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Columbus Destroyers Game Notes

April 17, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


DESTROYERS/SOUL PREVIEW: The Destroyers and Soul (7-0, 1-0) will meet for their ninth time in the history of the two franchises with the series tied at four games apiece. Columbus has had the upper hand the past two seasons winning three of four contests.

The two last teams met on in Columbus on April 23, 2007, on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Monday Night. The Destroyers were victorious 44-21 in front of 14,664 fans at Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena. In their last two visits to Columbus, the Soul has scored a combined 41 points (20 on Mar. 18, 2006).

The Soul is led by Columbus native and former Destroyers quarterback Matt D'Orazio. The Otterbein graduate, has led unbeaten Philadelphia to its last four victories with quarterback Tony Graziani sidelined with a knee injury. In four games he has completed 114-of-170 passes for 1,329 yards, 26 touchdowns and two interceptions, vaulting him as the AFL's highest rated quarterback (123.9).

Among his targets is one of the League's leading receivers Chris Jackson. The Washington State graduate, now in his ninth AFL season, ranks among the top-five in all receiving categories this season. He is the League's leading scorer (156 points), tied for second in receptions (65) and second in receiving yards (851).

DESTROYERS/DRAGONS RECAP: The Destroyers road woes continued against the New York Dragons as they fell 62-44 at Nassau Coliseum last Sunday in front of 7,346 fans. Columbus now has a 1-3 record away from Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena this season. Future AFL Hall-of-Fame quarterback Aaron Garcia, led the Dragons offense completing 27-of-37 passes for 298 yards and eight touchdowns.

Although the Destroyers defensive front was able to sack Garcia three times totaling a loss of 22 yards, Columbus was only able to score touchdowns on 5-of-10 offensive possessions. Matt Nagy completed 18-of-36 passes for 273 yards and five touchdowns. Derek Lee led the Destroyers receivers with eight receptions for 106 yards and three touchdowns. Rasheed Marshall has emerged as Columbus' kick return specialist, returning six kickoffs for 159 yards including a 57-yard effort for a touchdown tying a franchise mark for longest return (Sedrick Robinson-2004 and Damien Groce-2005).

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