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Destroyers slay Dragons, 65-55, at Nationwide Arena

April 10, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, OH – The Columbus Destroyers failed to score on their first possession of the game Saturday night, however would go on to score every time they got the ball after that, as they exacted their revenge upon the New York Dragons, snapping New York's four-game winning streak with a 65-55 victory in front of a sellout crowd of 17,171 at Nationwide Arena. The sellout was the fourth in five home games for the Destroyers in 2004.

Ryan Vena led the Destroyers to victory at quarterback passing 23 times with 17 completions, 265 yards and five touchdowns. WR/LB Cornelius White, who was named Ironman of the Game, led Columbus in receiving with six receptions, 116 yards and two touchdowns. OS Sedrick Robinson also came up big. Three times he found himself with the ball and past the pylons, once receiving and twice rushing for three touchdowns in the contest.

New York QB Aaron Garcia completed 26-of-36 passes for 330 yards and eight touchdowns in a losing effort. OS Kevin Swayne led the Dragons in receiving with 107 yards on seven catches and two touchdowns. WR/LB Curtis Fagan only had 57 yards on six catches for New York, but three of them were good for touchdowns.

Each team came up short on their first drive of the game, Columbus missing a field goal and New York fumbling into the endzone which was recovered by OL/DL Wilky Bazile for a touchback.

On the ensuing drive, the Destroyers took four plays and three minutes and 11 seconds to go 45 yards, ending in Robinson's first rushing touchdown of the evening from one yard out. The touchdown was only the second time this season Columbus was the first team to score in a contest. The score proved to be vital, though. The Destroyers never found themselves behind in the game.

The two teams traded touchdowns for the rest of the half, including the longest of the game; a 36-yard strike from Vena to Gunnard Twyner for Twyner's first catch and touchdown of the season to put the Destroyers up 21-14. Twyner, who was named Offensive Player of the Game, finished with three catches for 82 yards and two scores. The Destroyers went into halftime with a seven point lead 28-21 after scoring their last touchdown with only 33 seconds left.

The third quarter followed the second's storyline with each team answering the other's every touchdown. The pivotal play of the game came on the second play of the fourth quarter when Garcia fumbled the ball at his own 24 yard-line only to be recovered by Destroyers' FB/LB Wilmont Perry at mid-field. Perry also rushed for two touchdowns in the game.

The Destroyers' offense took advantage of the turnover five plays and 25 yards later with the second rushing touchdown for Robinson to go on top for good, 49-35.

The two teams continued to trade touchdowns until, after Columbus made the score 63-49, New York WR/DB fumbled the ball backwards at the five yard-line into the endzone and against the wall for the safety giving the Destroyers two more points, 65-49.

New York recovered the following onside kickoff at their own 17 and proceeded to march down the field for the final touchdown of the game. The two-point conversion failed leaving the scoreboard reading 65-55 as the Destroyers walked away with their second home win in six days.

The Destroyers travel to New Orleans to take on the VooDoo next Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. The Destroyers then return home in two weeks on April 25 to take on the defending ArenaBowl champion Tampa Bay Storm at noon. 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.

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