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Destroyers look good in scrimmage against Rush

January 14, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Destroyers coaching staff got its first look at the players in a game situation against an opposing team on Saturday. The Destroyers and the Chicago Rush faced off in a controlled scrimmage on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena.

The scrimmage, which ran for an hour and a half, had the Rush offense taking on the Destroyers defense for 10 plays (including kickoffs) and then the Destroyers offense going against the Rush defense. The teams got four turns each at offense and defense. The day was capped with both field goal units attempting two field goals each.

"It was an evaluation process," head coach Doug Kay said. "I think we did some good things with the football."

Highlighting the day were quarterback John Kaleo and wide receiver/defensive back Ira Gooch. Kaleo completed all 10 of his passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Gooch led the receiving corps with seven receptions for 53 yards and two touchdowns. He also had two kick returns for 65 yards, which included a 49-yard return.

"John was doing a good job getting the ball out and the receivers protected it and ran with it pretty well," Kay said. "We didn't play defense nearly as well as we could have. We played it better yesterday afternoon than we played it today."

The defense did have a few big plays with six sacks and an interception on the day. Offensive/defensive lineman Juan Porter had a pair of sacks and defensive specialist Brandon Hefflin had the lone interception on the day.

"And the thing is that the linemen were held back because we were blowing a horn before they got to the quarterback," Kay said. "That takes a little bit off for them, but they still looked good."

Also standing out statistically were: offensive specialist Carlos Johnson, who hauled in two touchdown passes; wide receiver/defensive back B.J. Barre, who had four receptions for 46 yards; and Leroy Thompson had a 1-yard touchdown plunge.

"The best thing about this is that you get to see how the youngsters react in a game like scrimmage," Kay said. "Some of the youngsters will come and do the right thing, but not do it as well as we would have liked, but if they do the right thing, we can take them and improve them."

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