The Avengers then responded with a 6 play 41 yard drive, finishing with a four yard LaShaun Ward Touchdown Run. Aaron Garcia then lead a 3 play 29 yard drive finishing with seven yard Kevin Swayne Touchdown reception. The Dragons defense then came up with a big defensive stop forcing the Avengers to turn the ball over on downs. The New York offense followed with a four yard Touchdown to Jason Willis to take back the lead at 52-48. Sonny Cumbie then drove the Avengers down to the Dragons five yardline, but with 2 seconds left in the game, Monty Montgomery picked off Cumbie to seal the victory.

    Dragons Leaders
    PASSING: Aaron Garcia - 21/34, 208 yds, 6 TDs
    RECEIVING: Jason Willis - 9 rec, 127 yds, 4 TDs
    DEFENSIVE: Billy Parker - 7 tackles, 1 Int, 1 Defensive TD



    Week 9 - Dragons 56 Glads 39


    Photo Courtesy of ArenaFootball.Com


    (April 27) For the fourth week in a row, the Dragons have had a solid game on both sides of the ball, which has resulted in a victory. The Dragons took care of business, defeating the Cleveland Gladiators 56-39 Saturday night at the Nassau Coliseum to improve to 5-4. The Dragons jumped over the .500 mark for the first time this season and split the season series with Cleveland.

    K Jason Ball missed a 20-yard field goal with under a minute remaining in the fourth quarter that would have cut the lead to seven. Instead, the Dragons countered as QB Aaron Garcia threw his seventh touchdown pass of the game to make it an insurmountable 56-39 lead. Garcia had another stellar performance, going 26-of-43 for 279 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. The Dragons did not commit any turnovers and failed to score on only two drives in the game.

    WR Kevin Swayne put on his best performance of the season, catching nine passes for 93 yards and four touchdowns. WR Jason Willis caught a team-high 12 passes, for 158 yards and two touchdowns, including the game's final score. On the other side of the ball, the Dragons forced two turnovers, plus got the ball back once on downs. DB Billy Parker caught an interception, while DL Farouk Adelekan recovered a fumble in the second quarter. LB Idris Price forced the fumble and also sacked QB Raymond Philyaw twice. The Dragons held a slim 14-13 lead following the first quarter, but they took charge in the second, allowing only one score by the Gladiators, while countering with three of their own. The Dragons out-scored the Gladiators 21-19 in the second half.

    Dragons Leaders
    PASSING: Aaron Garcia - 26/43, 279 yds, 7 TDs
    RECEIVING: Jason Willis - 12 rec, 158 yds, 2 TDs
    DEFENSIVE: Idris Price - 3 tackles, 2 sacks & 1 forced fumble



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