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Columbus Destroyers Weekly: Week 10 Vs. Dallas Desperados

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


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Destroyers will take on their Eastern Division rival Dallas Desperados Saturday, May 3. Kickoff on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena is set for 7 p.m. (ET). Below is a look ahead at this week's opponent, practice schedule, team news and notes and broadcast information.

DESTROYERS/DESPERADOS PREVIEW: The Destroyers will enter the second half of their 2008 season as they welcome the Dallas Desperados (7-0) on Saturday. Dallas leads the series between the two teams winning eight of 10 contests. The Destroyers will be coming off their bye week and the Desperados will be playing on a short week as they face an undefeated Philadelphia Soul (8-0) team tonight on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Monday Night.

The two teams last met on Mar. 7 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, with the Desperados claiming a 46-36 victory in front of 12,432 fans. Dallas jumped out to a 14-0 lead to begin the game and never looked back as they led by double digits for the majority of the contest. Destroyers quarterback Matt Nagy and receiver Derek Lee connected for four touchdowns (40, 45, 3 and 10 yards).

The Destroyers ended the Desperados 2007 season with a 66-59 victory at American Airlines Center in the Divisional Round of the National Conference Playoffs. Dallas set a League record for most wins in a regular season (15) last year.

The Desperados are led by quarterback Clint Dolezel. One of the League's most prolific passers in history, Dolezel has completed 3,564-of-5,412 passes for 42,296 yards and 884 touchdowns. He is the League's all-time passing touchdown leader and is second all-time in completions and passing yards.

CENTURY MAN: With his second touchdown catch against the Philadelphia Soul last Monday night, Derek Lee became the 35th player in AFL history with 100 touchdown receptions. In his three-plus seasons, he has hauled in 394 passes for 4,443 yards. Including 21 touchdowns this season, Destroyers quarterback Matt Nagy and Lee have hooked up for 71 of the 100 touchdowns. Lee is currently tied for seventh in the AFL with 126 points scored, tied for seventh with 71 receptions and fourth in the League with 896 receiving yards.

DICKERSON PAYING DIVIDENDS: Defensive lineman Mondre Dickerson has made an immediate impact on the Destroyers defensive line since he was acquired on Apr. 11. In two games, he has been credited with 2.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 tackles (3UT-3AT). Now in his third season, the University of Tennessee product, has 20.5 tackles (15UT-11AT), 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in 20 career AFL games.

ON THE AIRWAVES: This week's contest between the Destroyers and Desperados can be heard on your home for Destroyers football, WNNK 107.1 FM with the broadcast tandem of Todd Walker (play-by-play), Rob Blackman (color commentator) and Archie (sideline reporter) on the call. Tune in at 6:30 p.m. (ET) as the Destroyers pre-game show gets underway with a one-on-one interview with Destroyers Head Coach Doug Kay, player interviews and insider information.

The game between Columbus and Dallas will be shown on the Columbus Sports Network (CSN) beginning at 7 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, May 3, with Randy Rhinehart (play-by-play), Greg Frey (color analyst) and Courtney George (sideline reporter). CSN can be found on Time Warner Mid-Ohio Division Channel 78, on the Insight cable system on Channels 78 and 524, Channel 97 on the WOW cable system over the air on Channel 32. UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: Several former football greats from The Ohio State University will make a special appearance during Buckeye Football Alumni Night presented by Crawford Communities on Saturday, May 3 when the Columbus Destroyers host the Dallas Desperados at 7 p.m. (ET). Buckeye football alumni scheduled to appear include Craig Krenzel, Mike Vrabel, Maurice Hall, Pete Johnson, Quinn Pittcock, Branden Joe, Andy Groom and Stan White, Jr. List of players is subject to change. The pre-game autograph session with the players runs from 6-6:45 p.m. with the Ohio State alumni located at various stations on the main concourse of Nationwide Arena. In conjunction with the autograph session, the Destroyers will be collecting new or gently used children's books to support the non-profit organization co-founded by Mike Vrabel, the 2nd and 7 Foundation, to promote literacy throughout Central Ohio. For more information on the Foundation, visit www.secondandseven.com. Starting with the game on Saturday, May 3 and continuing through the remaining home games of the season, fans are invited to the "Budweiser Tailgate Zone" on the McConnell St. plaza from 5-7 p.m. for beer from Budweiser, Bud Select and Bud Light, food from Roosters and Donatos, and prize giveaways. The Dispatch/Mix 97.1 Family Night package will also be available and includes four tickets, four hot dogs, four popcorns, four Pepsi products, four Dispatch Ice Haus skate passes, family discount admission to Pro Football Hall of Fame and one foam football for just $66.

TICKET INFORMATION: Single game tickets starting at just $15 are on sale now at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, ticketmaster Ticket Centers, ticketmaster.com, ColumbusDestroyers.com and FSN Ohio Blue Line team stores located at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing, Chiller Easton, Chiller Dublin and Chiller North. Only on game nights, the Huntington $10 Ticket Blitz offers available lower bowl seats, regularly priced at $26, for just $10 at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office two hours prior to game time. Also two hours before kickoff at the arena ticket office, college and high school students with a valid full-time student ID can purchase Raising Cane's Student Tickets for just $7. Students receive a voucher for a FREE Raising Cane's box combo with each ticket purchased.

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