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AFL Columbus Destroyers

Destroyers Fall to Empire in Season Opener, 35-19

April 27, 2019 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


The Empire struck first when fullback Mykel Benson rumbled into the endzone from six yards out to give the home team an early 7-0 lead. Columbus answered on the next drive when Southwick found Stoshak for a 17-yard scoring strike. A blocked extra point trimmed Albany's lead to 7-6 with 2:47 remaining in the first.

In the second quarter, the Destroyers forced a turnover on downs before Empire jack linebacker Terence Moore picked off a Southwick pass. Albany quarterback Tommy Grady found wide receiver Quentin Sims for a six-yard score on the next play to push their lead to 14-6 with 6:06 left in the first half. The Empire closed the first half with 24-yard throw-and-catch from Grady to wide receiver Malachi Jones, giving Albany a 21-6 lead at the break.

Albany extended their lead on their opening drive of the second half when Grady found Sims for a seven-yard strike to increase the Empire's lead to 28-6. After Southwick was intercepted by Albany defensive back Arkeith Brown, wide receiver Christian Briggs hauled in a 16-yard touchdown pass from Grady to give the Empire a 35-6 advantage with 4:45 left in the third quarter. Russell relieved Southwick on Columbus' next series and found Stoshak for his second touchdown of the game, this one a 29-yarder to cut into Albany's lead, 35-13.

In the fourth quarter, Sonie picked off Grady, giving Columbus the ball back briefly. After both teams both turned the ball over on downs, Russell scored from six yards out to close out the scoring for the evening, cementing a 35-19 home victory for the Empire.

Next up for the Destroyers is a road match-up versus the Atlantic City Blackjacks on Saturday, May 4th at 3:30pm from the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. The game can be seen live on the CW, heard on CD102.5, and streamed on the Monumental Sports Network.

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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