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Defense forces seven turnovers to hand defending ArenaBowl champ Crush first home loss

March 25, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


DENVER - Home, not so sweet home.

The Columbus Destroyers forced the defending ArenaBowl Champion Colorado Crush into seven turnovers and held them to their lowest point total in franchise history en route to a 65-21 win in front of 17,146 fans at the Pepsi Center on Saturday night. It was the first time the Crush has lost at home this season and only the second time in their past 11 home games.

Destroyers defensive specialist Brandon Hefflin took home Defensive Player of the Game honors when he recovered two fumbles and intercepted a pass while adding a game high 13.5 tackles (13UT-1AT) to lead the Destroyers defensive attack.

Wide receiver/linebacker Thabiti Davis was named Ironman of the game after he caught four passes for 43 yards and a touchdown and added a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown as well as two tackles (2UT) and a tackle for a loss on defense.

Destroyers' quarterback John Kaleo earned Offensive Player of the Game honors after he completed 16-of-26 passes for 155 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for two more.

The Destroyers defense started off right where they left off a week ago when Hefflin picked off a John Dutton pass at the Columbus 18-yard line. The Colorado defense answered right back, however, stopping the Destroyers on fourth down.

But it was the Destroyers defense again, stepping up to the challenge. This time defensive specialist Jerald Brown intercepted his eighth pass of the season, which ties a Destroyers' single season-best, at the Destroyers 3-yard line and returned it to the 12. It was the fifth time in the past six games that Brown intercepted a pass.

Three plays later, Kaleo found wide receiver/linebacker David Saunders from 18-yards out to give the Destroyers a 7-0 lead with 7 minutes, 30 seconds remaining in the game.

Destroyers' kicker Mark Lewis then started the second quarter by nailing a 21-yard field goal to give the Destroyers a 10-7 edge. The defense came up big again, forcing the Crush to attempt a 55-yard field goal, which kicker Clay Rush missed off the left net. The Destroyers marched down the field, and Kaleo capped the drive with a 1-yard run to make it 17-7.

On the ensuing kickoff Crush wide receiver/defensive back Willis Marshall thought he had a clear path to the end zone, but offensive/defensive lineman Howard Duncan hit him from behind and jarred the ball loose, which was recovered by Hefflin at the 15-yard line. Three plays later rookie fullback/linebacker Harold Wells added to his team-lead in rushing touchdowns with his fifth of the year, this from a yard out.

Hefflin was at it again on the next Crush drive. Crush offensive specialist Damian Harrell tried to push his way past Destroyers wide receiver/defensive back B.J. Barre, who wrestled the ball loose with Hefflin recovering it once again. Kaleo then rushed for his second score of the game to make it 31-7 in favor of the Destroyers.

Yet again, the Destroyers defense came up big, and got another fourth down stop with :05 left in the first half. That allowed Lewis to boot a Destroyers all-time best 53-yard field goal as time expired to give Columbus a 34-7 edge going into the locker room at halftime.

The second half started out right for the Crush, who recovered a Rush onside kick and scored on the next play when Dutton hooked up with Harrell for the 29th time this season to cut the lead to 34-14. Another onside kick came on the ensuing kickoff, but the Destroyers recovered and scored one play later when Kaleo found offensive specialist Carl Bond from 8-yards out to push the lead back to 41-14.

The Destroyers defense forced another Crush turnover on the next offensive play, when Dutton bobbled the snap. Destroyers fullback/linebacker Leroy Thompson recovered the ball at the Crush 16-yard line. Lewis added a 23-yard field goal to give Columbus a 44-14 lead.

Lewis finished the night perfect on extra points, going 7-of-7, and was 3-for-3 on field goals.

The Destroyers will finish their two-game road trip on Saturday, Apr. 1, when they travel to take on the National Conference-leading Dallas Desperados. Kickoff at American Airlines Center is set for 7:30 p.m. (ET).

When the Destroyers return home on Sunday, Apr. 8, to take on the Orlando Predators, it will be Zooperstars Character Night and Dispatch/Mix 97.1 Family Game. The Zooperstars are hilarious characters dance, flip, bounce, shake, and just plain entertain.

Single game tickets starting as low as $10 are on sale now and pro-rated season tickets also available by calling (614) 246-HITS or by visiting www.ColumbusDestroyers.com. In addition, high school and college students (23 years and under) with a valid student ID may purchase a specially priced $7 ticket beginning two hours before each home game at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office only.

Individual tickets may also be purchased at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, or by phone at (614) 431-3600. Tickets are also available at the Blue Jackets Zones located at Chiller Dublin, Chiller Easton and Chiller North. All tickets are subject to service charges and facility fees.

Entering its fourth season, NBC will continue its coverage of the AFL on Sundays throughout the season. Be sure to watch the AFL on NBC. Check local listings for complete details.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 25, 2006


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