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AFL Columbus Destroyers

Destroyers Fall Just Short in Atlantic City, 42-35

May 4, 2019 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - The Columbus Destroyers, presented by GermainCars.com, fell just short to the Atlantic City Blackjacks on Saturday afternoon, 42-35, at the Boardwalk Hall. With the loss, the Destroyers drop to 0-2 on the season. Quarterback Grant Russell made his first career start, throwing for 211 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception, while wide receiver Fabian Guerra caught five passes for 44 yards and three touchdowns in his debut.

After a turnover on the opening kickoff, the Destroyers cashed in when Russell found wide receiver Paul Revis for a five-yard scoring strike, giving Columbus an early 6-0 lead. On the next drive, Atlantic City wide receiver LaMark Brown rushed for a two-yard score to give the Blackjacks their first lead of the game, 7-6. The Destroyers answered on the ensuing possession when Russell found Guerra for a six-yard touchdown, giving Columbus the lead once again, 13-7.

The teams continued trading leads in the second quarter as Blackjacks quarterback Randy Hippeard took it in himself from one yard out, giving Atlantic City a 14-13 lead. The home team responded on their next drive, as wide receiver Antwane Grant rushed for a nine-yard touchdown, as the Blackjacks reclaimed the lead, 21-20 heading into halftime.

After the Destroyers turned it over on downs to open the third quarter, the Blackjacks extended their lead thanks to Hippeard finding fullback Wesley Mauia for a two-yard touchdown.

In the opening moments of the fourth quarter Russell threw his fourth touchdown of the game, finding Guerra for his second score of the day, trimming Atlantic City's lead to 28-27. After both teams traded turnovers, Hippeard connected with Brown on a 10-yard touchdown to give the Blackjacks a 35-27 advantage with seven minutes left in the game. On Columbus' next drive, Atlantic City defensive lineman Lynden Trail picked off Russell and rumbled 12 yards for the score, giving the Blackjacks their largest lead of the game, 42-27.

On the next drive, Columbus closed the scoring for the evening when Russell connected with Guerra for his third receiving touchdown of the night. Russell ran it in himself for the two-point conversion, sealing a 42-35 victory for Atlantic City.

For more info and statistics on today's game, click HERE.

Next up for the Destroyers is a road match-up versus the Baltimore Brigade on Friday, May 10th at 7:00pm from the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, MD. The game can be seen live on the CW, heard on CD102.5, and streamed on ESPN3.

The Columbus Destroyers are members of the Arena Football League (AFL) and make their return to Nationwide Arena this summer! Interested in purchasing tickets? Call (614) 228-5518, visit ColumbusDestroyers.com or stop by the Big Lots! Box Office at Nationwide Arena to get your seats today! For partnership opportunities, please click HERE. Be sure to follow the Destroyers on Twitter @AFLDestroyers, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AFLDestroyers, and on Instagram @AFLDestroyers.

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