Sports stats

Destroyers outlast Cobras

May 1, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


CHARLOTTE, NC – Offensive specialist Sedrick Robinson ran for a touchdown, caught two touchdown passes and threw for a touchdown in leading the Columbus Destroyers to their second road win and fourth overall following a 60-52 decision over the host Carolina Cobras at the Charlotte Coliseum Saturday night.

The win improved the Destroyers record to 4-8, while the Cobras fell to 4-8 on the season.

Robinson finished the game with six catches for a game-high 152 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He also gained 108 yards on six kick returns, giving him 272 all-purpose yards in the contest. Columbus quarterback Ryan Vena led his team to victory, completing 17-of-31 passes for 236 yards and four touchdowns. Kicker Steve Videtich had a strong game, hitting all three of his field goal attempts (56, 42, 20), while also connecting on all seven extra point attempts in the game.

Quarterback Rickey Foggie led the Cobras having completed 22-of-30 pass attempts for 232 yards and six touchdowns in a losing effort. Wide receiver/linebacker Damien Groce led Carolina in receiving with five catches fro 67 yards and two scores.

After consuming the opening six minutes of the first quarter, the Destroyers jumped out to an early 7-0 advantage following a three-yard rushing touchdown courtesy of fullback/linebacker Richard McCleskey. The touchdown was McCleskey's first of the season.

Columbus then attempted an on-side kick, which was successful, and recovered by lineman Carey Clayton at the Columbus 12 yard-line. The Destroyers then took advantage of the turnover, two plays later adding their second touchdown in the first eight minutes of the contest. Robinson took a pitch from Vena, rolled out to his left and found offensive/defensive lineman LaKendrick Jones streaking down the sideline with no defenders in sight for a 34-yard touchdown connection. The touchdown was the second of the season for Jones.

Carolina would cut Columbus' lead in half on their ensuing possession after Foggie hooked up with wide receiver/defensive back Bernard Holmes for a 16-yard touchdown late in the opening quarter. The Destroyers quickly responded however, extending their lead to ten on a 56-yard field goal from kicker Steve Videtich, giving Columbus a 17-7 lead at the end of the first quarter of play.

Already claiming a ten-point advantage, the Destroyers put themselves in position to take control of the game after forcing the second Carolina turnover of the first half on defensive specialist JoJo Polk's team-leading third interception of the season. Polk picked off an errant Foggey pass and returned it 31 yards to the Carolina 23 yard-line, setting up Columbus' third touchdown of the game. Two plays later, Robinson took a pitch from Vena and this time opted to scamper his way five yards for a Columbus score, extending the Destroyers lead to 17 at 24-7.

Following a Carolina touchdown and a 29-yard return from Robinson, the Destroyers took over possession at their own 22 yard-line. However, on Columbus' first play from scrimmage, Vena was stripped of the ball by Carolina lineman Bryan Ray and recovered by fellow lineman Troy Pelshak at the Columbus 18 yard-line. One play later, Foggey found Groce in the endzone as the Cobras crept to within four of the Destroyers with 1:27 left in the first half.

With just over one minute remaining in the half, the Destroyers were no where near done putting points on the board. Columbus would score twelve points in the final minute and change of the first half to take a 36-20 lead into the break. First, Robinson notched his second touchdown of the half on a 32-yard pass reception from Vena. Then, offensive/defensive lineman Tyronn Johnson brought Foggey down in his own endzone, and after an intentional grounding call, was awarded a sack and team safety. Finally, Videtich added his second field goal of the game, connecting from 42 yards out to give the Destroyers their largest halftime lead of the season.

Carolina would outscore Columbus 14-3 in the first ten minutes of the third quarter to pull to within six points of the Destroyers with just under five minutes remaining in the quarter. However, following Carolina's second score of the half, Columbus would re-gain the breathing room they enjoyed at the half following Robinson's second receiving touchdown of the game. Robinson eluded his defender and found himself wide open down the sideline before Vena lofted the ball into his arms for a 45-yard touchdown play. With the score, the Destroyers extended their lead back to double digits, 46-33 late in the third quarter.

The two teams would then trade scores, with Carolina finding the endzone in the final seconds of the third and Columbus scoring a touchdown two minutes into the final quarter. The Cobras kept pace with the Destroyers as the fourth quarter progressed, scoring their fourth touchdown of the second half on a 35-yard pass from Foggie to Groce to remain within striking distance at 53-47 with just over six minutes remaining in the contest.

The Destroyers kept the Cobras fighting an uphill battle however, scoring what would prove to be the deciding touchdown as Vena found Tyronn Johnson in the endzone from six yards out to give the Destroyers a 13-point lead which they would never relinquish.

The Destroyers return home next Sunday, May 1 to take on the Georgia Force at Nationwide Arena. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m. (ET). In celebration of Mother's Day, the Destroyers will offer fans a chance to take advantage of a "Buy Three, Mom Goes for Free" special ticket offer. Buy three tickets priced at either the $9 or $12 and receive the fourth free. This special offer is redeemable at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office and through Ticketmaster for the Mother's Day game only.

Destroyers tickets, starting as low as $9, may be purchased at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, online at www.ColumbusDestroyers.com or by phone at (614) 431-3600. Tickets are also available at the Blue Jackets Zones at Chiller Dublin and Chiller Easton.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 1, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Columbus Destroyers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central