UNIONDALE, NY - It’s now official.

For the second time in as many years, the Dragons will be hosting a playoff game, punching their ticket to the post-season with a 47-35 victory over the Georgia Force in front of 10,771 rabid fans at the Nassau Coliseum.

Nick Browder once again rose to the challenge, completing 20-27 passes for five touchdowns and 191 yards.

With the win, the Dragons record improves to 10-5 and gives them at least 10 victories for the second straight season. It also ensures the team will have their first-round playoff contest at home, as they wrapped up the top wild card seed in the National Conference.

While the game was close to the end, the Dragons were able to distance themselves in the final quarter. Browder connected with Maurice Brown for a touchdown early in the fourth to put the home team up two scores. The catch was the second touchdown reception of the game for Brown and gave the Dragons a 12 point cushion.

Force quarterback Matt Nagy gave his team a shot at one last comeback attempt with a six play, 36-yard drive that was capped by the last of Chris Jackson’s three touchdowns receptions, cutting the deficit to 40-35.

Any brewing feelings of confidence for the visiting team quickly dissipated, as the Force could not recover the ensuring onside kick. Three plays later, Browder delivered the final blow, scoring on a quarterback sneak from the one yard line to reestablish a double digit lead.

An interesting subplot to the game was the performances of Mike Horacek and Jackson, as both wide outs were the focal points of their team’s respective offensives.

Jackson led all receivers with his 163 yards, adding 11 catches in total.

Horacek was part of a more balanced attack, as Browder had touchdown passes with four different receivers. The reigning Ironman of the Week finished with eight catches for 93 yards.

Before the playoffs arrive, the Dragons will need to close out the regular season. They will hit the road to take on division rival Dallas Desperados in a possible post-season preview. The game, originally scheduled for Saturday, will be played on Friday with kickoff set for 8:30 pm Eastern Time.

THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS:
Browder wasted no time in padding the lead, marching the Dragons 44 yards down the field on the team’s first possession of the quarter. The drive was culminated by a two-yard touchdown pass to Maurice Brown near the left side boards to open up a 33-21 edge.

Georgia answered right back when Nagy found Matt Huebner for a ten-yard touchdown pass. The Dragons almost gave their opponent a chance to retake the lead after Browder could not connect on a fourth down pass attempt with time winding down in the frame. However, the referees called Nate Coggins for an illegal contact penalty, allowing New York to extend the drive and head into the fourth with the lead.

FIRST HALF RECAP:
Richard McCleskey put the home team on the scoreboard for the first time with 24.4 remaining in the first quarter, getting the crowd back in the game by lowering his shoulder and pounding his way into the end zone from the two yard line.

On the ensuring kickoff, Brown recovered a Chris Jackson fumble caused by a jarring hit delivered by Angel Estrada to give the Dragons the ball back. Browder capitalized on the turnover by finding Stacy Evans for a one-yard dump pass that tied the score at 14.

Both teams traded fumble recoveries midway through the second quarter, with the Dragons retaining possession one play after losing the ball. Chris Anthony jumped on a fumble caused by DaShane Dennis, setting up Browder’s 26-yard touchdown pass to Horacek that knotted the score at 21.

In the final minute of the half, the Dragons took their first lead of the game. Browder connected with Swayne on an 18-yard touch pass for the score and a six point edge with 54.8 seconds left.

A tough defensive stand made that lead stand up heading into halftime. A sack by Marcus Owen along with tight coverage in the secondary forced Georgia to turn the ball over on downs with two seconds remaining.

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