by Stephen Edward
Brooklyn Sports Network

vs.

April 1, 2007 1 2 3 4 F Georgia Force 14 3 17 7 41 New York Dragons 7 20 14 9 50

Uniondale, NY- The Dragons got off to a slow start but used strong defense and a decent scoring attack to beat the Georgia Force, 50-41, in Week 10 AFL arena football action. A week after surrendering 74 points New York's defense stepped up and limited Georgia's scoring chances. 

Dragons quarterback Aaron Garcia threw three touchdown passes, including two to reciever Maurice Brown, and the defense added a touchdown on Dahnel Singfield's interception return. Kicker Jesse Obert provided the difference with five field goals on five attempts. 

It appeared as if New York's defensive woes would continue on Georgia's first drive. Quarterback Chris Greisen threaded a short pass through two Dragon defenders to Troy Bergeron who sprinted past everyone for a 40-yard touchdown.  The almost imposible completion could have understandable led to finger pointing and further break down but the defense gathered itself to talk about their assignments.

The Dragons answered back to tie the score with a drive and one-yard touchdown run by Nick Rogers. The Force took the lead again before the first quarter ended with a three-yard run by former Dragon Bob McMillen. After an early second quarter field goal pulled New York within four the Dragons were in a position to take their first lead.

This time New York used a medium pass turned into a long gain for a touchdown. Garcia connected to Maurice Brown, who streaked down the sideline boards for a 40-yard score. After Georgia tied the score on a field goal, New York re-took the lead for good with Obert's second field goal.

With a chance to take a two-score lead before the half Garcia delivered. Driving the team dow field in the one-minute offense, Garcia found Mike Horacek in the end zone for a 27-17 halftime lead. 

The Force wouldn't go away easily, stunning Garcia on the half's opening drive with a sack and forced fumble in the end zone by Ernest Allen. Bobby Setzer landed on the loose ball and New York's lead was down to three once again. After the offense turned the ball over on downs it was the Dragon's defense that regained control of the game.

Singfield stepped in front of a Greisen pass and returned it 31 yards for a 10-point Dragon lead. Greisen and Garcia traded touchdown passes with Brown's second score, 31 yards this time, re-establishing the double-digit lead.  A Force field goal late in the quarter made it a seven-point game entering the fourth.

Two Obert field goals pushed the lead to 13 before Georgia scored again. A nine yard pass to Bergeron made the score 47-41 with three minutes to go and gave Georgia chance. New York controlled the ball, made the Force use their timeouts and kicked a fifth fiekd goal with :19 seconds left to seal the victory.

Around the AFL: Week 10  

FRI 3/30 7:00PM  Orlando Predators (4-5) 45 @ Austin Wranglers (6-3) 58

SAT 3/31 7:00PM  Columbus Destroyers (6-3) 58 @ Tampa Bay Storm (5-4) 42

SAT 3/31 7:30PM Philadelphia Soul (0-8) 64 @ Dallas Desperados (5-4) 67

SAT 3/31 8:00PM Arizona Rattlers (5-4) 47 @ New Orleans VooDoo (6-3) 51

SAT 3/31 8:00PM Utah Blaze (2-6) 60 @ Los Angeles Avengers (4-5) 55

SAT 3/31 8:00PM Chicago Rush (6-3) 22 @ Kansas City Brigade (6-3) 53

SAT 3/31 9:00PM Colorado Crush (4-5) 65 @ Las Vegas Gladiators (2-7) 33

SUN 4/01 3:00PM Nashville Kats (5-4) 36 @ San Jose Sabercats (6-3) 53

Scorch Marks: Maurice Brown was named the Player of the game with 15 catches for 219 yards and two touchdowns on offense plus six takles on defense and eight kick returns for 119 yards. Mike Horacek had eight receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown.

Dahnel Singfield led the Dragons with seven tackles in addition to his touchdown scoring interception.

Georgia's Derek Lee led all tacklers with eight.

Dragons kicker Jesse Obert kicked five field goals and added five extra points to be credited with 20 points scored.

Sat . Apr. 7 10:30PM Pepsi Center Denver, CO

New York Dragons (5-4) vs. Colorado Crush (4-5)

Next Up: The Dragons go on the road to take on the Colorado Crush in Denver. The Crush are 4-5 in the American Conference Central Division.  

The game is part of an Arena Football double header on BSNetwork with af2's Albany Conquest taking on the Macon Knights at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Brooklyn Sports Network brings you the hard-hitting action all season long so don't miss a play.

And be sure to follow Arena Football's Minor League circuit, af2, with the Albany Conquest .