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Destroyers Blow Away Rampage, 53-30

January 30, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


RECAP: The Columbus Destroyers opened their 2006 season with a 53-30 win over the Grand Rapids Rampage in front of 12,451 fans on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena Sunday. Offensive specialist Thabiti Davis caught 10 passes for 131 yards and three touchdowns to earn Offensive Player of the Game honors. Quarterback John Kaleo completed 23-of-42 passes for 256 yards and four touchdowns in his Destroyers debut. The defense had an outstanding game, as they held the Rampage to 30 points by forcing five turnovers and adding a safety.

THIS WEEK: The Destroyers will hit the road for the first time this season when they travel to take on the Nashville Kats Friday at the Gaylord Entertainment Center. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. (ET). The Kats opened their season with a 57-28 victory over the New York Dragons on Saturday night. Quarterback Clint Stoerner passed for 254 yards and four touchdowns on 20-of-31 passing. T.T. Toliver caught nine passes for 132 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the win.

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 Film Review 8-10 a.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Tuesday Practice 10:15 a.m.-12:35 p.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Wednesday Practice 10:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Columbus FieldHouse

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

Travel to Nashville 4 p.m.

Friday Walk-Thru 10-10:30 a.m. (CT) Gaylord Entertainment Center

Game vs. Nashville 7 p.m. (CT) Gaylord Entertainment Center

Saturday Travel to Columbus 10 a.m.

Sunday Film Review TBA Columbus Field House

FORWARD MOTION: After Friday's game at Nashville, the Destroyers return home to take on the Dallas Desperados in the team's first game against a divisional opponent. The Destroyers are 1-3 against the Desperados, winning May 22, 2004 at Dallas by a count of 68-56. Last season, the Desperados went 8-7-1 and just missed the playoffs. Dallas opened the season with a 58-44 victory over the expansion Kansas City Brigade. Quarterback Clint Dolezel looked sharp in his debut. He completed 25-of-35 passes for 271 yards and six touchdowns.

BIG WIN, IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE: The Destroyers 53-30 win over Grand Rapids on Sunday was a big win in a couple of different ways. The 23-point margin of victory was the second biggest win since the team moved to Columbus in 2004. The largest win came on May 14, 2004, against the Rampage, when the Destroyers won 59-28. The win was the first time that the Destroyers won their home opener at Nationwide Arena.

BRING ON THE "D": The Destroyers defense put on a clinic on Sunday against the Rampage, holding them to 30 points. It was the second best defensive performance over the weekend as the Nashville Kats held the New York Dragons to 28 points. In the game, the defense force three fumbles, intercepted two passes and had a safety. The defense scored three times with a fumble recovery in the end zone, a 40-yard fumble recovery returned for a touchdown and the safety.

A GRAND MAKES A SIX-PACK: Entering Sunday's game against the Rampage, Destroyers fullback/linebacker Leroy Thompson needed one rushing yard to eclipse the 1,000-yard plateau for his career. On the Destroyers first drive, Thompson got the call on second-and-one from the Rampage 6-yard line. He plowed through the line for a three yard gain and became the sixth player in AFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards. He finished the game with nine rushes for 25 yards.

ON THE AIR: As the Destroyers prepare for Nashville, fans can listen to the insiders' preview on "Destroyers Weekly" Monday, Jan. 30, from 7-8 p.m. on 107.1 The Big Wazoo in Columbus. The live hour-long show will be hosted by WLVQ/WAZU Sports Director "Archie" and a rotation of co-hosts from the Destroyers radio broadcast tandem of play-by-play announcers Marty Bannister and Steve Sefner. This week's show will feature head coach Doug Kay and wide receiver/linebacker Eddie Galles. Also, this Friday's game against Nashville will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Net Ohio starting at 8 p.m. (ET).

GAME PROMOTIONS: When the Destroyers return home on Saturday, Feb. 11 against the Dallas Desperados, it will be Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Night presented By Dr. Pepper and Diet Dr. Pepper. Back by popular demand, members of the world-renowned Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Dance Squad will meet fans for a special pre-game autograph session and then perform at halftime. 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 now 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.

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