Copyright 2006 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

May 22, 2006 Monday
Main Edition

SECTION: SPORTS; Pg. 7C

LENGTH: 384 words

HEADLINE: FORCE 72, DRAGONS 69;
Nagy throws 9 TDs in upset;
Wild-card Georgia advances to division title

BYLINE: BRIAN BOHL

BODY:


Uniondale, N.Y. --- For Doug Plank, the fifth time was the charm.

After losing the first four games against New York, the Georgia Force coach saw his team finally defeat the Dragons, posting a 72-69 shootout victory in the first round of the AFL playoffs.

Entering the game with the sixth and final wild-card seed, the Force pulled an upset over the third-seeded Dragons at Nassau Coliseum, advancing to face Dallas on Saturday in the Eastern Division championship game.

Chris Jackson caught five of Matt Nagy's nine touchdowns for the Force, who played in the ArenaBowl last season. His 13 catches and 180 yards led all receivers.

In a great individual match-up, Jackson engaged in a can-you-top-this performance against Mike Horacek. The two combined for 11 touchdowns and 353 receiving yards.

"Big players make big catches in big games," Plank said. "It was fun watching those two go at each other. No matter what we tried to do to stop him, Horacek found the end zone. Fortunately we had Jackson and Derek Lee to offset that."

Up by five with a little over six minutes remaining, Adam Metts made the biggest defensive play of the night, jarring the ball loose from Bruce Blue. Robert Thomas recovered the fumble for the Force.

It appeared the Dragons' defense would atone for the mistake, but Nagy came through in the clutch. On a fourth-and-six, Jackson made another big catch, this time hauling in a hard pass for the first down to keep the drive alive.

One play later, Lee provided a two-score cushion, catching a 16-yard touchdown pass to put Georgia up 65-53 with 3:55 left.

Both teams traded touchdowns on their next possession. Chris Anthony took advantage of the attention put on Horacek and Kevin Swayne, catching his first touchdown of the game. Nagy answered back, hooking up with Tyronne Jones on a 42-yard strike that increased the lead to 72-61.

Plank nearly saw it all come apart in the end.

With less than a minute left, Dragons quarterback Nick Browder had his last salvo, finding Horacek for the sixth and final time on a 25-yard touchdown pass down the middle of the field to make it a 3- point game.

It appeared New York recovered the subsequent onside kick, but the officials ruled Georgia maintained possession.

"We were very fortunate. That could have easily went to the other side," Plank said.

GRAPHIC: Graphic: NEXT FOR FORCE * Opponent: Dallas Desperados * When; where: 3:30 p.m. Saturday; American Airlines Center, Dallas * TV: NBC

LOAD-DATE: May 23, 2006