Sports stats



Brigade Headed To Playoffs With 47-34 Win At Columbus

June 8, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Kansas City Brigade News Release


COLUMBUS - For the second week in a row the Brigade went on the road to face a team fighting for its season. The Columbus Destroyers provided the most difficult of circumstances Friday night at Nationwide Arena, but the Brigade had a goal of its own. A strong first half gave the Brigade enough cushion to prevail 47-34, securing a playoff berth for the second-year franchise after an inaugural 3-13 season.

The win also moves the Brigade (9-5) one step closer to a potential Central Division title game with the Chicago Rush in the last game of the season. First, the Brigade will return to the Hangar Saturday, June 16 for the regular season home finale against the Nashville Kats. The Brigade, winners of three in a row and five of its last six games, is 5-2 at home this season.

Even in Arena Football, the game was never as close as the score indicated. Down 6-0 after the first quarter, the Brigade outscored the Destroyers 27-7 the rest of the half. The offense scored on four possessions in the second quarter, thanks to a pair of stops by the Brigade defense.

BJ Cohen helped set the tone for the defensive line's treatment of Columbus quarterback Matt Nagy, sacking him the first of three times and forcing a fumble that was recovered by Deveron Harper. Cyron Brown stopped another Destroyers drive with a sack of his own. The Brigade defense recorded a team-record three sacks in first half and five for the game.

The offense put up big numbers of its own in the first half. Raymond Philyaw completed an amazing 14-of-15 passes for 158 yards, passing for all four Brigade touchdowns of the second quarter. He spread the scoring around as Jerel Myers caught two touchdowns and Charles Frederick and Ira Gooch had one each.

Defense was the theme of the third quarter as the Brigade shutout Columbus thanks to another turnover. Travis Coleman grabbed an interception for the second straight game, this time in the end zone as the receiver fell down. Philyaw turned that into a touchdown on an eight-yard scoring pass to Anthony Hines to increase the Brigade lead to 34-13 with just two minutes left in the third quarter.

The teams traded touchdowns to start the final quarter with the Brigade getting a short field after recovering a Destroyers onside kick. Philyaw and the offense needed only three plays to find the end zone and match the Columbus touchdown. Philyaw hit Frederick from five yards out for the score and Kral added the extra point for a 41-20 lead.

The Destroyers were unable to answer as the Brigade defense forced its third turnover of the game. Coleman was again the thief, baiting Nagy to throw into the end zone before recovering for the interception. Columbus then forced a turnover of its own and converted it for a touchdown and a two-point play, putting the Brigade lead at 41-28 with less than five minutes to play.

The highlight of the game came on the Brigade's ensuing drive after the Destroyers' onside kick went out of bounds. Philyaw had already thrown touchdowns to all four receivers, so he decided to get the offensive line in the action. A designed screen pass went to 6-foot-4, 360 lbs. Jamarr Ward, who put a spin move on the nearest Columbus defender and, escorted by fellow lineman Larrell Johnson, lumbered 13 yards for the final Brigade score of the game.

• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 8, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central