Destroyers open home schedule against defending ArenaBowl champion Chicago Rush

Published on March 19, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Destroyers (1-1), presented by Germain, will take on the defending ArenaBowl champion Chicago Rush (2-1) on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena on Saturday, Mar. 24. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

THIS WEEK: The Columbus Destroyers will face the Central Division leading Chicago Rush for the third time in history. The teams have split the decision in the first two contests. The last time the teams met on Feb. 19, 2005, the Destroyers were victorious 52-39. In that game, former Destroyers quarterback and current Rush quarterback, Matt D'Orazio led the way for Columbus completing 26-of-33 passes for 281 yards and four touchdowns. D'Orazio has many ties to the Columbus area as he graduated from St. Francis DeSales High School in 1995 then went on to quarterback Otterbein College (1996-99) where he earned all-Ohio Athletic Conference honors. The defending ArenaBowl champions are led by one of the AFL's most exciting receivers, Bobby Sippio. The Kissimmee, Fla., native currently leads the league with 13 touchdown receptions.

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

Tuesday, Mar. 20 Practice/Conditioning 9:45-a.m.-12:35 p.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Wednesday, Mar. 21 Practice 8 p.m. - 10:25 p.m. Nationwide Arena

Thursday, Mar. 22 Practice 7 p.m. - 9:05 p.m. Nationwide Arena

Friday, Mar. 23 Walkthrough Practice 10 a.m.-10:50 a.m. Nationwide Arena

DOWN IN THE BAYOU: The Destroyers tangled with the New Orleans VooDoo on Friday, Mar. 9, in front of 17,001 fans at New Orleans Arena. In a very close battle the VooDoo were able to hold off the Destroyers in the last minute of the game as a Matt Nagy pass was deflected out of the hands of an awaiting Damien Groce in the end zone that would have tied the score. The VooDoo held on for a 52-45 victory. The game marked the first AFL contest played in New Orleans since the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The 17,001 fans in attendance set a franchise mark for the VooDoo.

FEELING THE FORCE: The Destroyers will face Southern Division leading Georgia Force (3-0) on Friday, Mar. 30 on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena at 7 p.m. (ET). The Force are eighth in the AFL in offense averaging 296 yards per contest. Georgia's passing attack is led by quarterback Chris Griesen who leads the league with 23 touchdown passes. The receiving tandem of Troy Bergeron and Chris Jackson have combined for 50 receptions totaling 638 yards and 17 touchdowns.

CSN IS ON THE AIR: The Columbus Destroyers, presented by Germain, announced today that seven of the club's Arena Football League games will air on Columbus Sports Network (CSN) beginning with this Saturday's home opener against Chicago. The Destroyers vs. Rush contest will be CSN's first televised live event. CSN will also broadcast a weekly magazine show, Destroyers Digest, providing in-depth coverage and analysis of the team and the AFL. In the broadcast booth for CSN are Randy Rhinehart (play-by-play), Greg Frey (color commentator), Gary Berry (sideline reporter) and Ray Crawford (pre-game show and Destroyers Digest host).

ON THE AIRWAVES: This week's contest between the Destroyers and the Rush can be heard on your home for Destroyers football, the new WNNK 107.1 FM with the broadcast tandem of Steve Sefner (play-by-play) and Rob Blackman (color commentator). Tune in at 6:30 p.m. as the Destroyers pre-game show gets underway with a one-on-one interview with Destroyers Head Coach Doug Kay, player interviews and insider information.

GAME PROMOTIONS: Buckeye Football Alumni Night is Saturday, Mar. 24, when the Destroyers host the Chicago Rush. Fans can meet former Buckeye football players Mike Vrabel, Luke Fickell, Mike Tomczak, Dustin Fox, T.J. Downing, Gary Berry, Maurice Hall and other former Buckeyes. Also, support the "2nd and 7 Foundation" by bringing books to donate to Columbus-area second graders. Dispatch/Mix 97.1 Family Night packages are available for the home opener for the Destroyers as well. Receive four tickets, four hot dogs, four Pepsi's, four popcorns, one foam football and four Dispatch Ice Haus skate passes for as low as $66. The Huntington $10 Ticket Blitz begins opening night and continues for every home game during the 2007 Destroyers season. A minimum of 225 lower bowl seats will be available for $10 at the Nationwide Arena Box Office two hours prior to every home game. The regular price on lower bowl seats is $26. The Destroyers and partner, Giant Eagle, will team up with the Mid-Ohio FoodBank to TACKLE HUNGER in Central Ohio. Last year, with the help fans, the Destroyers raised enough resources to provide over 27,000 meals to those in need. Fans are encouraged to bring Giant Eagle branded non-perishable food items to all Destroyers home games and receive a discounted ticket. For more information visit www.ColumbusDestroyers.com.

TICKET INFORMATION: Single game tickets are now on sale at the Nationwide Arena Box Office, ticketmaster outlets and The Blueline locations at Chiller Dublin, Chiller Easton and Chiller North for as low as $12. Season tickets are available starting at $99 by calling (877) COLS-AFL and for a limited time fans may purchase a special season ticket package that includes two tickets, two replica AFL footballs and two Destroyers hats for $198. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for group rates by calling (614) 246-HITS.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 19, 2007


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