Destroyers end season with 78-53 loss to Tampa Bay
May 22, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release
COLUMBUS, OH â Shane Stafford passed for 277 yards and five touchdowns to give the Tampa Bay Storm a 78-53 victory over the Columbus Destroyers before a crowd of 12,990 in the season finale at Nationwide Arena Sunday afternoon. With the win, the Storm clinched a spot in the Arena Football League playoffs.
The Storm wiped out a 20-7 deficit after the first quarter to take a 28-27 lead at halftime. They proceeded to score 43 straight points.
Columbus was outscored 23-0 in the third quarter and didn't score in the second half until the 11:03 mark in the fourth quarter, when quarterback Matt D'Orazio connected with Jeremy Unertl from five yards out.
Tampa Bay, who led in time of possession 38:41 to 21:19, was paced by Demetris Bendross. He caught six catches for a game-high 95 yards and two touchdowns. Lynaris Elpheage added six catches for 44 yards and one touchdown. Stafford finished 26-of-38 passing for 277 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions.
Columbus was led by Cornelius White, who made six catches for 97 yards and three touchdowns. White scored six touchdowns in the final two games of the season. D'Orazio completed 16-of-26 passes for 213 yards and seven touchdowns with one interception. He also ran six times for 10 yards. D'Orazio's seven passing scores was a season and career high.
The Destroyers' defense was led by Brandon Hefflin, who made a game-high nine tackles, while Donvetis Franklin had seven tackles, with six unassisted.
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 22, 2005
- SaberCats travel to Colorado for playoff opener - San Jose SaberCats
- Drive to ArenaBowl XIX Las Vegas pairings set - AFL I
- Avengers Finale not so Grand - OSC Original by Tim Peterson
- Soul drop season finale, 77-63, to Dallas Desperados - Philadelphia Soul
- Destroyers end season with 78-53 loss to Tampa Bay - Columbus Destroyers
- Rush shuts down Kats, 45-21 - Chicago Rush
- Gladiators get snake bit by Rattlers, 49-42 - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Kats End Season Without a Rush - Nashville Kats
- L.A. Avengers to host Chicago Rush in divisional round of AFL Playoffs - Los Angeles Avengers
- Storm clinch playoff berth with win - Tampa Bay Storm
- Timely News, Notes And Tidbits About The Arena Football League - AFL I
- Avengers gear up for playoffs - Los Angeles Avengers
- San Jose clinches sixth consecutive playoff berth - San Jose SaberCats
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
- Renacci makes statement on AFL suspension
- Columbus Destroyers Announce Football Fan Pack In Time For Holidays
- Columbus Destroyers Receive First Pick In Dispersal Draft
- Columbus Destroyers Announce Assistant Coaches
- Destroyers acquire all-AFL linebacker Steve Watson
