by Stephen Edward
Brooklyn Sports Networ

Game Stats

vs.

March 23, 2007 1 2 3 4 F New York Dragons 31 0 7 28 66 Tampa Bay Storm 7 23 20 24 74

Tampa, FL -   The New York Dragons wasted a 24-point, first-quarter lead, losing to the Tampa Bay Storm, 74-66, in Florida in week nine of Arena Football League play. After scoring 31 points in the first quarter, New York was held scoreless in the second and managed just seven points in the third as the Storm righted their own offensive ship. 

Tampa Bay scored 67 points over the last three quarters and held off New York's fourth-quarter comeback attempt to win by eight. The Dragons scored 28 points in the fourth quarter but a last-minute onside lick attempt went to the Storm and ended any hopes of tying the game. 

New York led in time of possesion almost two-to-one but turnovers by both teams shaped the scoring. Dragon quarterback Aaron Garcia went 27-for-56 with 273 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. Garcia ran the ball three times for negative 10 yards in New York's anemic running game. Kevin Swayne led Dragons recievers with 12 receptions and four touchdowns.

Storm quarterback John Kaleo threw for 291 yards over 17-of-31 passing with six touchdowns but also six intereceptions. Demetris Pedross (106y) and Lawrence Samuels (114y) each had six receptions and two touchdowns for Tampa Bay. Fullback Jarrod Penwright had eight carries for 12 yards.

Fred Booker led the Storm defense with 12 tackles while Samuels had both intereceptions. Floyd Young and Tom Briggs each sacked Garcia three times. Briggs and Ricky Hall each forced a fumble. 

For the Dragon, Mike Horacek had five tackles and two interecptions while Dahnel Singfield also had two picks, one returned for a touchdown, along with five tackles. Will Holder and Maurice Brown each had one interception.

New York falls to 4-4 with the loss while Tampa Bay improves to 5-3.

Game Stats

Next Up: The Dragons return home to host the Georgia Force on Sunay April 1st.

Around the AFL: Week 9

FRI 7:30PM NO (5-3) 58 @ GEO (3-5) 45

FRI 9:00PM DAL (4-4) 31 @ CLB (5-3) 56

FRI 10:30PM ARZ (4-3) @ AUS (5-2)

SAT 7:00PM LV (2-5) @ ORL (3-4)

SAT 7:30PM LA (4-3) @ SJ (4-3)

SAT 8:00PM COL (3-4) @ CHI (5-2)

SUN 12:00PM GR (4-3) @ NSH (4-3)

SUN 6:00PM KC (4-3) @ UTH (1-5)

New York Dragons 23 Tampa Bay Storm 55
1 2 3 4 T Final NYD (4-4) 31 0 7 28 66 TB (4-3) 7 23 14 24 74	9:00 PM March 23, 2007 St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL Game Stats