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Destroyers Defeat The Kats, 58-56

March 1, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


Nashville, Tenn. - The road to ArenaBowl XXI is now underway and the Columbus Destroyers (1-0) took the right step as they defeated the Nashville Kats (0-1), 58-56 at Gaylord Entertainment Center. Destroyers quarterback Matt Nagy completed 23 passes for 245 yards and seven touchdowns. His favorite target of the night was Damien Groce. Groce caught 11 passes for 122 yards and three touchdowns. In a game that's dominated by offense, special teams played a large factor in the game as Columbus kick returners Josh Bush and Groce combined to return seven kickoffs for 163 yards, giving the Destroyers great field position all night.

Following a Clint Stoerner strike to Cornelius Bonner to give the Kats a 7-0 lead, the Destroyers' Damien Groce returned the opening Columbus drive to the Kats four-yard line. On the first play from scrimmage for the Destroyers, Nagy found wide receiver David Saunders on a 5-yard slant for the first score of the season. Reigning 2006 AFL Defensive Player of the Year, defensive back Jerald Brown, put a stop to the ensuing Kats drive as he picked Stoerner off in the end zone for his first interception of the season.

With the score 13-7 in favor of the Kats, the Destroyers' Josh Bush returned the opening kickoff of the second quarter 53-yards to the Kats four yard line. Nagy made quick work of the Kats secondary as he found Saunders for their second score of the game from four yards for the touchdown. Nagy threw for his third score of the game as he hooked up with Groce down the middle of the field to give the Destroyers a 21-20 lead with 7:13 remaining in the second quarter.

With a minute remaining in the half, Nagy and Groce gave the Destroyers a 28-26 lead after finding Groce on a post corner route from 21-yards for the score. Kats kicker Jay Witasick gave Nashville a 29-28 lead after he nailed a field-goal from 57-yards, a new career-high. With three seconds left in the half Destroyers kicker Peter Martinez gave Columbus a 31-29 lead after connecting on a 26-yard field goal.

The Destroyers opened up the second half the way they started the first half as Nagy found wide receiver Darcey Levy for a 20-yard touchdown. On the way to the end zone Levy broke three Kats' tackles to score. On the drive Nagy completed five of six passes on a seven play drive covering 45-yards. Nagy and Levy were at it again as Nagy found Levy wide open from 28-yards for the score. The Destroyers jumped out to a 44-29 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The Kats opened the final quarter with two touchdowns. Fullback Dan Alexander ran for his third score of the game from five yards and Stoerner found Alonzo Nix for a nine yard touchdown strike. After a failed two-point conversion by the Kats, the Destroyers led 44-42. The Destroyers answered the call as Nagy found Groce over the middle for a 22-yard touchdown. After the teams traded touchdowns, the Kats cut the Destroyer lead to two points after Stoerner found Bonner for their third touchdown hook up of the game. After a failed on-side kick attempt the Destroyers ran out the clock for the eventual win.

The Destroyers return to action next week as they face the New Orleans VooDoo on Friday, March 9 at New Orleans Arena with kickoff slated for 8 p.m. (ET). The game can be heard live on your radio home for the Destroyers WNNK 107.1 FM. The Destroyers return to Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena on Saturday March 24 to face the defending ArenaBowl XX Champion Chicago Rush for a 7 p.m. (ET) kickoff. WE BELIEVE that you can never get enough football. Season tickets for the 2007 season are now available starting at $99 by calling (877) COLS-AFL or by visiting www.ColumbusDestroyers.com. Also for a limited time, fans may purchase a special season ticket package that includes two season tickets, two replica AFL footballs and two Destroyers hats for $198. Single game tickets are now on sale at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, The Bluelines at all Chiller Ice Rinks and all ticketmaster Ticket Centers. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for group rates by calling (614) 246-HITS.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 1, 2007


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