Destroyers close out final fourth of season with three of four games on the road

Published on April 17, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


Columbus Destroyers' defensive specialist Jerald Brown intercepted his ninth pass of the season, a new Destroyers single-season record, but it was not enough, as Columbus fell 64-57 to Eastern Division rival New York in front of 10,306 fans on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena Friday night. Brown took home ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors after he recorded four tackles (all solo), had the interception and broke up a pass. Defensive specialist Cecil Doggette added a game-high 10.5 tackles (10UT-1AT). Destroyers' offensive specialist Darcey Levy caught five passes for 92 yards and pair of scores. Fullback/linebackers Harold Wells and Leroy Thompson, as well as wide receiver/defensive back B.J. Barre all added a rushing touchdown on the night.

THIS WEEK: The Destroyers (5-7) will finish the season playing three of four games on the road, beginning Friday, Apr. 21, against Eastern Division rival Philadelphia (7-5). Kickoff at Wachovia Center is set for 7 p.m. It is the second meeting of the season between the teams. Columbus held Philadelphia to a franchise worst in points scored en route to a 53-20 victory in front of 12,807 fans on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena on Mar. 18. Defensive specialist Jerald Brown had two interceptions, one of which he returned five yards for a touchdown, to lead the defensive attack. Offensive specialist Carl Bond and wide receiver/linebacker David Saunders both had a pair of touchdown receptions. The Destroyers and Soul have met five teams with Philadelphia holding a 3-2 edge.

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/Walk-Thru's at Nationwide Arena are closed to the public.

Day Event Time Place

Monday Practice 11:15 a.m.-12:40 p.m. Columbus FieldHouse

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

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

Thursday Practice 9:20-10:30 a.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Travel to Philadelphia 2 p.m.

Friday Game at Philadelphia 7 p.m. Wachovia Center

Travel to Columbus Immediately following the game

FORWARD MOTION: The Destroyers stay on the road for the second of back-to-back road tests when they travel to take on the Austin Wranglers (8-4) on Saturday, Apr. 29. Kickoff at the Frank Erwin Center is set for 8 p.m. The teams have met once in history, with the Wranglers snaring a 58-55 victory at Nationwide Arena on Apr. 30, 2005. Wranglers' kicker Todd Sievers kicked a 22-yard field goal as time expired to give Austin the win.

RECORD BROKEN: Columbus defensive specialist Jerald Brown set a Destroyers single-season record this past Friday night when he intercepted a pass in the first quarter. It was Brown's ninth of the season, which breaks the previous record set by Dwaine Carpenter, who intercepted eight passes in the 2003 campaign. Brown was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game for his performance. He has intercepted two passes in a game on three occasions and intercepted a pass in six of the Destroyers' 12 games. His nine interceptions are tied for tops in the Arena Football League. He is on pace for 12, which would rank as second-best in AFL history. Brown also has been a force elsewhere, as he has recorded 47.0 tackles (39UT-16AT), nine pass breakups and a fumble recovery returned 40 yards for a touchdown.

BARRE BECOMES BIG RETURN MAN: Wide receiver/defensive back B.J. Barre has been an effective player for the Destroyers this season, his rookie campaign. But where Barre has excelled at the most has been on the return. This past weekend against New York, Barre returned eight kickoffs for a total of 206 yards. This one week after Barre returned five kickoffs 119 yards. Barre came within four yards of returning a kickoff for a touchdown this past weekend, which would have been the first of the season for any Destroyers player. On the season, Barre has returned 31 kickoffs for a total of 665 yards. His average of 21.5 yards per return ranks fourth in the AFL. Offensively, Barre has caught 23 passes for 258 yards and three touchdowns, while adding two rushing touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, he has recorded 39.0 tackles (33UT-12AT), one tackle for loss, two interceptions, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

EIGHT IS JUST AS GREAT: Destroyers wide receiver/linebacker David Saunders defies the word consistent on a weekly basis. In his past eight games, Saunders has caught at least one touchdown pass. In this past Friday's loss to the New York Dragons, Saunders caught three passes for 50 yards and a score. In the past two weeks, Saunders has jumped to the top of the Destroyers receiving chart, leading the team in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. For the season, Saunders has 51 receptions for 596 yards and 13 touchdowns.

ON THE AIR: As the Destroyers prepare for Philadelphia, fans can listen to the insiders' preview on "Destroyers Weekly" Monday, Apr. 17, 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 a selected player and coach, as well as Philadelphia broadcaster Ari Wolfe.

GAME PROMOTIONS: When the Destroyers return home on Saturday, May 6 to face the Tampa Bay Storm, it will be Rooster's Wing Bash & Dispatch/Mix 97.1 Family Night. Rooster's presents a pre-game party featuring live entertainment, Rooster's wings and Bud Light on the McConnell Street Plaza for the final regular-season game.

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 start 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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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 17, 2006


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