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Columbus Destroyers Fall To New Orleans VooDoo, 52-45

March 9, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


NEW ORLEANS - The state of Arena Football in New Orleans is alive and well as the Columbus Destroyers (1-1) lost to the New Orleans VooDoo (1-1), 52-45, in front of 17,001 fans, a franchise record, in a loud and raucous New Orleans Arena on Friday night. The game was the first played in the city after the devastation left behind Hurricane Katrina in September of 2005.

The Destroyers had a chance to tie the game with 15-seconds left in the game, when a VooDoo defender batted down a Matt Nagy pass intended for wide receiver Damien Groce in the end zone. Nagy finished the game completing 22 of 44 passes for 274 yards and five touchdowns. Groce had another strong game with seven catches for 131 yards and four touchdown catches. David Saunders led all Destroyers receivers with eight grabs for 71 yards and extended his consecutive touchdown catch streak to 13 with a scoring reception in the third quarter.

The Destroyers finished off a seven play drive for 45-yards as Nagy found Groce for a 20-yard score to begin the game. The Destroyers have scored on their first drive twice this season. On the ensuing VooDoo drive, quarterback Andy Kelly found Offensive Player of the Game, Kenny Henderson, for a 38-yard touchdown off a wide-receiver screen. Destroyers' kicker Peter Martinez added a 32-yard field goal to end the first quarter.

The VooDoo took their first lead of the game in the second quarter as fullback Dan Curran rushed in from 2-yards out, the VooDoo led 14-10. On the following Destroyers drive, Martinez brought the Destroyers to within one point after nailing a 43-yard field goal, a season best. After VooDoo kicker Eric Houle missed a field goal from 25-yards, the VooDoo recovered the ball off the net and the ball was spotted at the four-yard line of the Destroyers. Curran added his second rushing touchdown of the quarter running the ball in from four yards.

The tandem of Nagy and Groce is proving to be one to reckon with, as they hooked up for a 22-yard score with 15-seconds left in the half. VooDoo kicker Houle, made good on a 40-yard field goal attempt as time expired on the first half.

After the VooDoo opened the second half turning the ball over on downs, Nagy found David Saunders for a 12-yard score. Saunders extended his consecutive touchdown streak to 13 games dating back to last season. The VooDoo returned the favor as Kelly found Tyronne Jones, IronMan of the Game, alone in the end zone from three yards for the touchdown. The play was set up by a Curran 13-yard rumble through the Destroyers defense down to the three yardline. On a key fourth and two from the VooDoo 12-yardline, Nagy found Saunders in the flat for an 11 yard gain. The Destroyers pulled the score even at 31 as Nagy found Groce on a wide receiver screen from six yards out.

Fourteen-year AFL veteran Kelly, found Henderson for their second scoring strike of the night from 26-yards. Nagy and Groce put on a fabulous display as they paired up for their fourth touchdown of the game. Nagy found Groce wide open streaking down the sideline for a 37-yard score. The teams were knotted at 38 to end the third quarter.

The VooDoo opened the scoring in the fourth quarter as Kelly found Darnell MacDonald in the corner of the endzone from 17-yards. Brad Greetis hauled in a one-yard touchdown reception to tie the game at 45. The VooDoo took the ball with 4:05 remaining in the game and in three plays covered 26 yards culminating in a James Lynch one-yard touchdown run.

The Destroyers return to Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena on Saturday March 24 to face the defending ArenaBowl XX Champion Chicago Rush for a 7 p.m. (ET) kickoff. WE BELIEVE that you can never get enough football. Season tickets for the 2007 season are now available starting at $99 by calling (877) COLS-AFL or by visiting www.ColumbusDestroyers.com. Also for a limited time, fans may purchase a special season ticket package that includes two season tickets, two replica AFL footballs and two Destroyers hats for $198. Single game tickets are now on sale at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, The Bluelines at all Chiller Ice Rinks and all ticketmaster Ticket Centers. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for group rates by calling (614) 246-HITS.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 9, 2007


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