Sports stats

Destroyers defense dominates Soul in 53-20 rout

March 18, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Destroyers defense forced four Philadelphia Soul turnovers in a 53-20 rout in front of 12,807 fans on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena on Saturday night. The 20 points allowed by the Destroyers defense was the second fewest in franchise history and fewest since the team moved to Columbus in 2004. The lowest came on Feb. 9, 2003, when the Destroyers topped Carolina 44-16.

Destroyers quarterback John Kaleo must have been closely watching the NCAA basketball tournament the last few days as he looked like a point guard distributing the ball to eight different receivers. Kaleo was sharp connecting on 26-of-34 attempts for 302 yards and 5 touchdown passes. It was the third consecutive game that Kaleo has passed for over 300 yards.

Wide receiver/linebacker David Saunders took home Ironman of the Game honors after hauling in seven passes for 100 yards and two scores. Defensively, Saunders added two fumble recoveries and 1.5 tackles.

The Destroyers received the opening kickoff and marched down the field in the game's first three minutes. Kaleo threw a perfect pass from 17-yards out to Saunders to give the Destroyers a 7-0 lead.

Philadelphia answered right back when quarterback Tony Graziani found wide receiver/defensive back Mike Brown on a 27-yard connection to knot it up 7-7. Brown led the Soul in receiving with nine receptions for 117 yards and a score to earn Offensive Player of the Game honors.

The Destroyers regained the lead on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Kaleo to offensive specialist Carl Bond who had snuck behind the Philadelphia defense. Mark Lewis missed the extra point giving the Destroyers a 13-7 lead. Philadelphia slowly moved the ball down the field only to be shut down by the Destroyers defense inside the Columbus 10-yard line. Philadelphia kicker Todd France knocked threw an 18-yard field goal to make the score 13-10 Columbus.

With both teams unable to score off of their opponent's turnovers in the second quarter, Columbus made the best of their second opportunity. Graziani's screen pass to Sean Scott was juggled and tossed into the hands of defensive specialist Jerald Brown for his team leading sixth interception of the season.

Brown didn't stop there. He carried the ball a short 3-yards for the score extending Columbus' lead to 20-10. Brown would later add his seventh interception of the season to be named Defensive Player of the game. It was the third time this season that Brown had two interceptions in a game.

The second half started off with a scary situation. During a scrum for a loose ball on the opening kick from Columbus, fullback/linebacker Chris Browning dove head first in an attempt to recover the bouncing ball. He was down for several minutes before a backboard and stretcher were brought out to carry Browning out of the arena. Browning suffered a neck injury and was taken to Grant Medical Center for precautionary reasons.

With the Destroyers leading 23-20, Columbus was put in good field position after a Philadelphia pass interference call in the end zone. On the very next play Kaleo connected with Bond on a 13-yard touchdown pass to give the Destroyers a 30-20 lead, one they would not lose.

A holding penalty stalled Philadelphia's ensuing drive and forced a 33-yard field goal attempt. Quarterback Matt Sauk fumbled the snap and was chased down and tackled by offensive/defensive lineman Kelvin Kinney during a feeble attempt to scramble free.

Columbus capitalized on Philadelphia's blunder by just taking just one play for Kaleo to find Sanders on a 19-yard touchdown pass to give the Destroyers a 37-20 lead. After Brown's second interception, Kaleo found wide receiver/linebacker Thabiti Davis for a 34-yard touchdown pass giving Columbus a 44-20 lead.

Columbus would add a safety and a late rushing touchdown by fullback/linebacker Harold Wells from 4-yards out with 0:12 remaining.

Columbus will hit the road for first of back-to-back road contests. On Saturday, Mar. 25, the Destroyers will take on the defending ArenaBowl champion Colorado Crush. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. at the Pepsi Center. The game will broadcast live on FSN Ohio. The following week, the Destroyers will travel to Dallas to take on the Desperados. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

Single game tickets starting as low as $10 are on sale now and pro-rated season tickets also 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 March 18, 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.

Other Recent Columbus Destroyers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central