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Columbus Destroyers game notes

April 28, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Columbus Destroyers (3-8) vs
Carolina Cobras (4-7)
Date: Saturday, May 1, 2004
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (ET)
Site: Charlotte Coliseum (12,229)
Officials: David Lambros (Referee), Al Granado (Umpire), Mike McCabe (Head Linesman), Arthur Lucky (Line Judge), David Cutaia (Back Judge)
Radio: Columbus' flagship station WAZU-107.1 FM "The Big Wazoo" will broadcast the game live with Marty Bannister handling the play-by-play duties and Greg Frey supplying color commentary.
Series Record: The Cobras hold a three game edge on the Destroyers winning four of their five meetings.
Last Meeting: The Destroyers went toe to toe with the Cobras in the Destroyers' first game in Columbus. The Cobras put together a last second touchdown to come away with the win in week two, 54-53.
Series Streaks: The Cobras won the last meeting, but the Destroyers won their lone meeting last season 44-16.
Coaches: Destroyers, Earle Bruce (3-8 in 2004, 16-24 overall). Carolina, Ron Selesky (1-0 in 2004, 6-11 overall).


OVERVIEW: The Columbus Destroyers kicked off their inaugural season with a win in Indiana, but fell into a six game skid resulting in a 1-6 record after seven weeks of play. After their bye week in week eight, though, the Destroyers have come on strong, winning two of their last four games. Both teams, the Destroyers and the Carolina Cobras enter this week's match on the ropes but not yet down and out. They will try to put together a string of wins, just as the Destroyers did, after their week off last week. The Cobras will try to carry a head of steam through the break into this week's match-up after beating the Philadelphia Soul 63-59. The Destroyers have picked up a pair of losses after its strong push after their vacation. The most recent loss came at the hands of the defending AFL Champions, the Tampa Bay Storm, in a hard fought match 46-36.

THE SERIES: Last season the Destroyers posted their lone win over the Cobras 44-16 in the second game of the season. The Cobras, would go on after to not win a single game and end the season at an 0-16 mark. The win put the Destroyers on the wining path, going on a three game winning-streak. Earlier this season, the Cobras handed the Destroyers their fist loss sending them in to a six-game skid. Prior to last season the Cobras had beaten the Destroyers in three straight encounters, two of them coming in 2001.

COLUMBUS DESTROYERS
Date Opponent Time (ET) Result/Streak
2/7 at Indiana 7:00 W-54-48/W1
2/13 CAROLINA 7:00 L-53-54/L1
2/21 at Philadelphia 7:30 L-34-56/L2
2/29 DALLAS 3:00 L-35-51/L3
3/5 at Arizona 9:00 L-42-65/L4
3/13 PHILADELPHIA 7:00 L-41-43/L5
3/20 at New York 7:00 L-41-62/L6
4/4 ORLANDO 12:00 W-55-46/W1
4/10 NEW YORK 7:00 W-65-55/W2
4/18 at New Orleans 3:00 L-46-64/L1
4/25 TAMPA BAY 12:00 L-36-46/L2
5/1 at Carolina 7:30
5/9 GEORGIA 3:00
5/14 GRAND RAPIDS 7:00
5/22 at Dallas 8:30
5/29 at Las Vegas 4:00

CAROLINA COBRAS
Date Opponent Time (ET) Result/Streak
2/8 at Dallas 3:00 W-67-41/W1
2/13 at Columbus 7:00 w-54-53/W2
2/21 ARIZONA 7:30 L-38-45/L1
2/28 ORLANDO 7:30 L-43-59/L2
3/7 at Austin 3:00 L-55-56/L3
3/13 DALLAS 3:00 L-52-77/L4
3/21 TAMPA BAY 3:00 W-54-43/W1
3/27 at New Orleans 8:00 L-31-48/L1
4/4 NEW YORK 3:00 L-41-57/L2
4/11 at Indiana 3:00 L-31-65/L3
4/17 PHILADELPHIA 7:30 W-63-59/W1
5/1 COLUMBUS 7:30
5/8 at New York 7:00
5/15 at Philadelphia 7:30
5/22 GRAND RAPIDS 7:30
5/30 at Georgia 4:00

THE IFS...
If Columbus defeats Carolina, it would...

· Avenge the loss earlier this season at the hands of the Cobras.
· Give Columbus their second win over the Cobras.
· Give Columbus their fourth victory on the season.
· Give the Destroyers a tie for 4th place in National Eastern with Carolina.
· Give Columbus a 4-8 overall record.
· Prevent the Destroyers from falling to 3-9 on the season.
· Give the Destroyers their second road win of the season.

LAST WEEK: The Destroyers were forced to face old demons last week when a turnover changed the course of the game ending in a loss the defending AFL Champion Tampa Bay Storm, 36-46. The Destroyers were pinned inside their own five on their first possession of the second half. In the face of oncoming rusher, to avoid taking a safety, QB Ryan Vena attempted to throw the ball away. The ball, however, was tipped and after being juggled by several players, settled into the clutches of DL Kelvin Kinney for the Storm defensive touchdown. The score put Tampa Bay up by ten, never to relinquish the lead. Vena led the Destroyers in passing and rushing, throwing 16 completions in 28 attempts for 175 yards, three touchdowns and the fateful interception. The also carried the ball five times for 27 yards taking one past the pylons. Shane Stafford led Tampa with 18 of 26 passes finding their mark for 212 yards and a touchdown. Sedrick Robinson led Columbus in receiving and returns with six catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns, and five returns for 72 yards. WR/LB Lawrence Samuels was the best Storm receiver hauling seven balls for 81 yards. The Destroyers took an early 12-0 lead and then traded scores with the Storm for the remainder of the first half to go to the locker room with a five point lead. The Storm came out of halftime to score on the first possession to take the lead 25-22. After the interception to put Tampa up by ten the game followed the first half's script, trading touchdowns to end the game 36-46, the Destroyers holding the short end of the stick.

NEXT WEEK: The Destroyers will try to charm the Cobras before traveling back to Nationwide Arena for a Mother's Day match-up with the Georgia Force at 3 p.m.

LAST SERIES MEETING: The Destroyers had their hopes of winning their inaugural home opener dashed on the last play of the game by the Cobras in their last meeting, losing 53-54.

ALL-TIME SERIES SCORES
Date/Location Score
Feb. 13, 2004/ at CMB 53-54/ Carolina
Feb. 9, 2003/ at Buffalo 44-16/ Buffalo
July 12, 2002/ at Buffalo 31-52/ Carolina
June 17, 2001/ at Buffalo 53-44/ Carolina
May 4, 2001/ at Carolina 57-59/ Carolina

THE COACHES:
Columbus – Earle Bruce, 4th season (1st with Destroyers) 3-8 in 2004; 16-24 overall
Earle Bruce returns to the Area Football League as head coach and general manager for the Columbus Destroyers. Bruce landed his first collegiate head-coaching job at the University of Tampa in 1972, where he fashioned a 10-2 record, including a win in the Tangerine Bowl. He took over at Iowa State University from 1973-1978, where he guided the Cyclones to eight wins in each of his last three seasons. Bruce succeeded long-time coach Woody Hayes at Ohio State in 1979 and went on to compile an 81-26-1 record from 1979-1987 in Columbus. He led the Buckeyes to two outright Big Ten titles (1979, 1984) and two co-championships (1981, 1986) and was named the 1980 Big Ten Coach of the Year. Following his tenure in Columbus, Bruce coached at the University of Northern Iowa in 1988 before taking over the Colorado State University program from 1989-92. He led the Rams to their best season in school history, a 9-4 record that included a win in the Freedom Bowl. Bruce began his coaching career in the AFL during the 1993-1994 seasons with the Cleveland Thunderbolts. He spent the 1994-1995 seasons with the St. Louis Stampede, making theirs the best record of an expansion football team at 9 and 4 and taking them to the playoffs. In 2001 Bruce coached the Iowa Barnstormers in the AF2 League.

Carolina – Ron Selesky, 2nd season (1st with Cobras) 1-0 in 2004; 6-11 overall
Ron Selesky serves as the Carolina Cobras' head coach after coaching the Buffalo Destroyers to a 5-11 mark last year. Prior to joining the Destroyers, Selesky earned af2 Coach of the Year honors in 2002, guiding the Albany Conquest to a regular season mark of 13-3 and a Northeast Division title. Selesky also spent the 2001 season on the sidelines for the af2 Louisville Fire, leading the team to a 6-10 mark. He also serves as the director of player personnel and assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Storm from 1997 to 1999. With the Storm, his teams compiled a 31-11 regular season record and earned a berth in the 1998 ArenaBowl. Selesky was a four-year starter for North Central College as an offensive tackle. His professional career included a stint with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings in 1987 and camp attendance with San Diego, Miami and Detroit.

INJURY REPORT:. In week two wide receiver/defensive back Jason Collins-Baker suffered a season-ending torn ACL. In week four, in the Dallas game, Antwon Jones suffered a sprained knee, leaving him on IR for a minimum of two weeks. Kelron Sykes was placed on IR after hyper extending his knee versus Orlando. Defensive specialist Chris Angel was placed on IR after having surgery to repair a thumb injury suffered in practice, and offensive/defensive lineman Marcus McKenzie was placed on IR after suffering a broken bone in his hand April 10 versus New York.

INJURY REPORT
Player Injury Status
Cornelius White Ankle Questionable
Marcus McKenzie Hand IR
Chris Angel Hand IR
Kelron Sykes Knee IR
Antwon Jones Knee IR
Jason Collins-Baker Knee IR

TALE OF THE TAPE: Here's how the Destroyers and
Cobras match up after twelve weeks of play.

2004 LEAGUE TEAM RANKINGS
Category Columbus Carolina
Scoring Offense (Rank) 45.6(17) 48.1 (T11)
Scoring Defense 53.6 (15) 54.8 (18)
Total Offense 248.5 (16) 250.7 (15)
Total Defense 262.1 (11) 261.9 (T9)
Touchdowns Scored 69 (16) 73 (13)
Pass Offense 226.1 (13) 240.9 (10)
Pass Defense 230.2 (5) 242.7 (11)
Passing Touchdowns 42 (17) 53 (9)
Rushing Offense 22.4 (9) 9.8 (19)
Rushing Defense 31.9 (18) 19.2 (8)
Rushing Touchdowns 20 (T8) 14 (T15)
Field Goal Percentage 34.8% (14) 34.4% (16)
Field Goals Made 8 (T8) 11 (T2)
Interceptions 8 (T11) 6 (14)
Kickoff Returns 80 (1) 72 (3)
Kickoff Return Average 17.6 (10) 17.1 (13)
Turnover Margin -0.36 (13) 0.27 (9)
Sacks By 3 (19) 8 (T13)
Sacks Against 9 (T9) 14 (T14)

Recent Roster Moves (most recently first)
Date Action Player
4/20 Waived Prentice Taylor
4/20 Waived Jarrail Jackson
4/20 Waived CoCo Blalock
4/20 Waived Jason Walters
4/15 Activated from IR Ricky Wood
4/15 Activated from IR Jarrail Jackson
4/15 Signed Curt Lessman
4/9 Signed off Practice Squad Tyronn Johnson
4/9 Signed to Practice Squad Chuck Hython
4/9 Placed on IR Jason Walters
4/6 Signed off Practice Squad Jay McDunogh
4/6 Placed on IR Kelron Sykes
4/5 Signed to Practice Squad Tyronn Johnson
4/2 Waived Demont Smith
4/2 Waived Tyronn Johnson
4/2 Signed Matt Anderle
4/2 Signed to Practice Squad Jay McDunogh
4/1 Activated from IR Titcus Pettigrew
4/1 Placed on IR Chris Angel
4/1 Placed on IR Ricky Wood
4/1 Signed to Practice Squad Patrick Humphery
3/30 Signed Del Lee
3/27 Waived John Rayborn
3/18 Signed off Practice Squad Jason Walters
3/18 Signed Gunnard Twyner
3/16 Released Tony Plantin
3/15 Placed on IR Titcus Pettigrew
3/10 Signed to Practice Squad Jason Walters
3/10 Signed off Practice Squad Lavar Glover
3/9 Placed on IR Jarrail Jackson
3/3 Placed on IR Antwon Jones
3/3 Signed off Practice Squad Matt D'Orazio
3/3 Activated from IR Richard McCleskey
2/28 Signed Thomie Venisee
2/28 Signed to Practice Squad Demont Smith
2/28 Signed to Practice Squad Lavar Glover
2/28 Waived Kenny Jackson
2/28 Activated from IR Kenny Jackson
2/27 Signed Corey Hill
2/27 Signed to Practice Squad Matt D'Orazio
2/24 Waived Tony Locke
2/24 Waived Donovan Arp
2/24 Waived Matt D'Orazio
2/24 Waived Corey Hill
2/24 Activated from IR Ryan Sloth
2/19 Signed off Practice Squad Tony Locke
2/18 Signed off Practice Squad Antwon Jones
2/18 Placed on Injured Reserve Prentice Taylor
2/17 Placed on Injured Reserve Jason Collins-Baker
2/13 Signed off Practice Squad Titcus Pettigrew
2/13 Signed to Practice Squad Tony Locke
2/12 Placed on Injured Reserve Ryan Sloth
2/12 Signed to Practice Squad Antwon Jones
2/12 Signed off Practice Squad Matt D'Orazio

BACKLESS SECOND HALF
For most of the second half last week against the Tampa Bay Storm, the Destroyers were without a fullback. Both of the team's running backs had to leave the game due to injuries. Together Wilmont Perry and Ricky Wood accounted for 17 yards of offense and 1.5 tackles in the match.

DOUBLE THREAT
In a pass-dominated league, Destroyers quarterback Ryan Vena has proven to be a true double threat, moving his team downfield with his legs as well as his arm. Last week versus the Storm, Vena led the team in rushing for the fifth time in nine games played this season after gaining 27 yards on five caries with one touchdown. Last week was his fourth game this season with 20 or more yards rushing. Vena currently leads the Destroyers rushing attack, having gained 133 yards on 37 carries. He also leads the team in rushing touchdowns with eight on the season.

MOVIN' ON UP
In his rookie season with the Destroyers, Quarterback Ryan Vena has quickly ascended towards the top of the Destroyers' all-time rushing list for a single season as well as career. In only nine games, Vena is currently fifth all-time in Destroyers history with 133 yards rushing and with his last score Sunday versus Tampa Bay, moved up to fourth all-time in rushing touchdowns with eight on the season. Vena's 133 yards gained on the ground is only 27 short of the all-time record for rushing yards in a single season (160/Tony Burse-1999).

FACEOFF WITH FORMER COACH
The Columbus Destroyers will be facing their former head coach for the first time this season. Selesky, who coached the Destroyers to a 5-11 mark last season, rejoined the Cobras for his first stint as head coach two weeks ago, after spending the 2000 season as an assistant coach.

STREAKY DESTROYERS
The Destroyers have won and lost games in streaks all season with exception of their first win. After losing the home opener to the Cobras the Destroyers went onto lose six straight. Coming back from a week off the Destroyers one both of their games in a two-game home stand and have gone on to lose the next two. Things might be looking up though. Last season, when they beat the Cobras they went on a three-game streak of coming out on top.

LONG RANGE GUNNARD
Offensive specialist Gunnard Twyner blasted his way back with the Destroyers two weeks ago with three catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns in his second game back with the team. In the last pair of games, Twyner has proven to be a deep threat, scoring all three of his touchdowns on reception of 30 yards or more. Last week though was the first time in three weeks that he was kept out of the end zone.

THE TURNOVER TREND
Three. That is the number of games the Destroyers have won when they win the turnover battle. The Destroyers are 0-5 when they lose it. Every single one of their wins has come when the loose balls have rolled their way, further proving that the team that wins turnovers wins games.

BABY RUTH REAL DEAL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
WEEK OPPONENT PLAYER
One Indiana Brett Bech (IND)
Two CAROLINA Cornelius White (CLB)
Three Philadelphia Nick Browder (PHI)
Four DALLAS Cornelius White (CLB)
Five Arizona Sherdrick Bonner (AZ)
Six PHILADELPHIA Ricky Ross (PHI)
Seven New York Aaron Garcia (NY)
Eight ORLANDO Ryan Vena (CLB)
Nine NEW YORK Gunnard Twyner (CLB)
Ten New Orleans John Fitzgerald (NO)
Eleven TAMPA BAY Shane Stafford (TB)
Twelve Carolina
Thirteen GEORGIA
Fourteen GRAND RAPIDS
Fifteen Dallas
Sixteen Las Vegas

US ARMY IRONMAN OF THE GAME
WEEK OPPONENT PLAYER
One Indiana Sedrick Robinson (CLB)
Two CAROLINA Wilky Bazile (CLB)
Three Philadelphia Ricky Ross (PHI)
Four DALLAS Wilky Bazile (CLB)
Five Arizona Wendall Gaines (AZ)
Six PHILADELPHIA Sean Scott (PHI)
Seven New York Richmond Flowers (NY)
Eight ORLANDO Sedrick Robinson (CLB)
Nine NEW YORK Cornelius White (CLB)
Ten New Orleans Aaron Hamilton (NO)
Eleven TAMPA BAY TT Toliver (TB)
Twelve Carolina
Thirteen GEORGIA
Fourteen GRAND RAPIDS
Fifteen Dallas
Sixteen Las Vegas

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
WEEK OPPONENT PLAYER
One Indiana Anthony Derricks (IND)
Two CAROLINA Damon Mason (CAR)
Three Philadelphia Joe Todd (PHI)
Four DALLAS Chris Angel (CLB)
Five Arizona Bo Kelly (AZ)
Six PHILADELPHIA Joseph Todd (PHI)
Seven New York Terrance Joseph (NY)
Eight ORLANDO JoJo Polk (CLB)
Nine NEW YORK JoJo Polk (CLB)
Ten New Orleans Monty Montgomery (NO)
Eleven TAMPA BAY Kelvin Kinney (TB)
Twelve Carolina
Thirteen GEORGIA
Fourteen GRAND RAPIDS
Fifteen Dallas
Sixteen Las Vegas




PLAYERS TO WATCH:

COLUMBUS DESTROYERS

OS Sedrick Robinson: Robinson has wowed crowds all this season, scoring touchdowns by any means necessary. He has three rushing, two returns and ten receptions for touchdowns. The only person on the team to outscore Robinson is WR/LB Cornelius White. He leads the team in all and kickoff returns with 43 for 908 yards and is third on the team in receptions with 44 and second 560 yards.

WR/LB Cornelius White: Led the Destroyers in 2003 with 63 receptions and was second on the team with 760 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. Through ten games, he sat out last week due to an ankle injury, White is the Destroyers leading receiver, having caught 63 balls (tied 17th in AFL) for 917 yards (1th in AFL) and 18 touchdowns.

DS JoJo Polk: A three-year veteran who last season set the Destroyers record for tackles in a single season (86.5/5th in AFL) in his first season with the team. In week two, Polk had one interception, which he returned four yards for the game-winning touchdown. He is leading the team with 50.5 tackles (15th in AFL) through twelve weeks of play and leads team with 9 passes defended, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.

WR/DB Gunnard Twyner: Led the Destroyers last year in receiving through nine games before missing the rest of the season with a collarbone injury. Ended the season second in receptions (56), first in yards (846) and in scoring with 96 points. He still holds the individual season record of 15.1 yards per catch average. With the Destroyers this season he has caught six passes for 142 yards and three touchdowns. All three of his touchdowns have come on passes of 30 yards or more.

Carolina Cobras

QB Matt Nagy: Nagy is the Cobras leading passer, throwing with a 64.9 percent completion rate, 47 touchdowns and only six interceptions. The last time the Destroyers took on Carolina Nagy passed for 296 yards and five touchdowns including the winning score with a goose egg on the clock.

OS Todd Doxson: Leads team in receptions, yards and touchdowns with 83 catches for 946 yards and 18 touchdowns. Doxson tore up the Destroyers secondary in week two catching 10 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns.

WR/DB Damien Broce: Second on team but close on the heels of Doxson in every aspect with 55 receptions for 663 yards and 17 touchdowns. Ninety-one of those yards and three touchdowns came in Columbus.

DS Damon Mason: Leads team in tackles with 60.0, two interceptions, three passes broken up and one fumble recovered. He had 11.5 tackles in the last match with the Destroyers.


HOME .............................................................................. 2-4
AWAY .............................................................................. 1-4
FRIDAY ........................................................................... 0-2
SATURDAY ..................................................................... 2-3
SUNDAY ......................................................................... 1-3
VS EASTERN .................................................................. 1-5
VS CENTRAL .................................................................. 1-0
VS WESTERN ................................................................ 0-1
VS SOUTHERN ............................................................... 1-2
FEBRUARY ...................................................................... 1-3
MARCH ............................................................................ 0-3
APRIL ............................................................................... 2-2
MAY .................................................................................. 0-0
SCORE FIRST ................................................................. 1-2
OPPONENT SCORE FIRST ........................................... 2-6
AHEAD AT HALF............................................................. 1-4
BEHIND AT HALF .......................................................... 1-4
TIED AT HALF ............................................................... 1-0
AHEAD AFTER THREE QT ............................................ 2-1
BEHIND AFTER THREE QT .......................................... 1-7
TIED AFTER THREE QT ................................................ 0-0
PLUS TURNOVER RATIO ............................................. 3-2
EVEN TURNOVER RATIO ............................................ 0-1
MINUS TURNOVER RATIO ........................................... 0-5
MORE TOTAL OFFENSE ............................................... 0-4
LESS TOTAL OFFENSE ................................................. 3-4
OUTCOME 7 POINTS OR LESS ................................... 1-1
OUTCOME 3 POINTS OR LESS ..................................... 0-2
OVERTIME ........................................................................ 0-0
PLAY ON NBC ................................................................. 0-1
NOT ON NBC .................................................................. 3-7


2004 DESTROYERS TEAM LEADERS

Passing: Ryan Vena: 155-239/ 1,968 yards/32 touchdowns
Receiving: Cornelius White: 63 catches/917 yds/18 TDs
Rushing: Ryan Vena: 37 rushes/133 yards/8 TD
Kick Returns: Sedrick Robinson: 43 returns
Kick Return Yards: Sedrick Robinson: 908 yards
Tackles: JoJo Polk: 50.5 total tackles

2004 DESTROYERS GAME HIGHS

Pass Attempts: John Rayborn-41 at NY/ March 20
Pass Completions: Ryan Vena-22 vs CAR/Feb. 13
Passing Yds: Ryan Vena-271 at NO/April 10
Passing TDs: 5/ 4 times, most recently: Ryan Vena at NO/ April 18
Receptions: Sedrick Robinson-14 at NY/March 20
Receiving Yds: Cornelius White-154 at NO/April 18
Receiving TDs: Sedrick Robinson-3 at NO/ April 18
Rushes: Ryan Vena-7 at ARIZ/Mar. 5
Rushing Yds: Ryan Vena-37 at NO/ April 18
Rushing TDs: Ryan Vena- 2 at ARIZ/ Mar 5 & vs PHI Mar. 13, Sedrick Robinson- 2 vs. NYD/ April 10
Kick Returns: Sedrick Robinson- 7 at NO/ April 18
Kick Return Yds: Sedrick Robinson-138 at NO/ April 18
Tackles: 7.5 twice/ last JoJo Polk vs TB/ April 25
Pass Deflections: JoJo Polk-3 at NY/March 20
Interceptions: 1 (6x) last-LaVar Glover at NO/ April 18

AFL Standings
American Central
Team Win Loss Div
Colorado 8 4 3-2
Chicago 7 3 3-1
Indiana 6 6 3-2
Detroit 4 7 2-2
Grand Rapids 1 10 1-5
American Western
San Jose 9 2 3-0
Los Angeles 7 4 2-2
Arizona 7 5 1-2
Las Vegas 4 7 1-3
National Eastern
Dallas 6 5 4-2
New York 6 5 2-3
Philadelphia 5 6 4-2
Carolina 4 7 3-2
Columbus 3 8 1-5
National Southern
New Orleans 9 2 3-1
Austin 6 5 3-2
Orlando 6 5 3-3
Tampa Bay 5 7 3-3
Georgia 4 8 2-4



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 28, 2004


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