Turnovers Costly in Soul’s Defeat of the Dragons
Sunday April 1, 2007
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.
Five Stars of the Game:
1. QB Tony Graziani: Six touchdowns for the winning Soul
2. QB Rohan Davey: Continues to improve, throwing for a season-high eights TDs
3. WR Charles Pauley: Three TD – two receptions, one kick return
4. DB Eddie Moten: An impressive 50-yard TD off an interception
5. WR Mike Horacek: Three TDs and a season-high 188 yards
Stat of the Game: The Dragons committed five turnovers to two by the Soul
Fans of the Game: Jay (not pictured) and his two sons Andrew, 5, and Brandon, 8, have been season-ticket holders since 2003. Brandon’s favorite player is Horacek because he’s “fast and a good receiver. Andrew’s favorite Dragon is, of course, a big fan of Sparky because he repels down from the ceiling. Jay decided to become a ticket holder because it’s fun for the kids. “I’m a football fan,” said Jay. “It’s exciting to come here.
Extra Points: Today’s attendance was 8,729…This was the Soul’s first win at the Nassau Coliseum in four tries…Head Coach Weylan Harding told Dragons radio in their pre-game show that as an April Fool’s joke he convinced one of his players today was Easter Sunday…The Offensive Player of the Game was Tony Graziani, the ADT Defensive Player of the Game was Eddie Moten and the Ironman of the Game was Charles Pauley
Game Operations: Right before the half, two fans participated in the Hooters Wing Eating contest…Long Island Frisbee dogs Jetta, Little Dixie and Linx were the stars of the halftime show…One lucky fan was given the chance for roundtrip plane tickets if he kicked a field goal from the 25-yard line…Another four contestants took part in a kicking/quarterback contest…
