Following last season’s humiliating opening week loss to Dallas, the Dragons might consider last night’s effort against Cleveland to be a resounding success.

But while the Dragons stayed competitive, they suffered two key losses at Quicken Loans Arena. Quarterback Aaron Garcia, who has missed most of the last two seasons with leg injuries, suffered a sprained knee and exited the game in the second quarter.

Garcia headed to the locker room for treatment and did not return to action. Backup Rohan Davey filled in and led a comeback attempt, though a late Cleveland rally handed the Dragons a 61-49 loss to the Gladiators in both teams’ Arena Football League season opener.

An announced crowd of 17,391 cheered the Gladiators first game in Cleveland after the franchise moved from Las Vegas in the offseason. The spectators enjoyed plenty of chances to cheer after Raymond Philyaw threw five touchdown passes to four different receivers. The Dragons will head back to Long Island for the home opener Sunday against Kansas City at Nassau Coliseum.

Garcia’s absence was a big reason why the Dragons struggled through a 5-11 season in 2007. That campaign, which started with a 60-7 Week 1 loss to Dallas, marked the first time in coach Weylan Harding’s first three seasons that he couldn’t lead his team the playoffs.

Davey, who struggled to fill in for Garcia as a rookie, showed improvement in his relief appearance. The former LSU star finished 21-30 with five touchdowns and just one interception on a desperation pass in the final minute. Davey entered after Garcia started 7-16 and threw an interception to help put the Gladiators up 14-0 after the first quarter.

Harding traded star receiver Mike Horacek to New Orleans for pass rushing specialist Henry Taylor in the offseason. Horacek’s absence didn’t impact the passing game. Veteran holdovers Chris Anthony and Kevin Swayne combined for five touchdown catches, becoming Davey’s two favorite targets.

Just like last season, the lack of a pass rush put pressure on the secondary. Taylor failed to get to Philyaw and the defensive line generated just one sack. Otis Amey and Marlion Jackson also found space along the line as each back added a rushing touchdown.

“It was a big win for the organization and the fans,” Philyaw said to the Dragons’ radio network after the game. “It was a sloppy win, but we have to take it and limit our mistakes for next week.”

Davey struggled to replace Garcia in his first year, completing 216 of 364 passes for 2,612 yards. Should Garcia be out for any extended time, the 6-2, 245-pound passer will look to build off his solid effort against the Gladiators’ secondary.

Garcia has missed 21 out of 32 regular season games the past two seasons. The 37-year-old is just one four quarterbacks in league history to eclipse the 800-touchdown passing mark. Before heading to Cleveland, Harding said his return makes the Dragons a viable Arena Bowl contender.

“Having No. 8 back there makes us better all the way around,” Harding said. “You have a guy who you can count on as far as consistency of production. If we can keep him productive and upright, along with the upgrades we’ve made, we have just as good of a chance as anybody else.”

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