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Destroyers begin first of back-to-back road games against AFL's top teams this weekend

March 20, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


RECAP: The Columbus Destroyers defense forced four Philadelphia turnovers en route to a 53-20 victory in front of 12,807 fans on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena on Saturday night. The 20 points allowed by the Destroyers defense was the second fewest allowed in franchise history and fewest allowed since the team moved to Columbus in 2004. It also was the fewest points scored by the Soul in franchise history. Quarterback John Kaleo passed for 307 yards and five touchdowns on 27-of-36 passing and defensive specialist Jerald Brown had two interceptions in the win.

THIS WEEK: The Destroyers will hit the road for the first of back-to-back road games against the Arena Football League's top two teams. On Saturday, Mar. 25, the Destroyers will take on the Colorado Crush (6-2) at the Pepsi Center. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. (ET). The Destroyers and Crush have met once in history with the Crush claiming a 52-37 victory on Mar. 20, 2005. The game will broadcast tape-delayed on FSN Ohio.

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

Monday Off

Tuesday Practice 10:15 a.m.-12:40 p.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Wednesday Practice 10:15 a.m.-12:40 p.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Thursday Practice 9:15-11:30 a.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Friday Walk-Thru 9:30-10:20 a.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Travel to Denver

Saturday Game vs. Colorado 9 p.m. Pepsi Center

Sunday Film Review 8:15-10:15 a.m. Columbus FieldHouse

FORWARD MOTION: The Destroyers will take on the Eastern Division leading Dallas Desperados (7-1) on Saturday, Apr. 1. Kickoff at American Airlines Center is set for 7:30 p.m. (ET). The game will broadcast on FSN Ohio. The Destroyers and Desperados met once already this season, a 52-38 Dallas victory on Feb. 11. The teams have met five times in history with the Desperados holding a 4-1 edge. The Destroyers victory came on May 22, 2004, when Columbus took home a 68-56 victory at Dallas.

MAJOR DISTRIBUTOR WITH BIG PRODUCTION: Destroyers quarterback John Kaleo continues to show why he is one of the Arena Football League's all-time great quarterbacks. For the third consecutive game, Kaleo passed for over 300 yards. In the process, Kaleo completed passes to eight different receivers. On the night, Kaleo completed 27-of-36 passes for 307 yards and five scores. Of the five touchdowns, Kaleo completed them to three different receivers. Wide receiver/linebacker David Saunders and offensive specialist Carl Bond each had a pair of touchdown receptions, while wide receiver/linebacker Thabiti Davis had the other. On the season, Kaleo has completed 158-of-266 passes to 15 different receivers. He has thrown for 1,837 yards and 30 touchdowns. Seven different receivers have caught touchdown passes.

PROVING WHY HE IS AN IRONMAN: Wide receiver/linebacker David Saunders only has played in six of the team's eight games this season, missing two games due to injury. But in the six games he has played in, Saunders has played well enough to move himself to third on the team in receiving. Saunders had arguably his best game of the season this past Saturday night against Philadelphia. In the game, Saunders led the team in receiving with seven receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns. He added two fumble recoveries and 1.5 tackles on defense to take home Ironman of the Game honors. On the season, Saunders has 30 receptions for 341 yards and seven touchdowns. Defensively he has recorded 11.0 tackles (7UT-8AT), two fumble recoveries and two pass breakups.

DOUBLE DIPPER: Destroyers defensive specialist Jerald Brown does not like to intercept just one pass per game. Instead, the third-year player out of Glenville State prefers to intercept two passes per game. Brown has accomplished that feat three times in the Destroyers first eight games, including snagging a pair of interceptions in this past weekend's 53-20 victory over the Philadelphia Soul. He returned the first interception five yards for a touchdown. The Destroyers are 2-1 when Brown intercepts two passes in a game. Brown has seven interceptions, which he has returned for 124 yards, on the season. The 124 yards is tops on the Destroyers single season and career record lists. Brown needs one more interception to tie the Destroyers single season record of eight, set by Dwaine Carpenter in 2003. If Brown intercepts four more passes this season, he will tie the Destroyers career record set by Carpenter, who intercepted 11 passes spanning the 2002 and 2003 seasons.

ON THE AIR: As the Destroyers prepare for Philadelphia, fans can listen to the insiders' preview on "Destroyers Weekly" Monday, Mar. 13, from 7-8 p.m. on 107.1 FM, The Big Wazoo in Columbus. The live hour-long show will be hosted by WLVQ/WAZU Sports Director "Archie" and Destroyers play-by-play announcer Steve Sefner. This week's show will feature defensive assistant Vinnie Clark, wide receiver/linebacker David Saunders, as well as Colorado wide receiver/defensive back Willis Marshall. This Saturday's game against the Crush will broadcast tape-delayed on FSN Ohio.

GAME PROMOTIONS: On Sunday, Apr. 9, when the Destroyers take on the Orlando Predators on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena, it will be Zooperstars Character Night & Dispatch/Mix 97.1 Family Night. These hilarious characters dance, flip, bounce, shake, and just plain entertain. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.

This season the Destroyers will again team with the Mid-Ohio FoodBank to "Tackle Hunger" in Central Ohio. Fans are asked to bring non-perishable food items to each home game for donation to the Mid-Ohio FoodBank. In turn, fans will receive one raffle ticket per donated food item for a chance to win a team-autographed, authentic AFL football. One winner will be announced during the fourth quarter of each game. Last season, the Destroyers raised enough resources to provide over 27,000 meals to those in need right here in our community.

TICKET INFORMATION: Single game tickets are available starting as low as $10 and are 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.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 20, 2006


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