dragons lose home opener

[jetsrule128]

Despite a festive crowd of 11,126 at the Nassau Coliseum, the Dragons couldn't keep pace with the Nashville Kats, dropping a 57-28 decision in their 2006 season opener on Saturday night. QB Aaron Garcia threw for four touchdowns and 270 yards, but he couldn't overcome the efficient Nashville defensive line.

Nashville's FB/LB Dan Alexander and WR/LB Jarrick Hillery provided multiple threats for the Kats. Both had at least one touchdown reception, with Hillery also scoring on a handoff. Combined with the production of WR/DB T.T. Toliver, QB Clint Stoerner had multiple options throughout the night.

Hillery was the most versatile player on the field, adding a kickoff return for a touchdown to go along with his other offensive scores. His 58-yard kickoff return in the second quarter gave the Kats the momentum for good. For his efforts, he was named the Ironman of the Game.

The Dragons had a chance to get back in the game in third quarter after OS Kevin Swayne caught his second touchdown of the game early in the third to cut the score to 33-21. However, Toliver answered right back by adding a 20-yard touchdown catch of his own that effectively ended the hopes of a comeback.

Swayne had the most productive game for the Dragons by catching three of the team's four touchdown passes. He finished with nine receptions.

The Dragons now hit the road for the next three games, starting with an 8:30 pm game against Chicago next Friday night. The next home game at the Coliseum is on Sunday, February 26 versus Orlando.

SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHTS:

Stoerner threw his first two touchdowns of the year, hitting Hillery with a 23-yard pass and finding Toliver for a 20-yard strike, giving Nashville a 40-21 lead midway through the period.

Swayne helped put the Dragons back in the game early in the frame. His second touchdown reception of the game put the Dragons within two scores of the lead.

Both teams traded turnovers to begin the second half, as DS DaShane Dennis picked off Stoerner at midfield. The Dragons fumbled away the ball on the next play, giving possession pack to the Kats.

FIRST HALF RECAP:

Garcia teamed up with a familiar friend in Swayne, hitting the veteran receiver in the back of the endzone with a high lob during the team's first possession for a quick 7-0 lead. Holder added a touchdown reception of his own early in the second quarter to retake the lead.

The Kats seized the momentum immediately after that, scoring three straight times. First, Hillery returned a Jesse Obert kickoff 58 yards for a touchdown to tie the score at 14. They gained the lead two plays later as OL/DL Aaron McConnell sacked Garcia in the endzone for a safety. Dan Alexander then gave Nashville a nine-point lead with a two-yard touchdown run on the subsequent offensive possession. Kats K Tony Dodson extended that lead by three by drilling a field goal as time expired for a 26-14 halftime lead.

NOTES: To honor the team's third consecutive Eastern Division championship in 2005, the Dragons raised a banner to the Coliseum rafters in a pre-game ceremony...Holder's second quarter touchdown grab was the 50th of his career...Attendance for the game was 11,126?Toliver was named the Offensive Player of the Game while McConnel was named the Defensive Player of the Game.

dragons are now 0-2

[Green DNA]

WTF?? There are 6 thousand smilies here, where the hell is the snoring thing? I'll have to improvise: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I think arena football is one step above cricket, how do you watch that stuff? I've tried, but it's painful.

[The Gun Of Bavaria]

I'll watch it when I'm bored, it isn't that bad

[124]

Arena Football blows.