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Destroyers look to continue recent streak on the road against Eastern Division rival Dallas

March 27, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


RECAP: The Columbus Destroyers defense had its second consecutive week of shutting down one of the Arena Football League's top offenses as they forced seven turnovers and held the Colorado Crush to a franchise low in points in a 65-21 victory in front of 17, 416 fans at the Pepsi Center Saturday night. It was the Destroyers' fourth win in their past five games and second straight week they held a team to a franchise low in points scored. Defensive specialist Brandon Hefflin led the defensive charge with a game-high 13.5 tackles (13UT-1AT), recovered two fumbles and had an interception.

THIS WEEK: The Destroyers finish up a two-game road trip when they travel to National Conference leading Dallas on Saturday, Apr. 1. Kickoff at American Airlines Center is set for 7:30 p.m. (ET). The Desperados enter the game with an Arena Football League-best record of 7-2. Dallas and Columbus have met five times in history with the Desperados holding a 4-1 edge. This is the second meeting of the season between the Eastern Division teams with the Desperados winning the first contest by a 52-38 margin. The game will broadcast tape-delayed on FSN Ohio.

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 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 8:30-9:20 a.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Travel to Dallas

Saturday Game vs. Dallas 6:30 p.m. (CT) American Airlines Center

Sunday Film Review TBA Columbus FieldHouse

FORWARD MOTION: Following Saturday's Eastern Division battle against Dallas, the Destroyers will return home to Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena on Sunday, Apr. 9. Kickoff against the Orlando Predators is set for 3 p.m. Columbus and Orlando have met five times overall and four times during the regular season in history. The Predators hold a 4-1 edge overall and a 3-1 record during the regular season. The teams have not met since Apr. 4, 2004, when the Predators defeated the Destroyers 55-46 in front of 16,020 fans at Nationwide Arena.

SOPHOMORE SENSATION: Destroyers defensive specialist Brandon Hefflin had arguably the best game of his Arena Football career Saturday night. The second-year player from Toledo (Ohio) had a game-high 13.5 tackles (13UT-1AT), two fumble recoveries and an interception to take home ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors. It was the second time in history that Hefflin has won the honor. The interception came on the Colorado Crush's first drive of the game and was the first of seven turnovers forced by the Destroyers. It was a career-best in tackles for Hefflin, who in seven games leads the team in tackles with 36.0 (29UT-14-AT), and has two interceptions, two fumble recoveries as well as a pass breakup.

WHY THEY ARE THE BEST: The Destroyers defense has been solid all season long, ranking in the Top 5 in the AFL in every defensive category. But as of late, neither the Philadelphia Soul nor Colorado Crush offenses could solve the Destroyers' defensive scheme. In Week 8 against the Soul, the Destroyers forced five Soul turnovers and held Philadelphia to 20 points. It was the second fewest points a Destroyers team has allowed and the fewest points scored in franchise history for the Soul. The Destroyers defense followed that performance with an even better showing against the defending ArenaBowl champions. Columbus forced the Crush into seven turnovers and held them to a franchise-worst 21 points. The Destroyers lead the League in Scoring Defense (41.0 points allowed per game), Interceptions (15), Turnover Margin (plus-12) and are second in Fumbles Recovered (14) and rank third in Total Defense (254.9 yards allowed per game).

BROWN CONTINUES TO DELIVER: When it comes to intercepting passes, Destroyers defensive specialist Jerald Brown has become an expert. For the fifth time in the past six games, Brown had at least one interception. It was his eighth of the season, which ties him for the Destroyers' single-season record set by Dwaine Carpenter during the 2003 campaign. Brown also is on pace to set the Arena Football League's single-season record. The current record of 13, held by San Jose's Clevan Thomas, who set the record in 2003, is in jeopardy. Brown currently is on pace to intercept 14 passes this season. On the season, Brown has 34.0 tackles (26UT-16AT), seven pass breakups and a 40-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown.

ON THE AIR: As the Destroyers prepare for Dallas, fans can listen to the insiders' preview on "Destroyers Weekly" Monday, Mar. 27, 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 head coach Doug Kay, defensive specialist Brandon Hefflin as well as Dallas quarterback Clint Dolezel. This Saturday's game against the Desperados will broadcast tape-delayed Sunday, Apr. 2, at 1 p.m. on FSN Ohio.

GAME PROMOTIONS: When the Destroyers return home on Sunday, Apr. 8, to take on the Orlando Predators, it will be Zooperstars Character Night and Dispatch/Mix 97.1 Family Game. The Zooperstars are hilarious characters that dance, flip, bounce, shake, and just plain entertain.

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 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 27, 2006


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