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Columbus Destroyers Re-Sign Six Players for 2009 Season

July 14, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Destroyers have re-signed fullback Harold Wells, center Will Rabatin, offensive linemen Howard Duncan and Jason Hilliard, kicker Mark Lewis and quarterback Justin Zwick club Partner, General Manager and President Jim Renacci announced today.

"We are looking to re-establish a championship team here in Columbus," Renacci said. "The re-signing of these key, core players who were a part of our 2007 National Conference championship team is the first step in making a run to ArenaBowl XXIII."

Wells (6-0, 270, Gardner Webb), the franchise's all-time leading rusher, returns for his third season with the Destroyers. He was recently named to the AFL's All-Ironman team after rushing 104 times for 224 yards (sixth in the AFL) and 17 touchdowns (third in the AFL), while adding 19 receptions for 178 yards and seven touchdowns. He set career highs in rushing touchdowns, receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. The Ft. Gorden, Ga. native added 18.5 tackles (15UT-7AT) and two tackles for loss on the defensive side of the ball.

Rabatin (6-2, 305, Louisville) started in 15 games at center for the Destroyers this past season. He recently was named First Team All-Arena, one year after her garnered AFL All-Rookie Team honors. He is the only player in franchise history to earn All-Arena honors in consecutive seasons.

Duncan (6-4, 300, Oklahoma) started in all 16 games for the Destroyers in 2008. A member of the 2007 National Conference champion Destroyers, he caught five passes for 52 yards this season and was named Second Team All-Arena. He is the only member of the offensive line to start in the team's last 36-consecutive contests.

Hilliard (6-6, 320, Louisville) played in 12 of the Destroyers' 16 games this past season and hauled in a seven-yard pass. In 2007, he started all 16 games and was a member of the offensive unit that surrendered the fewest amount of sacks in franchise history (13). He also caught his first career AFL touchdown in ArenaBowl XXI New Orleans.

Zwick (6-4, 225, Ohio State), an AFL rookie in 2008, spent the campaign as the backup to veteran Matt Nagy. He completed his only pass attempt of the season, a 47-yard touchdown strike against the Grand Rapids Rampage on June 14. The Orrville, Ohio, native starred at Orrville (1998-99) and Massillon Washington High Schools (2000-01) earning prep All-American honors and finished his career among the most prolific passers in Ohio history. After redshirting as a freshman, he played four seasons for the Buckeyes from 2003-06, completing 158-of-276 passes for 1,779 yards and seven touchdowns. As a sophomore, he led the team to a 2004 Alamo Bowl win over Oklahoma State by completing 17-of-27 for 189 yards and a touchdown.

Lewis (5-9, 180, Florida International) converted 80-of-93 extra point attempts and 8-of-19 field goals for 104 points this past season. He spent the 2007 season with the Austin Wranglers, connecting on a career-high 110-of-118 extra point attempts (third in the AFL) and 15-of-25 on field goal attempts (tied for fourth) for 155 points (second) en route to earning Kicker of the Year honors. In 2006, with the Destroyers, he went 65-of-70 on PATs and 22-of-35 on field goals for 131 points. He also converted a career-long 53-yard field goal attempt March 25, 2006 at Colorado.

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