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Destroyers oust Predators in first ever home victory

April 4, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, OH – Entering week nine of the regular season, the Columbus Destroyers laid claim to the largest average attendance in the Arena Football League. Sunday afternoon the Destroyers rewarded their fans. In front of 16,020 patrons, Columbus claimed their first home win of the season following a 55-46 decision over the Orlando Predators at Nationwide Arena. The win also gave Columbus (2-6) their first-ever victory over Orlando (3-5).

Already with a two-point advantage, Destroyers quarterback Ryan Vena scurried around the left side of the line on a fourth down play for a four-yard touchdown to put Columbus ahead of the visiting Predators by nine, a lead which they would never relinquish.

Destroyers offensive specialist Sedrick Robinson, who was named Ironman of the Game, led Columbus in receiving with four catches, 76 yards and two touchdowns and sparked the Destroyers special teams play, returning five kickoffs for 114 yards. Predator offensive specialist Corey Fleming led all receivers in the game with 13 receptions, 164 yards and three touchdowns in the losing effort.

Vena led the Destroyers to victory, earning himself offensive player of the game awards with 11 of his 17 passes finding their mark, four of them in the end-zone for 185 yards passing. Connell Maynor led the Predators aerial attack, completing 25-of-41 pass attempts for 281 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.

Defensive specialist JoJo Polk led Columbus and the game with heads-up play, amassing eight total tackles, seven solo, one forced fumble, one interception and two key fourth-down pass break-ups earning him Defensive Player of the Game honors.

After deferring to receive the second-half kickoff, the Destroyers opened the game on defense and quickly found themselves in a hole, giving up an opening drive touchdown to the Predators when Maynor connected with Fleming streaking through the end-zone to go up 7-0.

Columbus promptly answered on and 18-yard touchdown pass from Vena to fullback/linebacker Wilmont Perry to tie the score at seven early in the first. Perry would eventually score three touchdowns in the game, each by a different method. He would score on a reception, a kick return and a rush.

Destroyers kicker Steve Videtich made consecutive field goals of 21 and 32 yards to put Columbus on top by six at 13-7. Both teams traded touchdowns for the remainder of the half including a failed Orlando onside kick attempt which was scooped up and returned seven yards for a touchdown by Perry. The two teams entered the half tied at 27.

Columbus went ahead for good in the third quarter and never looked back after a 45-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver/linebacker Cornelius White preceding a three-yard scoring rumble by Perry.

The Predators came almost within reach, however two failed point-after attempts and a closing-seconds interception in the end-zone by Destroyer-newcomer defensive specialist Del Lee thwarted any chance of an Orlando comeback.

The Columbus Destroyers take the field next on Saturday, April 10 at home for a rematch with Eastern Conference foe, the New York Dragons. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are still available for Saturday's meeting with New York. Tickets, starting as low at $9, may be purchased at Nationwide Arena, at the Chillers in Dublin and Easton, through Ticketmaster, by visiting www.columbusdestroyers.com or call (614) 431-3600.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 4, 2004


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