Destroyers Look For Season Sweep in Toronto
June 12, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Buffalo Destroyers News Release
(BUFFALO, NY)- The Buffalo Destroyers head to the great white north for a rare weeknight clash with Eastern Division rival the Toronto Phantoms, Thursday June 13 at 7:00 PM at the Air Canada Centre.
Both teams stand at 4-4 and are tied for second place, one game behind New Jersey, in the Eastern Division. The Fleet sunk the Phantoms 49-46 last month at the HSBC Arena as OS Lamont Cooper racked up 217 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. The Destroyers are coming off a 40-35 home win over the New York Dragons to improve their home record to 4-1. The team has struggled on the road at 0-3 but look to turn that around on Thursday.
"I asked each guy to bring something that reminds them of home," said head coach and general manager Ray Bentley. "I don't care if it is an alarm clock or picture, as long as it is something that has significance that reminds them of home."
Toronto also has hit some bumps in the road including last week's 35-22 loss to Georgia but they still have some of the best players in the league.
"They are a very talented group when they hit on all cylinders," Bentley continued. "Their problem is similar to ours, they are their own worst enemy. Injuries have also been a big problem as well."
Lamont Cooper broke the Destroyers single season all-purpose yards record last week vs. New York. His 133 yard performance lifted him to 1,506 all-purpose yards in only his first seven games in a Destroyers uniform. He passed teammate Bobby Olive who set the record with 1,450 in 2000.
Olive caught three passes for 44 yards last week in his first game in more than 13 months. In Olive's one career game vs. Toronto he led the Destroyers with 11 catches for 137 yards and three touchdowns and a total of 221 all-purpose yards. He was one of only four players last season to have over 200 all-purpose yards against Toronto in 2001.
The Destroyers will get a 10 day break before heading to New Jersey to battle the Gladiators, Sunday June 23 at 3:00 PM at the Continental Airlines Arena.
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