Dallas Desperados week in review
February 14, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release
The Dallas Desperados became just one-of-three teams to remain undefeated and got off to their best start in franchise history (3-0) after handing the Columbus Destroyers (1-2) a 52-38 loss in front of 12,286 fans at Nationwide Arena. After holding Columbus to a three-and-out on their first possession, the Dallas defense forced Mark Lewis to attempt a 55-yard field goal on their opening possession, which fell short and was returned 14-yards by Will Pettis. The Dallas offense started at their own nine-yard line and struck quickly after Clint Dolezel hit Pettis deep for a 41-yard touchdown strike and a quick 7-0 lead. The Destroyers were able to tack on three points on a Lewis 18-yard field goal on their next possession, but the Desperados extended their lead 14-3 when Dolezel found Dialleo Burks on the sideline for a fiveyard touchdown toss. The first quarter ended with the Destroyers driving, but still trailing 14-3. The Destroyers capped off their drive with a John Kaleo-to-Ira Gooch sevenyard touchdown pass to open the second frame. Pettis fumbled the Lewis kickoff after returning it 16-yards. The fumble bounced back to the Desperados end zone and was covered by B.J. Barre giving the Destroyers their first lead of the day, 17-14. The Desperados answered on their ensuing possession with a Dolezel-to-Terrill Shaw three-yard touchdown pass and regained the lead 21-17. Columbus added another touchdown - an 11-yard Kaleo toss to Barre, then Dallas's Carlos Martinez nailed a 39-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to leave the two teams knotted at 24-24. The Dallas defense held the Destroyers scoreless in the third frame, while the offense tacked on three more touchdowns, all coming on Dolezel passes. The first to Burks for a three-yard strike, the second one to Shaw - a 14-yard scoring pass - was set-up by a Pettis interception for a touchback and the final touchdown of the quarter was from two yards out to Andrew Layton - his first of the season. The third frame ended with Dallas on top 45-24. The Destroyers gained ground on Dallas after Kaleo hit Thabiti Davis on a 26-yard pass for a touchdown. On Dallas's next possession, Duke Pettijohn fumbled on the first play and Eddie Galles jumped on the loose ball at the Dallas 12-yard line. One play later, Kaleo hit Galles for a 12-yard touchdown pass to cut their deficit to 45-38. The Desperados were forced into a Martinez 37-field goal attempt that was no good. With four minutes remaining, Columbus was looking to tie the game again, but Layton ended all comeback thoughts intercepting a Kaleo pass that was tipped by Devin Wyamn and returning it 32- yards untouched for a touchdown to seal the Desperados win.
The Offensive Player of Game went to Clint Dolezel, who completed 23-of-34 passes for 281 yards and six touchdowns, while Cecil Doggette of the Destroyers took home the ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors. Will Pettis was named Ironman of the Game, for the third consecutive week, with a total of 237 yards, 112 receiving and 125 in the return game, with one receiving touchdown. Pettis also added one interception on defense.
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