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Destroyers look to end three-game skid at home against Arizona

February 20, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


RECAP: The Columbus Destroyers could not capitalize on a few scoring chances and turned the ball over five times in a 45-24 loss to the Kansas City Brigade in front of 14,632 fans at Kemper Arena on Sunday. The loss is the third in the row for the Destroyers after opening the season with a victory. Kansas City won its first game in team history by dominating the time of possession and scoring on all five Destroyers turnovers. The Brigade had possession of the ball for 42 minutes, 28 seconds of the 60-minute game.

THIS WEEK: The Destroyers return home to host the Arizona Rattlers Friday on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The Rattlers (1-3) earned their first win of the season this past weekend against the Utah Blaze. The Destroyers and Rattlers have met six times in history, with five of those games coming during the regular season. Arizona holds a 5-1 edge overall and are 4-1 against the Destroyers in the regular season. The teams met once in 2005 at America West Arena in Phoenix. Arizona won the Week 11 contest by a count of 70-53.

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 Film Review 8-10:30 a.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Tuesday Practice 10:15 a.m.-12:40 p.m. Nationwide Arena

Wednesday Practice 10:15 a.m.-12:40 p.m. Nationwide Arena

Thursday Practice 9:15-11:30 a.m. Nationwide Arena

Friday Game vs. Arizona 7 p.m. Nationwide Arena

Saturday Film Review 8-10:30 a.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Sunday Off

FORWARD MOTION: After Friday's game against the Arizona Rattlers, the Destroyers will hit the road to take on National Conference Eastern Division rival New York Dragons. The Destroyers and Dragons both enter the game with an 0-1 mark in Eastern Division play. Columbus and Dallas opened the Eastern Conference season in Week 3 with the Desperados taking home a 52-38 victory. New York and Philadelphia met this past weekend with the Soul winning xx-xx. The Destroyers have faced off against the Dragons and have met 12 times in history. New York, along with Las Vegas (12 meetings each) are the most common opponent for the Destroyers. The Dragons hold a 8-4 edge over the Destroyers, including a sweep of last season's series.

WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU?: Destroyers defensive specialist Jerald Brown has a knack for big returns, at least on fumbles and interceptions. In Week 1 against the Grand Rapids Rampage, Brown returned a fumble 40 yards for a touchdown. On Sunday against Kansas City, Brown set a career high in interceptions in a game with two. He narrowly missed returning both for touchdowns. His first interception stopped the Brigade's first drive at the goal line, while the second Brown picked off in the endzone. His two returns totaled 48 yards and brings his season return total to 88 on the season. Brown also led the team in tackles with 6.0 (4UT-4AT).

"SECOND"ARY TO NONE: Sunday's contest against Kansas City was a defensive shootout as both teams' defenses combined to force eight turnovers. The Destroyers had two interceptions and a fumble recovery. The fumble recovery was picked up by wide receiver/linebacker Thabiti Davis, who returned the fumble seven yards for a touchdown. Davis also added a touchdown reception on the day. The defense also forced the Brigade to attempt four field goals. Unfortunately for the Destroyers, Brigade kicker Tim Seder connected on all four attempts from 20, 20, 21 and 39.

LINCOLN IS JUST AS QUALITY AS THE CAR: Destroyers wide receiver/defensive back Lincoln Dupree has done just about everything he possibly could do so far this season. Dupree, who is one of the primary kick returners for the Destroyers, is among the team leaders in almost every category. On Sunday, he added to all of those numbers as he returned four kickoffs for 103 yards, including a 48-yard return as well as adding three pass receptions for 22 yards. On defense, Dupree had three assisted tackles and a pass break up. On the season, Dupree has 15 kickoff returns for 335 yards, a 28-yard missed field goal return, has hauled in eight passes for 56 yards as well as chipping in with 6.5 tackles and two pass breakups.

ON THE AIR: As the Destroyers prepare for Kansas City, fans can listen to the insiders' preview on "Destroyers Weekly" Monday, Feb. 20, 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 offensive assistant/special teams coordinator Chris MacKeown, offensive/defensive lineman Ken Jones as well as Arizona head coach Gene Nudo.

GAME PROMOTIONS: The Columbus Destroyers invite football fans to meet Ohio State University Head Football Coach Jim Tressel presented by The Buckeye Corner at Nationwide Arena on Friday, Feb. 24, when the Destroyers face the Arizona Rattlers at 7 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. when Coach Tressel will conduct a chalk talk for all fans who arrive early.

Following the chalk talk in the arena bowl, Coach Tressel will take part in a pre-game autograph session on the Bud Light Terrace along with five members of his 2002 National Championship team - safety Will Allen, defensive tackle Tim Anderson, punter Andy Groom, safety Donnie Nickey and defensive tackle Kenny Peterson. The autograph session is scheduled to run from 5:45 - 6:45 p.m. followed by kickoff at 7 p.m. Visit www.coachtressel.com for a chance to win tickets to the 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 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 February 20, 2006


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