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Destroyers can clinch playoff spot with win at San Jose OR Philadelphia loss at Georgia

May 8, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


The Columbus Destroyers moved within a win of a playoff spot with a 51-48 victory over the Tampa Bay Storm in front of a season-high 14,357 fans on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena on Saturday night. The win improved the Destroyers to 8-7 on the season, guaranteeing them a finish of .500 or better for the first time in franchise history. Defensive specialist Cecil Doggette went out and recorded a Destroyers' single-game record 14.0 tackles (11UT-6AT), two pass breakups, as well as a key fourth quarter interception. He was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game for his performance. Offensive specialist Carl Bond caught three touchdown passes in the win.

THIS WEEK: The Destroyers close out the regular season, with hopes of clinching a playoff berth, when they travel to take on the San Jose SaberCats (9-6). Kickoff at HP Pavilion at San Jose is set for 10:30 p.m. (ET). The game will broadcast live on the Destroyers flagship radio station 107.1 FM The Big Wazoo, as well as tape-delayed on Time Warner Cable Ch. 24 Sunday at 7 p.m. The SaberCats and Destroyers have met five times in history with San Jose holding a 5-0 edge. The teams have not met since the Destroyers moved to Columbus in 2004. The last meeting came in 2003, when the Buffalo Destroyers traveled to San Jose and suffered a 58-41 setback in front of 13,047 fans at HP Pavilion.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE: The practice schedule for this week is below. Practice times and locations are subject to change. All practices at the Columbus FieldHouse are open to the public. Practices on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena are closed to the public.

Day Event Time Place

Monday Off

Tuesday Practice 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena

Wednesday Practice 10:30a.m.-noon Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena

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

Friday Practice 9-9:50 a.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Travel to San Jose

Saturday Game at San Jose 10:30 p.m. (ET) HP Pavilion at San Jose

Sunday Travel to Columbus

FORWARD MOTION: The Destroyers will either be preparing for the playoffs or preparing for the off-season. The playoff picture still has two spots open and three teams fighting to get in. Three of the six seeds are spoken for, as Dallas (No. 1), Orlando (No. 2) and New York (No. 3) have all locked up the top three positions. Austin, currently the fourth seed, has clinched a playoff berth, but could rank fourth or fifth. Columbus, Georgia and Philadelphia are fighting for the final two spots. The playoffs begin the weekend of May 19-21 with the Wild Card Round. The third seed will host the sixth seed and the fourth seed will host the fifth seed.

PLAYOFFS?!? YES, WE ARE TALKING PLAYOFFS: The Columbus Destroyers are on the verge of clinching their first playoff berth since the club moved to Columbus in 2004. The team can lock up a playoff berth with a win OR a Philadelphia loss. Philadelphia travels to take on Georgia, who also is fighting for its playoff life, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. To make things even more interesting, the Destroyers even have an opportunity for a home playoff game. Should Philadelphia defeat Georgia AND Orlando defeat Austin coupled with a Destroyers win, then Columbus would notch the fourth seed and host a Wild Card Round home playoff game. If the Destroyers qualify for the playoffs, it will mark the third time in franchise history, as the 2000 and 2002 Buffalo Destroyers accomplished the feat. The Destroyers have yet to win a playoff game.

FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING: This past weekend's 51-48 victory over the Tampa Bay Storm was the first Destroyers' victory over the Storm in franchise history. Tampa Bay had won the previous four meetings. Head coach Doug Kay also earned his first victory over Tampa Bay coach Tim Marcum. Kay was the defensive coordinator, and Marcum the head coach, of the ArenaBowl VII champion Tampa Bay Storm in 1993. Kay and Marcum have faced each other five times as opposing head coaches. Another first for the Destroyers this season came against the Austin Wranglers and Colorado Crush. Entering the 2006 season, the Destroyers had not defeated either of those teams. The club went on to beat both of those teams on the road. Another opponent the Destroyers have not defeated in franchise history is this weekend's opponent, the San Jose SaberCats.

OFFENSE RETURNS TO FORM: The Destroyers' offense has kind of flown under the radar this season, as the talk has primarily been focused on the club's defense, which ranks tops in the Arena Football League. This past weekend, the offense had one of its best outings this season. Quarterback John Kaleo was firing on all cylinders in the first half, completing 8-of-9 passes for 150 yards and five touchdowns. He finished the day completing 14-of-23 for 226 yards and six touchdowns, which ties his season best. Kaleo completed passes to four different receivers and touchdowns to three of them. Offensive specialist Carl Bond led the team with six receptions for 102 yards and three scores. Wide receiver/linebacker David Saunders caught a touchdown pass for the 11th straight game, and wide receiver/defensive back Marcus Knight had two touchdown grabs, as well.

ON THE AIR: As the Destroyers prepare for San Jose, fans can listen to the insiders' preview on "Destroyers Weekly" Monday, May 8, 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 Marty Bannister. This week's show will feature offensive assistant/special teams' coordinator Chris MacKeown and wide receiver/linebacker Thabiti Davis, as well as San Jose head coach Darren Arbet.

GAME PROMOTIONS: This season, the Destroyers again teamed 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: Should the Destroyers qualify for the playoffs and secure a Wild Card Round home playoff game, ticket information for that game will become available at that time. Be sure to check www.ColumbusDestroyers.com for more information.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 8, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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