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Destroyers return to Nationwide Arena to host their Eastern Division rival Dragons

May 19, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Destroyers return to the friendly confines of Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena when they host the New York Dragons on Saturday, May 24. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (ET). Below is a look ahead at this week's opponent, practice schedule, team news and notes and broadcast information.

DESTROYERS/DRAGONS PREVIEW: This marks the 18th contest all-time between the two franchise's, the most games played against any one opponent in Destroyers' history. The Dragons (6-5) lead the series 10-7 but since the arrival of current Destroyers Head Coach Doug Kay in 2006, Columbus (2-9) has defeated the Dragons in three of the past five meetings.

Earlier this season, the Dragons made four defensive stops en route to a 62-44 victory over Columbus. Dragons quarterback Aaron Garcia completed 27-of-37 passes for 298 yards and eight touchdowns garnering Offensive Player of the Game honors. New York wide receiver Jason Willis led all receivers hauling in 10 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns. Chris Anthony and Kevin Swayne also added three touchdown receptions for the Dragons.

Columbus quarterback Matt Nagy completed 18-of-36 passes for 273 yards and five touchdowns. Derek Lee led the Destroyers receiving corps catching eight passes for 106 yards and three touchdowns. Rookie wide receiver Rasheed Marshall had a career-day as he caught six passes for 92 yards and a touchdown. He also tied a franchise record with a 57-yard kickoff return for touchdown, as part of a career-high six returns for 159 yards. The 2004 Big East Offensive Player of the Year (West Virginia), returned six kickoffs for 159 yards (both career highs) and tied a franchise record with a 57-yard return for a touchdown in the second quarter.

In nine games this season, Garcia is the seventh rated quarterback in the AFL (right behind Nagy) with a 117.0 rating. He has completed 214-of-321 passes for 2,227 yards, 54 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Now in his 14th AFL season, the future AFL Hall-of-Fame quarterback, has thrown 856 career touchdown passes and is only one of four quarterbacks in the League's history to throw for over 800 touchdowns (Clint Dolezel - 906, Sherdrick Bonner - 854 and Andy Kelly - 809).

PRACTICE SCHEDULE: The practice schedule for this week is below. Practice times and locations are subject to change. All practices at the Columbus FieldHouse (6124 Busch Blvd., Columbus, OH 43229) are open to the public. Practices/Walk-Thru's on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena are closed.

Day Event Time Place

Tuesday Practice/Conditioning 11 a.m.-12:35 p.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Wednesday Practice/Conditioning 9:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena

Thursday Practice 9-11:40 a.m. Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena

Friday Walk-Thru 10-11 a.m. Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena

IN NAGY, WE TRUST: Destroyers quarterback Matt Nagy is one of three quarterbacks in the AFL to have taken every snap from scrimmage this season (Brett Deitz - Tampa Bay Storm and Chris Greisen - Georgia Force). The franchise's all-time leading passer, has started the last 27-regular season contests for Columbus. His stretch of 54 consecutive-starts began on March 6, 2005 against the Columbus Destroyers.

Consecutive Quarterback Starts

Mark Grieb, San Jose - 105

John Dutton, Colorado - 75

Shane Stafford, Tampa Bay and Orlando - 68

MATT NAGY, Georgia and COLUMBUS - 54

CENTURY MAN: Wide receiver Derek Lee has 99 receptions for 1,227 yards and 26 touchdowns. With one more reception, Lee will become the fourth receiver in franchise history to haul in 100 receptions in one season (Bobby Olive; 106 in 2000 and Damien Groce; 116 in 2005 and 117 in 2007). This season Lee became the 35th player in AFL history to record 100 touchdown receptions in a career after he caught two scores against the Soul in Week 8. He currently has 105 career-touchdowns in four-plus seasons; Matt Nagy has thrown 76 of the 105.

ON THE AIRWAVES: This week's contest between the Destroyers and Dragons can be heard on your home for Destroyers football, WNKK 107.1 FM, with the broadcast tandem of Todd Walker (play-by-play), Rob Blackman (color commentator) and Archie (sideline reporter) on the call. Tune in at 6:30 p.m. (ET) 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.

The game can be seen LIVE on Columbus Sports Network (CSN) beginning at 7 p.m. (ET) with Randy Rhinehart (play-by-play), former Ohio State quarterback Greg Frey (color analyst) and Courtney George (sideline reporter).

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: Saturday, May 24, is Motorsports Night presented by Marathon. Vehicles that are scheduled to appear are: the Marathon #45 Kyle Petty car, the Jeff Gordon simulator and the #30 Lumber Liquidators Toyota Tundra show truck from Germain Racing. For the remainder of the Destroyers home schedule, fans are invited to the "Budweiser Tailgate Zone" on the McConnell St. plaza from 5-7 p.m. for beer from Budweiser, Bud Select and Bud Light, food from Roosters and Donatos, prize giveaways and music from QFM 96, 95.5 The Hawk and WINK 107.1 FM. Fans can also purchase tickets for All You Can Eat Night presented by 99.7 The Rock. The all-you-can-eat package includes hot dogs, bratwurst, popcorn, peanuts and a 22-ounce Pepsi product, for only $30.

TICKET INFORMATION: Single game tickets starting at just $15 are on sale now at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, ticketmaster Ticket Centers, ticketmaster.com, ColumbusDestroyers.com and FSN Ohio Blue Line team stores located at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing, Chiller Easton, Chiller Dublin and Chiller North. Only on game nights, the Huntington $10 Ticket Blitz offers available lower bowl seats, regularly priced at $26, for just $10 at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office two hours prior to game time. Also two hours before kickoff at the arena ticket office, college and high school students with a valid full-time student ID can purchase Raising Cane's Student Tickets for just $7. Students receive a voucher for a FREE Raising Cane's box combo with each ticket purchased.



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


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