Destroyers Ready For Final Pre-season Test
April 10, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Buffalo Destroyers News Release
(Buffalo, NY) - Don't tell Destroyers head coach and general manager Ray Bentley that a pre-season game doesn't really matter, especially when his hometown team is the opposition. The Destroyers host ArenaBowl XV champion Grand Rapids Rampage Thursday night at 7:30 PM at the HSBC Arena in their final test before the 2002 regular season gets underway.
"This game is special to me for many reasons," said Bentley. "I grew up in Grand Rapids and I know many of the guys in the Rampage organization. Our guys know how much I want to win."
This will be the final shot for a few guys to make the team. The Destroyers will cut down their 30-man roster to 24 this weekend and Coach Bentley says that everyone is fighting for a spot on the team.
"It will be tough to let six guys go," Bentley said. "A lot of positions can go either way. We have four guys in a dog fight for our fullback position. I have nine guys on the line who have all played well, but I can only keep seven."
The one sure thing for Bentley's crew is to improve on their performance from Detroit where the dropped a 32-27 decision to the Fury. The starters will play the first half depending on how things go. If they play well, they will sit so the back-ups can leave one last impression on the coaching staff.
The Destroyers kick off the regular season next Friday, April 19 at 7:30 PM at the HSBC Arena as they welcome the New Jersey Gladiators to Buffalo. Season and group tickets are available now. Call 881-4444!
For up-to-the-minute information on the 2002 Buffalo Destroyers, visit: www.buffalodestroyers.com.
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