Columbus Destroyers Weekly

Published on May 8, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Destroyers (5-4), presented by Germain, will host foes from the state of Michigan, the Grand Rapids Rampage (3-6) on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena on Friday, May 11, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. (ET).

THIS WEEK: This week's match-up between the clubs marks the eighth in history with the Rampage holding a 5-2 advantage in the series. The teams met to open the 2006 season on Jan. 29. The Destroyers were victorious 59-28 as the defense were able to stop the Rampage on six-of-eleven possessions in the win. Former Destroyers quarterback John Kaleo led the way completing 23-of-42 passes for 256 yards and four touchdowns. The Rampage are led by QB Chad Salisbury (6-6, 240, Buffalo) in five games this season he's completed 104-of-161 passes for 1,097 yards, 24 touchdowns and four interceptions. Among his favorite targets is WR Timon Marshall. He leads the team with 57 receptions for 688 yards and 16 touchdowns. The Rampage are 17th in the AFL in total offense putting up close to 262 yards of offense and defensively are next to last surrendering 321 yards to opposing offenses.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE: The practice schedule for this week is below. Practices times and locations are subject to change. All practices at the Columbus FieldHouse are open to the public. Practices/Walk-Thru's at Nationwide Arena are closed to the public.

Day Event Time Place

Tuesday, May 8 Practice 9:30-11:35 a.m. Nationwide Arena

Wednesday, May 9 Practice 10-11:50 a.m. Nationwide Arena

Thursday, May 10 Walk-Thru Practice 9-10 a.m. Nationwide Arena

LAST WEEK: The Destroyers defeated Eastern Division rival the New York Dragons, 51-42, in front of 14,009 fans on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena. Offensive Player of the Game quarterback Matt Nagy completed 18-of-28 passes for 238 yards and five touchdowns. "Ironman" of the Game B.J. Barre was called upon to help the defensive backfield as Rober' Freeman departed the game early in the first quarter with a knee injury. Barre finished with a game-high 10.5 tackles and caught three passes for 66 yards and led the Destroyers with two-touchdown receptions. The AFL's sack leader Ken Jones was at it again as he was able to sack Dragons QB Aaron Garcia twice. Jones now leads the league with 8.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss.

BRINGIN THE "D": The Destroyers defense is holding its opponents to an average of 47 points per contest, fourth best in the AFL. In 2006, the defense held its opponents to 44.8 points, second best scoring defense in the AFL.

The defense is among the league leaders when it comes to allowing opposing offenses to convert on third and fourth down situations. The Destroyers have combined to allow 36 first downs on 81 attempts (44.4%), fourth in the league. The Dallas Desperados lead the AFL on third and fourth down allowing opposing offenses a first down 37 of 95 attempts (38.9%).

JOLTING JONES: Ken Jones is the all-time franchise leader in sacks with 15.5 to his credit. Last season he eclipsed the mark of Kerwin Hairston by leading the Destroyers with five sacks in 2006. This season he has set a franchise record for sacks in a season with 8.5. He sacked Rush QB Matt D'Orazio twice in Week 4, Georgia's Chris Griesen for 1.5 in Week 5, while stripping the ball and recovering it on one occasion, a pair of sacks on Apr. 23 against Soul QB Clint Stoerner and last week against the New York Dragons he was able to get a hold of QB Aaron Garcia twice.

Being able to get pressure on the quarterback is his specialty and he's making a statement against offensive lineman as he leads the AFL in sacks with 8.5 (8UT-1AT) and holds the league lead in tackles for loss with 12 (8.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles in the backfield).

CATCH HIM IF YOU CAN: Wide receiver Damien Groce torched the Wranglers secondary in Week 7, as he caught 13 passes for 129 yards and set a franchise record with five touchdown receptions. Against the Soul on April 23rd he hauled in a game-high nine passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns. On the season, he leads the team with 70 receptions (T-13th in the AFL) for 822 yards (16th in the AFL) and 19 touchdowns. He also is third in the league with 25 kick returns for 582 yards (23.2 avg.) and one touchdown, giving him 1,455 all-purpose yards, which ranks him sixth in the AFL.

DESTROYERS ON TELEVISION: The next edition of Columbus Sports Network's weekly magazine show, Destroyers Digest, will air on Thursday, May 10, at 5:30 p.m. The show provides in-depth coverage and analysis of the team and the AFL. CSN's lead anchor Ray Crawford is the host of the half-hour show. Scheduled to appear on this week's show is Head Coach Doug Kay, QB Matt Nagy, WR Damien Groce, WR/DB B.J. Barre, DL Ken Jones, WR/LB Jason Shelley and DB Brandon Hefflin . CSN will also broadcast this week's game between the Destroyers and the Rampage with Randy Rhinehart (play-by-play) and Greg Frey (color analyst) and Crawford (pre-game host) beginning at 6:30 p.m. (ET).

ON THE AIRWAVES: This week's contest between the Destroyers and the Rampage can be heard on your home for Destroyers football, the new WINK 107.1 FM with the broadcast tandem of Steve Sefner (play-by-play) and Rob Blackman (color commentator) 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.

GAME PROMOTIONS: On Friday, May 11 the Columbus Destroyers will host Buckeye Coaches Night. The evening will feature appearances by The Ohio State University football coaches Earle Bruce, John Cooper and Jim Tressel prior to the game, which is set for a 7 p.m. (ET) kickoff on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena. Doors will open at 4:45 p.m. and beginning at 5 p.m. Coach Bruce and Coach Cooper will sign autographs on the Bud Light Terrace (limited to the first 300 fans). The coaches will be joined by Coach Tressel for a question and answer session on the Bud Light Terrace from 6:15-6:45 p.m. All three coaches will be a part of the coin toss ceremony prior to kickoff. Following the Destroyers post-game autograph session, Buckeye football legend Chris Spielman will share an inspirational message prior to the Faith and Family Night Concert featuring New Method. The Huntington $10 Ticket Blitz offers a minimum of 225 lower bowl seats to each home game for just $10. They will be available at the Nationwide Arena Box Office two hours prior to every home game. The Destroyers and Giant Eagle are teaming up with the Mid-Ohio FoodBank to TACKLE HUNGER in Central Ohio. Last year, with the help of fans, the Destroyers raised enough resources to provide over 27,000 meals to those in need. Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to all Destroyers home games to receive a raffle ticket. In addition, if fans bring a non-perishable food item from Giant Eagle they will receive a voucher for $3 off a regularly priced ticket.

TICKET INFORMATION: Single game tickets are now on sale at the Nationwide Arena Box Office, ticketmaster outlets and The Blueline locations at Chiller Dublin, Chiller Easton, Chiller North and the Mall at Tuttle Crossing. Single game tickets for the 2007 season are available for as low as $12 by visiting www.ColumbusDestroyers.com. For information on season tickets call (877) COLS-AFL. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for group rates by calling (614) 246-HITS.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 8, 2007


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