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Destroyers look for second Eastern Division victory this weekend against Philadelphia

March 13, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


RECAP: The Columbus Destroyers could not overcome a 27-7 first half deficit as they fell 68-50 in front of 10,801 fans on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena on Friday night. Quarterback John Kaleo completed 28-of-35 passes for 342 yards and five touchdowns in the loss. Wide receiver/linebacker David Saunders led the receiving corps with eight receptions for 70 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Georgia was led by Chris Jackson, who had 10 receptions for 90 yards and a game-high four touchdowns.

THIS WEEK: The Destroyers are home for the back end of a back-to-back home game set on Saturday, Mar. 18, when they host Eastern Division rival Philadelphia Soul. Kickoff on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena is set for 7 p.m. The Destroyers enter the game looking to rebound from this past weekend's loss to the Georgia Force. The Soul are in action tonight taking on the Kansas City Brigade at Kemper Arena. It will mark the third Eastern Division battle of the season for the Destroyers, who have split the first two battles. The Destroyers and Soul have met four times with the Soul holding a 3-1 edge and the road team winning the past three games.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE: The practice schedule for this week is below. Practices 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 10:15 a.m.-12:40 p.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Wednesday Practice 10:15 a.m.-12:40 p.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Thursday Practice 9:15-11:30 a.m. Columbus FieldHouse

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

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

Sunday Film Review 8:15-10:15 a.m. Columbus FieldHouse

FORWARD MOTION: The Destroyers will hit the road for the first of back-to-back road games. The first will come against the defending ArenaBowl champion Colorado Crush, who have started the season 6-1 and are winners of three straight. Kickoff at the Pepsi Center is set for 9 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, Mar. 25. The Destroyers and Crush have met once in history with the Crush defeating the Destroyers 52-37 on Mar. 20, 2005. The Destroyers will take on the Eastern Division leading Dallas Desperados, on Saturday, Apr. 1. Kickoff at American Airlines Center is set for 7:30 p.m. (ET). Both games will broadcast live on FSN Ohio.

MAJOR DISTRIBUTOR: Destroyers quarterback John Kaleo has increased his yardage output each week, including a season-high 342 passing yards this past weekend against the Georgia Force. Kaleo completed 28-of-35 passes, five of which went for touchdowns. He did not throw an interception. Friday marked the second consecutive week that Kaleo has passed for over 300 yards. Of the 28 completions, Kaleo dished out passes to six different receivers, all six with at least two receptions. Offensive specialist Carl Bond had five receptions for a team-high 81 yards, while wide receiver/linebacker David Saunders had a team-high eight receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns.

BIG MAN FINDS ENDZONE: It's not every day that an offensive/defensive lineman finds himself in the end zone at any level of football. But Destroyers offensive/defensive lineman Ken Jones found his way into end zone on a 4-yard touchdown pass from quarterback John Kaleo. It was Jones' second reception on the day. His first went for 16 yards and almost a score. Defensively, Jones had an assisted tackle for a loss.

ROOKIE'S DEBUT: The 2006 season has been a season full of rookie debuts for the Columbus Destroyers. Wide receiver/defensive back B.J. Barre, offensive/defensive lineman Howard Duncan, and fullback/linebacker Harold Wells all have made their debut this season. This past weekend, offensive/defensive lineman Brad Greetis and wide receiver/defensive back Lance Taylor made their Arena Football League debuts. Taylor caught five passes for 69 yards and added three tackles (1UT-3AT) on defense. Greetis had an assisted tackle in his first career game.

ON THE AIR: As the Destroyers prepare for Philadelphia, fans can listen to the insiders' preview on "Destroyers Weekly" Monday, Mar. 13, 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 Steve Sefner. This week's show will feature defensive assistant Ian Cooper and wide receiver/defensive back Lance Taylor. This Saturday's game against the Soul will broadcast live on FSN Ohio.

GAME PROMOTIONS: The Columbus Destroyers celebrate the great game of football from Pop Warner to the NFL with Professional Football Night when the Destroyers take on the Philadelphia Soul on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena on Saturday, March 18 at 7 p.m. Fans are encouraged to come to the game wearing their favorite team gear. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

The evening begins with a pre-game autograph session featuring former OSU defensive standouts including three-time SuperBowl champion Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots along with 2002 National Champion Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlagel. In conjunction with the autograph session, the Destroyers will be collecting new or gently used children's books to support the non-profit organization co-founded by Mike Vrabel, the 2nd and 7 Foundation, to promote literacy throughout Central Ohio. For more information on the Foundation, visit www.secondandseven.com.

At halftime, former Cincinnati Bengals star running back Ickey Woods will perform his famous "Ickey Shuffle" and judge contestants as they perform their own rendition of his famous end zone dance.

In keeping with the Destroyers' mission to support the development of youth football in Central Ohio, young fans (ages 7-14) are invited to register for an afternoon football clinic conducted by Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver and former OSU standout Joey Galloway along with Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlagel. A host of Destroyers players will assist in running the young players through a variety of drills to teach fundamentals. For more information on the clinic, visit www.ColumbusDestroyers.com for an online registration form or call (614) 246-HITS.

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 are now available starting 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 each home 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.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 13, 2006


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.

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