Destroyers in thick of playoff hunt, play final home game Saturday vs. Tampa Bay

Published on May 1, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


RECAP: For the second consecutive week, the Columbus Destroyers rallied and then held off a late opposing charge on the road to defeat the Austin Wranglers 40-33 in front of 10,340 fans at the Frank Erwin Center on Saturday night. Destroyers' wide receiver/defensive back B.J. Barre intercepted a John Fitzgerald pass in the end zone as time expired to secure the Destroyers victory. The win was the seventh of the season, the most in franchise history. Barre took home ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors after he recorded the interception, added a forced fumble and 5.5 tackles (5UT-1AT). Kicker Mark Lewis was named Offensive Player of the Game after he made all four of his field goal attempts from 21, 17, 37 and 26 yards. He also was perfect on extra points, going 4-of-4. He now has made 36 consecutive extra points.

THIS WEEK: The Destroyers will return home for their final regular season home game on Saturday, May 6, when they host the Tampa Bay Storm (7-7). Kickoff on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena is set for 7 p.m. (ET). The game will match former coaching mates, Destroyers head coach/former Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Doug Kay and Tampa Bay head coach Tim Marcum. The duo worked together in 1993 to help the Storm claim the ArenaBowl VII championship. The duo has faced each other four times as opposing head coaches. The Destroyers and Storm have met four times in history with the Storm holding a 4-0 edge. The last time the teams met came on the final week of the 2005 season. The Destroyers led 20-7 after the first quarter of play, but were unable to hold on and fell 78-53 in front of 12,990 fans at Nationwide Arena.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE: The practice schedule for this week is below. Practice times and locations are subject to change. All practices at the Columbus FieldHouse are open to the public. Practices/Walk-Thru's at Nationwide Arena are closed to the public.

Day Event Time Place

Monday Off

Tuesday Practice 1-2 p.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Wednesday Practice 10:30a.m.-noon Columbus FieldHouse

Thursday Practice 9:30-11:30 a.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Friday Practice 9:30-10:20 a.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Saturday Game vs. Tampa Bay 7 p.m. Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena

FORWARD MOTION: The Destroyers will close out the regular season on the road when they travel to take on American Conference power San Jose. The SaberCats (8-6) and Destroyers have met five times in history with San Jose holding a 5-0 edge. The teams have not met since the Destroyers moved to Columbus in 2004. The last meeting came in 2003, when the Buffalo Destroyers traveled to San Jose and suffered a 58-41 setback in front of 13,047 fans at the HP Pavilion.

FRANCHISE RECORDS BROKEN: The Columbus Destroyers had the best weekend in franchise history this past Saturday night at Austin. The team set new franchise records in the 40-33 victory over the Wranglers. The Destroyers set a new franchise mark for wins in a season, with seven. The previous record was held by the 2001 and 2002 Buffalo Destroyers, as well as the 2004 Columbus Destroyers, who all had six wins in their respective seasons. The win also was the fourth road win of the season for the Destroyers, which breaks the old mark of three, set by the 2004 Columbus Destroyers. The team still has one road game remaining on the schedule.

TIED FOR PLAYOFF SPOT: With this past weekend's 40-33 victory over the Austin Wranglers, the Destroyers moved into a three-way tie for the sixth and final playoff spot in the National Conference. Tampa Bay defeated the Kansas City Brigade 58-42 to improve to 7-7 on the season. Philadelphia fell to 7-7 after failing to comeback from a 43-24 halftime deficit to lose 65-58 to New York. The Destroyers hold the tiebreaker over Philadelphia, as Columbus defeated the Soul in both meetings this season. The Storm and Destroyers will meet for the first time this season with the winner gaining the head-to-head edge over the other.

TAMPA GAME IMPORTANT FOR MANY REASONS: This weekend's contest between the Destroyers and Storm will have more than just a win or a loss on the line. Both teams are fighting for playoff position and currently sit tied with Philadelphia at 7-7 for the sixth and final playoff spot in the National Conference. The winner of this game will get a major edge in the playoff race heading into the final weekend. The game also will match-up two former coaching partners. Destroyers' head coach Doug Kay and Tampa Bay head coach Tim Marcum were the defensive coordinator and head coach, respectively, of the ArenaBowl VII Tampa Bay Storm in 1993. Exactly 10 years later, Destroyers quarterback John Kaleo, wide receiver/linebacker David Saunders and offensive/defensive lineman Kelvin Kinney all teamed with Marcum to help the Storm claim the ArenaBowl XVII title. Saturday's game will mark the first time the trio has played against their former coach together.

ON THE AIR: As the Destroyers prepare for Tampa Bay, fans can listen to the insiders' preview on "Destroyers Weekly" Monday, May 1, from 7-8 p.m. on 107.1 FM, The Big Wazoo in Columbus. The live, hour-long show will be hosted by WLVQ/WAZU Sports Director "Archie" and Destroyers play-by-play announcer Marty Bannister. This week's show will feature offensive coordinator Ken Matous and defensive specialist Cecil Doggette, as well as Tampa Bay radio analyst Jason Dixon.

GAME PROMOTIONS: This Saturday's game against the Tampa Bay Storm will be Rooster's Wing Bash & Dispatch/Mix 97.1 Family Night. Rooster's presents a pre-game party featuring live entertainment, Rooster's wings and Bud Light on the McConnell Street Plaza for the final regular-season game.

This season, the Destroyers will again team with the Mid-Ohio FoodBank to "Tackle Hunger" in Central Ohio. Fans are asked to bring non-perishable food items to each home game for donation to the Mid-Ohio FoodBank. In turn, fans will receive one raffle ticket per donated food item for a chance to win a team-autographed, authentic AFL football. One winner will be announced during the fourth quarter of each game. Last season, the Destroyers raised enough resources to provide over 27,000 meals to those in need right here in our community.

TICKET INFORMATION: Single-game tickets start as low as $10 and are 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 the 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.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 1, 2006


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