Destroyers continue road trip looking to continue playoff push this Saturday against Austin

April 24, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


The Columbus Destroyers trailed the Philadelphia Soul 28-7 with 4 minutes, 40 seconds to go in the second quarter, but rallied to pull within 45-44 when quarterback John Kaleo rushed in from 1-yard out on third down with 0:40 left in the game. Kaleo then hit wide receiver/linebacker David Saunders in the front corner of the end zone on the two-point conversion attempt to give the Destroyers a 46-45 lead. Philadelphia kicker Todd France had two chances at a game-winning, 42-yard field goal as time expired, but missed both attempts off the right net, and gave the Destroyers the win. The first attempt by France was negated by a Destroyers' timeout prior to the snap. The win tied a franchise record for wins in a season with six, and also was the first season series sweep of the Soul.

THIS WEEK: The Destroyers (6-7) stay on the road for the second of back-to-back road tests when they travel to take on the Austin Wranglers (8-5) on Saturday, Apr. 29. Kickoff at the Frank Erwin Center is set for 8 p.m. (ET). 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.

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 Off

Tuesday Practice 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Wednesday Practice 10:30 a.m.-12:40 p.m. Columbus FieldHouse

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

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

Travel to Austin 2 p.m.

Saturday Game at Austin 8 p.m. Frank Erwin Center

Travel to Columbus Immediately following the game

FORWARD MOTION: The Destroyers will return home for their final regular season home game on Saturday, May 6, when they host the Tampa Bay Storm (6-7). Kickoff on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena is set for 7 p.m. (ET). The game will match former coaching mates, Destroyers head coach and former Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Doug Kay and Tampa Bay head coach Tim Marcum. The duo worked together in 1993 to help the Storm claim the ArenaBowl VII championship. The two have faced each other four times as opposing head coaches. The Destroyers and Storm have met four times in history with the Storm holding a 4-0 edge. The last time the teams met came on the final week of the 2005 season. The Destroyers led 20-7 after the first quarter of play, but were unable to hold on and fell 78-53 in front of 12,990 fans at Nationwide Arena.

FRANCHISE RECORDS TIED: The Columbus Destroyers had one of the best weekends in franchise history this past Friday night at Philadelphia. The team tied a few franchise records in the 46-45 victory over the Soul. The Destroyers tied the franchise mark for wins in a season, with six. The 2001 and 2002 Buffalo Destroyers and 2004 Columbus Destroyers all had six wins in a season. The win also was the third road win of the season for the Destroyers, which tied the franchise mark set by the 2004 Columbus Destroyers. The team still has two road games remaining on the schedule to break the record. The win over Philadelphia was the second win of the season over the Soul and is the first season series sweep of a team this year. It marks the fourth season series sweep of a team in franchise history. It was the first season series sweep since the 2002 season, when the Buffalo Destroyers swept the New Jersey Gladiators and Toronto Phantoms. The other season series sweep came in 2001, when Buffalo swept the New Jersey Red Dogs.

PLAYOFF PUSH ALIVE AND WELL: With this past weekend's 46-45 victory over the Philadelphia Soul, the Destroyer put themselves right back in the thick of the playoff hunt. At 6-7, the Destroyers are tied with Tampa Bay for the seventh spot in the National Conference, one game out of the playoffs. Both teams have three games left in the season, including a match-up against each other in Week 15. Tampa Bay currently holds the head-to-head match-up between the teams based on wins over common opponents, but the May 6th game will determine the tie-breaker. Two of the three games remaining on the club's schedule are against playoff teams.

NINE IS JUST FINE: Destroyers wide receiver/linebacker David Saunders cannot be kept out of the end zone, even on two-point conversions. In his past nine consecutive games, Saunders has caught at least one touchdown pass. In this past Friday's win over Philadelphia, Saunders caught six passes for 63 yards and a touchdown. After the Destroyers pulled within 45-44, it was Saunders who worked his way open on the two-point conversion, which he caught in the front corner of the end zone to give the Destroyers a 46-45 lead. The Destroyers held on for the win. 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 58 receptions for 666 yards and 14 touchdowns.

ON THE AIR: As the Destroyers prepare for Austin, fans can listen to the insiders' preview on "Destroyers Weekly" Monday, Apr. 24, 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 offensive/defensive lineman Brad Greetis and head coach Doug Kay, as well as Austin head coach Skip Foster.

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.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 24, 2006


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