Defense lifts Destroyers over Firebirds in season opener

Published on February 8, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


INDIANAPOLIS – In front of a record-setting crowd, the Arena Football League's Columbus Destroyers opened up their 2004 inaugural season with a 54-48 victory over the Indiana Firebirds at Conseco Fieldhouse Saturday night. The win marked the third consecutive victory over the Firebirds and third season-opening victory in team history, dating back to when the Destroyers played out of Buffalo, NY. The 14,007 fans in attendance set an all-time record for a home game in the Firebirds' 15-year franchise history.

The Destroyers scored 26 points in the fourth quarter to erase a 13-point second half deficit, highlighted by two interceptions returned for touchdowns in the quarter.

Rookie quarterback Ryan Vena led the Destroyers' offensive attack, completing 19-of-25 pass attempts for 202 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for 21 yards in the contest. Offensive specialist CoCo Blalock led the Destroyers in receiving, catching six balls for 66 yards and a score. Wide receiver/linebacker Cornelius White followed Blalock, recording four catches for 48 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, White led the team in tackles with five and added an interception returned nine yards for a touchdown. Destroyers wide receiver/linebacker Sedrick Robinson, who was name Ironman of the Game, finished with four catches for 45 yards and one touchdown. He also returned two kickoffs for 75 yards, one which was returned 57 yards for a touchdown.

The Firebirds were the first to break the scoring column on their opening possession of the game after putting together a seven-play drive, consuming the opening six minutes of the contest. The drive was capped of by a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kevin Daft to wide receiver/linebacker Brett Bech.

The Destroyers quickly responded however after offensive specialist CoCo Blalock set up a Destroyer touchdown after returning the ensuing kickoff 40 yards to the Indiana ten yard line. Vena then found White on his first pass attempt in the Arena Football League for a 13-yard score to even the contest at seven with 7:23 left in the first quarter.

After trading touchdowns to close the opening quarter, the Firebirds would score two unanswered touchdowns to take a 27-14 lead midway through the second quarter. The Destroyers would add a touchdown late in the quarter on a four-yard run by fullback/linebacker Wilmont Perry to cut the Firebirds' lead to six at the half.

Trailing 34-21 midway through the third quarter, wide receiver/linebacker Sedrick Robinson continued the Destroyers strong special teams play returning an Indiana kickoff 57 yards for a touchdown, cutting the Indiana lead back down to six with six minutes remaining in the quarter.

After penning the Firebirds deep in their own territory early in the fourth quarter, the Destroyers were able to tie the score after White stepped in front of a Daft pass attempt and returned it nine yards for a touchdown, knotting the score at 41. Then, trailing by one with just over four minutes remaining in the game, Columbus defensive specialist JoJo Polk picked off a Tony Zimmerman pass and returned it four yards for the game-winning score. Zimmerman replaced Daft at quarterback for Indiana's final two possessions, completing 3-of-7 pass attempts for 48 yards with one touchdowns and one interception.

The Destroyers return to action this Friday when they host the Carolina Cobras in the team's inaugural home opener at Nationwide Arena. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Destroyers season tickets are available starting as low as $72 for eight games and single-game seats, starting as low as $9, are also on sale now. Single-game tickets may be purchased at Nationwide Arena, at the Chillers in Dublin and Easton and through Ticketmaster. For season ticket information, visit www.columbusdestroyers.com or call (614) 246-HITS.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 8, 2004


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