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Columbus Destroyers game notes

March 23, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
New York (5-2) at
Columbus Destroyers (1-6)
Date: Saturday, March 26, 2005
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. (ET)
Site: Nationwide Arena (17,171)
Officials: Terry Brown, Referee; Rick Lowe, Umpire; Rusty Baynes, Head Linesman; Gary Caveletto, Line Judge; Scott Helverson, Back Judge
Radio: Columbus' flagship station WAZU-107.1 FM "The Big Wazoo" will broadcast the game live with Rob Blackman and Greg Frey.
Television: FSN-OH (Jeff Piecoro, Jim Lachey, Jim Day)
Series Record: The Dragons hold a 6-4 all-time series advantage over the Destroyers in 10 series meetings.
Series Streaks: The Destroyers and Dragons first met on June 12, 1999 when the Destroyers played out of Buffalo and the Dragons were known as the Iowa Barnstormers. The Barnstormers won the first two meetings over the Destroyers before moving to New York in 2001. Since the Barnstormers moved to New York, the Destroyers and Dragons have split eight games with each team winning four times. The Destroyers have lost three out of four games in New York, however have won three of the last four over the Dragons played at home.
Coaches: Columbus, Chris Spielman, 1st season (1-6 in 2005, 1-6 overall). New York, Weylan Harding, 1stseason (5-2 in 2005, 5-2 overall).

OVERVIEW: Following a 52-37 loss last Sunday to the Colorado Crush, the Destroyers now find themselves exactly where they were at this point last season, 1-6 through seven games. It was at this point in the season last year that the team began to turn it around, finishing above the .500 mark during the second half of the season. The Destroyers look to once again turn the tides of their season beginning Saturday against their divisional foes, the New York Dragons, who are currently atop the Eastern Division through eight weeks of play. The Destroyers will play their next two games at home against the Dragons and Philadelphia Soul, both who play out of the Eastern Division. The Dragons, coached by former Destroyers defensive coordinator Weylan Harding, are off to their best start since the 1999 season and best start since moving to New York in 2001. New York had won four consecutive games before dropping a 57-47 decision to the Austin Wranglers last Saturday night.

COLUMBUS DESTROYERS (1-6)
Date Opponent Time Result Record
1/28 NASHVILLE 7:00 L (47-38) 0-1
2/13 @Dallas 3:00 L (35-31) 0-2
2/19 CHICAGO 7:00 W (52-39) 1-2
2/27 @Grand Rapids 3:00 L (66-57) 1-3
3/06 @Georgia 2:00 L (55-48) 1-4
3/12 LAS VEGAS 7:00 L (63-34) 1-5
3/20 @Colorado 3:00 L (52-37) 1-6
3/26 NEW YORK 7:00 - -
4/03 PHILADELPHIA 12:00 - -
4/08 @Arizona 10:00 - -
4/16 @New Orleans 8:00 - -
4/22 DALLAS 7:00 - -
4/30 AUSTIN 7:00 - -
5/07 @New York 7:00 - -
5/15 @Philadelphia 1:00 - -
5/22 TAMPA BAY 3:00 - -
*All Times Eastern

NEW YORK DRAGONS (5-2)
Date Opponent Time Result Record
2/06 DALLAS 1:00 W (55-45) 1-0
2/11 @Las Vegas 10:00 L (41-37) 1-1
2/19 NASHVILLE 7:00 W (62-49) 2-1
2/27 ARIZONA 3:00 W (61-37) 3-1
3/06 @Philadelphia 12:00 W (61-54) 4-1
3/12 GEORGIA 7:00 W (53-51) 5-1
3/19 @Austin 8:30 L (57-47) 5-2
3/26 @Columbus 7:00
4/02 CHICAGO 7:00
4/10 @Los Angeles 3:00
4/15 @Orlando 7:30
4/24 PHILADELPHIA 1:00
4/29 @Dallas 8:30
5/07 COLUMBUS 7:00
5/15 @Tampa Bay 1:00
5/21 COLORADO 7:00
*All Times Eastern

A COLUMBUS WIN OVER NEW YORK WOULD...

· Give the Destroyers their second win of the season
· Give the Destroyers their second home win of the season
· End the Destroyers' four-game losing streak
· Give the Destroyers their first win over a divisional opponent
· Give the Destroyers their second consecutive win over the Dragons

DESTROYERS Last Week:
Colorado Crush wide receiver/defensive back Kevin McKenzie intercepted a Ryan Vena pass early in the fourth quarter and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown to break open what had been a closely contested game as the Colorado Crush bested the Columbus Destroyers, 52-37, at the Pepsi Center last Sunday afternoon. Vena made his first start of the season for the Destroyers, completing 24-of-39 passes for 308 yards and four touchdowns with three interceptions. His 308 yards passing was a season-high. Offensive Specialist Damien Groce led Columbus' aerial attack with a game-high 11 catches for 141 yardsQuarterback John Dutton led Colorado to their fourth win in a row after completing 17-of-29 passes for 185 yards and three touchdowns before being named Offensive Player of the Game. Offensive specialist Damian Harrell finished with four catches for 53 yards and a score. The Crush enjoyed an early 15-point advantage following a pair of touchdown passes by Dutton and a mishandled kick return recovered in the endzone for a touchdown by McCullough to give Colorado a 21-6 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Destroyers bounced back with 13 unanswered points early in the second quarter, first on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Vena to receiver/linebacker Cornelius White followed by another 30-yard connection, this time between Vena and offensive specialist Randall Lane. Colorado added a touchdown late in the second and the Destroyers tacked on a field goal on the final play of the quarter to cut the deficit to six. The Destroyers trailed 28-22 at the break. The Destroyers recovered an on-side kick to open up the second half, taking over possession of the ball on their own 16 yard-line. Six plays later, Robinson found the endzone on a seven-yard sweep to give the Destroyers their first lead of the game at 29-28 with 11:06 left in the third quarter. The Crush would outscore the Destroyers 21-8 in the fourth quarter, including two interceptions returned for touchdowns, to take control of the game and remain atop the Central Division through eight weeks of play.
THIS WEEK's OPPONENT:
The Destroyers return home Saturday to play the first of consecutive home games at Nationwide Arena. First up is the New York Dragons, who are off to their best start in six years and sport the second-best record in the league at 5-2. First-year head coach Weylan Harding returns to Columbus for the first time since accepting the head coaching position for the Dragons this fall. Harding spent the previous four seasons as defensive coordinator for the Destroyers. Harding also spent one season as a defensive specialist for the Destroyers (2000) before beginning his coaching career in 2001. New York brings a balanced attack, featuring the fifth-best scoring offense in the league (53.7) and sixth-best scoring defense in the league (47.7). New York has recorded a league-high 15 interceptions this season led by Billy Parker and Corey Johnson. Parker has five picks this season (2nd in AFL) and Johnson has four (T-3rd in AFL). As a result, the Dragons are +9 in the turnover margin, which is tied for the league lead. The New York offense is led by 10-year AFL veteran quarterback Aaron Garcia, who is one of the league's all-time leading passers. Entering Saturday's game, Garcia is the highest rated QB in the league (121.5) and is in the top ten in virtually all passing categories. He has completed 141-of-211 passes for 1,725 yards and 37 touchdowns with only five interceptions.
LAST MEETING WITH NEW YORK:
The Destroyers failed to score on their first possession of the game, however would go on to score every time they got the ball after that as they bested the New York Dragons with a 65-55 victory in front of a sellout crowd of 17,171 at Nationwide Arena on April 10, 2004. The two teams traded touchdowns for most of the first half, including the longest of the game; a 36-yard strike from Vena to Gunnard Twyner for Twyner's first catch and touchdown of the season to put the Destroyers up 21-14. The Destroyers went into halftime with a seven point lead 28-21 after scoring their last touchdown with only 33 seconds left. The game's pivotal play of the game came on the second play of the fourth quarter when Garcia fumbled the ball at his own 24 yard-line only to be recovered by Destroyers' FB/LB Wilmont Perry at mid-field. The Destroyers' offense took advantage of the turnover five plays and 25 yards later with the second rushing touchdown for Robinson to go on top for good, 49-35 The two teams continued to trade touchdowns until, after Columbus made the score 63-49, New York WR/DB fumbled the ball backwards at the five yard-line into the endzone and against the wall for the safety giving the Destroyers two more points, 65-49
ALL-TIME SERIES RESULTS VS IOWA/NEW YORK
Date Score
June 12, 1999 IOWA 49, BUFFALO 42
April 22, 2000 IOWA 56, BUFFALO 35
April 27, 2001 NEW YORK 70, BUFFALO 58
June 8, 2001 BUFFALO 58, NEW YORK 51
April 28, 2002 NEW YORK 69, BUFFALO 54
June 8, 2002 BUFFALO 40, NEW YORK 35
April 6, 2003 BUFFALO 46, NEW YORK 39
May 11, 2003 NEW YORK 49, BUFFALO 30
March 20, 2004 NEW YORK 62, COLUMBUS 41
April 10, 2004 COLUMBUS 65, NEW YORK 55

DESTROYERS NOTABLES:

A GAME FILLED WITH EMOTION
The Destroyers enter Saturday's game with New York in need of a win after four consecutive loses. The game will have added incentive for both teams due to the fact that the players and coaches involved have personal and professional ties to their opponent. Dragons head coach Weylan Harding spent one season as defensive backs coach (2000) and three seasons as defensive coordinator for the Destroyers (2002-2004), coaching alongside Destroyers offensive coordinator Pete Costanza for one season (2004) and Destroyers defensive backs coach Vinnie Clark for one season (2000). Dragons assistant coaches Chad Lindsey and Jerome Brown spent one season on the sidelines alongside Harding with the Buffalo Destroyers in 2003.

Destroyers DS Donvetis Franklin began his career with the Dragons, spending his first three seasons in the league with New York from 2002-2004. Franklin led the league in tackles as a member of the Dragons with 93.5 stops in 2003. Destroyers OS Damien Groce spent two seasons with New York, playing alongside Franklin from 2002-2003.Dragons DS Chris Angel returns to Columbus after spending his rookie season with the Destroyers in 2004. Angel is currently fourth in the league in tackles with 50.5 stops and tenth in the league in pass deflections with seven.

A CHANGE OF PACE
Destroyers backup quarterback Ryan Vena made his first start of the season last week in Colorado after spending the past three four as a back up to Matt D'Orazio. Vena, known for his playmaking ability, finished 24-of-39 for 308 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for 28 yards in the game. The 308 yards passing was a career-high for Vena and a season-high for the Destroyers.

RETURN TO SENDER
The Destroyers and Dragons feature two of the top return games in the AFL. New York is currently second in the AFL in average yards per return (21.4) and Columbus currently ranks third with 20.8 yards per return. The Destroyers are first in return yards (937), while the Dragons rank seventh (748). The Dragons and Destroyers are one-two in returns for touchdowns as the Dragons have six and the Destroyers have five this season. Saturday's game will feature some of the premier return men of the AFL, for Columbus, Damien Groce and Sedrick Robinson, and for New York, William Holder and Corey Johnson. In Columbus, Groce is currently sixth in the league, averaging 21.9 yards per return and Robinson is tenth, averaging 21.1 yards per return. Groce is seventh in the league with 460 return yards, while Robinson is ninth with 422 on the season. In addition, both Groce and Robinson are tied for second in the league with two returns for touchdowns this season. In New York, Corey Johnson is ninth in the AFL, averaging 21.4 yards per return. The Dragons have more kick returns for a TD than any other team in the league, led by Holder, who has three on the season (T-1st in AFL). Johnson follows Holder with two return for a score this season (T-2nd in AFL). The Dragons are one of only two teams that have return a missed field goal for a score (Tampa Bay).

D DOING ITS PART
The Destroyers defense gave up just 31 points last week to the Crush, which in most cases will lead to a win in Arena football. However, Colorado scored 21 points off turnovers with the Destroyers defense on the sidelines to end up with 52 points in the game. First on a mishandled kick return recovered for a TD and then on consecutive interceptions returned for touchdowns. Colorado managed only 188 total offensive yards which was the second-lowest in franchise history and the fewest since Feb. 22, 2004 at Chicago.

THROWN IN THE FIRE
Destroyers rookie DS Brandon Hefflin began the season as an inactive player in street clothes watching from the sidelines. Just over a month later, Hefflin finds himself in the starting lineup and counted on as one of the club's top defensive stoppers. In six games, Hefflin is the Destroyers' second-leading tackler with 22.0 stops and shares the team-lead with seven pass deflections. He also has an interception returned 47 yards for a touchdown to his credit playing the middle DS position, dubbed the "toughest position to play in sports" by head coach Chris Spielman.

A CAREER YEAR
Offensive specialist Damien Groce, who is in his first year with the Destroyers, is on pace to have his best season as a pro in 2005. In seven games, Groce has 42 catches for 564 yards and seven touchdowns. He added a career-high 11 catches last week versus the Crush, good for 141 yards receiving. Groce is currently on pace to finish with 96 catches for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns. Those catch and yardage totals would be career highs. It would also be the first time Groce eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving in his four-year career. He is also on pace to eclipse 1,000 return yards for the first time in his career, with his previous high being 903 yards in 2004.

DESTROYERS TRADE POLK
Last week, the Destroyers traded one of the team's most tenured players in defensive specialist JoJo Polk to the Grand Rapids Rampage. Polk was in his third season with the Destroyers and was one of only five players retained for the days the team played out of Buffalo, NY. In return, the Destroyers acquired fullback/linebacker Sedrick Irvin. Irvin, who is in his rookie season in the AFL, was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round (103rd overall) in the 1999 NFL Draft. He played three seasons with the Lions, appearing in 20 games from 1999-2001 before spending the 2003 season with the Miami Dolphins. His NFL totals include 182 yards rushing, four rushing touchdowns and 33 pass receptions for 323 yards. Polk returns to the Rampage franchise after spending the past two and a half seasons with the Destroyers. He leaves as the club's all-time leader in single-season tackles (86.5) and career tackles (177.5). Polk began his career in Grand Rapids, spending two seasons with the Rampage from 2001-2002.

TAPERING OFF
The Destroyers have played well in the first quarter of ever game this season. The club has outscored their opponents 89-70 in the first quarter of play. However, on the season, the Destroyers have been outscored by their opponents in each successive quarter, being outscored 208-357 in the second, third and fourth quarters combined, including being outscored 112-66 in the fourth quarter alone.

REWRITING THE RECORD BOOKS
Wide receiver/linebacker Cornelius White became the Destroyers' all-time leading receiver in week one and continues to build on his mark in his third season with the team. He is currently two catches behind OS Bobby Olive, who is also still playing, to become the club's all-time leader in every major receiving category. He is currently the team's all-time leader in receiving yards (2,473), touchdowns scored (48), receiving touchdowns (47) and points scored (298). Olive currently is the club's all-time leader in career receptions (189), single-season receptions (106) and single-season receiving yards (1,184).

DESTROYERS CAREER RECEIVING LEADERS
Player Career Receptions
Bobby Olive 189 (1999-2002, 2005)
Cornelius White 187 (2003-2005)

Player Career Receiving Yards
Cornelius White 2,473 (2003-2005)
Bobby Olive 1,971 (1999-2002, 2005)

Player Career Receiving Touchdowns
Cornelius White 47 (2003-2005)
Darrick Branch 29 (1999-2001)

DESTROYERS SELL OUT AGAIN
The Destroyers sold out four of eight home games during their inaugural season, eventually averaging over 16,000 fans in attendance per home game in 2004. The club has picked up where they left off last season, having recorded sellout crowds of 17,171 in each of their first three home games this season. Nationwide Arena was sold out once again two weeks ago when the Destroyers hosted Las Vegas. The sellout was the seventh out of 11 home games in Columbus dating back to the club's inaugural season.

DESTROYERS TACKLE HUNGER
When the Columbus Destroyers kicked off the 2005 AFL season, the team also kicked off a new community initiative in conjunction with the Mid-Ohio FoodBank to "Tackle Hunger" in Central Ohio. Beginning with the home opener and continuing throughout the 2005 season, fans are asked to bring non-perishable food items to each home game at Nationwide Arena for donation to the Mid-Ohio FoodBank. In turn, fans will receive one raffle ticket per donated food item for a chance to win a team-autographed, authentic AFL football. One winner will be announced during the fourth quarter of each game. In addition to the eight-game collection drive, members of the Columbus Destroyers plan to further support the "Tackle Hunger" initiative with visits to the Mid-Ohio FoodBank to help pack boxes for distribution to local food pantries. Players and team personnel will also lend a hand at Faith Mission to serve meals and spend time with residents during several trips scheduled throughout the season.

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

2005 LEAGUE TEAM RANKINGS
Category (RANK) Columbus New York
Scoring Offense 42.4 (16th) 53.7 (5th)
Scoring Defense 51.0 (11th) 47.7 (6th)
Total Offense 255.3 (15th) 251.1 (17th)
Total Defense 261.0 (6th) 299.6 (12th)
Touchdowns Scored 40 (T-16th) 54 (T-9th)
Pass Offense 233.0 (14th) 236.9 (12th)
Pass Defense 229.4 (2nd) 280.3 (13th)
Rushing Offense 22.3 (7th) 14.3 (11th)
Rushing Defense 31.6 (16th) 19.3 (10th)
Field Goals Made 6-13 (T-5th) 3-9 (T-13th)
Field Goal Percentage .462 (7th) .333 (T-12th)
Kick Return Yards 937 (1st) 748 (7th)
Kickoff Return Average 20.8 (3rd) 21.4 (2nd)
Kick Return Touchdowns 5 (2nd) 6 (1st)
Kickoff Coverage 12.0 (1st) 16.9 (T-5th)
3rd Down Efficiency 24-58 (11th) 19-35 (2nd)
4th Down Efficiency 7-15 (7th) 1-5 (16th)
Red Zone Offense 21-29 (15th) 22-31 (16th)
Red Zone Defense 27-29 (17th) 34-45 (5th)
Avg. Time of Possession 29:20 (12th) 27:26 (16th)
Turnover Margin -11 (17th) +9 (1st)

NEXT WEEK
Following Saturday's game with New York, the Destroyers play the second of consecutive home games versus the Philadelphia Soul on Sunday, April 3 at Nationwide Arena for a nationally televised game to be aired live on NBC Sports. In addition to New York, The Soul are also Eastern Divisional rivals. The Destroyers and Soul met twice last season with the Destroyers coming up short on both occasions at home and on the road.

DESTROYERS RECENT Transactions:

3/18/05: Signed defensive specialist Justin Isom off the practice squad

3/17/05: Traded defensive specialist JoJo Polk to Grand Rapids for fullback/linebacker Sedrick Irvin; signed lineman Ronnie Washburn; activated lineman LaKendrick Jones; placed lineman Norris McCleary on injured reserve

3/3/05: Activated linemen Troy Pelshak and Bryan Ray off injured reserve; placed fullback/linebacker Chris Pope and lineman LaKendrick Jones on injured reserve

3/1/05: Signed wide receiver/linebacker Chris Curd to the practice squad

2/24/05: Signed offensive specialist Randall Lane off the practice squad

2/17/05: Activated fullback/linebacker Juan Long off injured reserve

2/15/05: Released quarterback Chad Salisbury

2/15/05: Waived wide receiver/linebacker D.J. Humphries

2/15/05: Signed quarterback Ryan Vena

2/15/05: Traded lineman Carey Clayton to Nashville for defensive specialist Art Smith (Other League Exempt: NFL-Green Bay)

1/26/05: Signed quarterback Scott McMullen to practice squad

1/26/05: Signed offensive specialist Randall Lane to practice squad

1/26/05: Signed defensive specialist Justin Isom to practice squad

1/26/05: Signed defensive specialist Bobby Britton to practice squad


COLUMBUS DESTROYERS 2005 RECORD WHEN...
HOME 1-2
AWAY 0-4
FRIDAY 0-1
SATURDAY 1-1
SUNDAY 0-4
VS EASTERN 0-1
VS CENTRAL 1-3
VS WESTERN 0-1
VS SOUTHERN 0-1
JANUARY 0-1
FEBRUARY 1-2
MARCH 0-3
APRIL 0-0
MAY 0-0
SCORE FIRST 1-5
OPPONENT SCORE FIRST 0-1
AHEAD AT HALF 1-2
BEHIND AT HALF 0-4
TIED AT HALF 0-0
AHEAD AFTER 3RD QTR 1-1
BEHIND AFTER 3RD QTR 0-5
TIED AFTER 3RD QTR 0-0
PLUS TURNOVER RATIO 1-0
EVEN TURNOVER RATIO 0-1
MINUS TURNOVER RATIO 0-5
MORE TOTAL OFFENSE 1-2
LESS TOTAL OFFENSE 0-4
OUTCOME 7 POINTS OR LESS 0-2
OUTCOME 3 POINTS OR LESS 0-0
OVERTIME 0-0



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 23, 2005


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