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Destroyers snake-bitten in Arizona

April 9, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


PHOENIX – Arizona scored 21 unanswered points in the third quarter to break open what had been a closely contested game as the host Rattlers bested the Columbus Destroyers, 70-53, at America West Arena Friday night.

With the loss the Destroyers fell to 1-9 on the season, while the Rattlers improved their mark to 3-8.

Quarterback Matt D'Orazio finished 21-of-36 passing for 272 yards and a career-high six touchdowns in a losing effort. Offensive specialist Damien Groce registered a game-high 10 catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns. It was the fourth consecutive game Groce accumulated over 100 yards receiving.

Arizona quarterback and former Ohio State Buckeye Joe Germaine led the Rattlers to their third win of the season by completing 23-of-35 passes for 324 yards and eight touchdowns before being named Offensive Player of the Game. His favorite target of the evening was Siaha Burley, who led all Arizona receivers with seven catches for 86 yards and five touchdowns.

The Rattlers broke the scoring column first on a 45-yard touchdown connection between Germaine and receiver/defensive back Randy Gatewood at the 8:34 mark of the first quarter. The Destroyers quickly responded with back to back touchdowns, first on a 21-yard touchdown reception by Groce followed by a fumble recovery returned 37 yards for a touchdown by Donvetis Franklin to give the Destroyers an early 13-6 lead.

The Rattlers would then go on a 21-7 run to take a six point lead with 4:13 left in the half.

Each team scored two touchdowns in the final 1:23 of the second quarter before the Rattlers took a 39-34 lead into the break. A combined 48 points were scored during the second quarter of play.

Following an Arizona touchdown to open up the second half, Destroyers defensive specialist Justin Isom fumbled the ball at the Columbus 10 yard-line after making his first of two catches in the game. Arizona lineman Wendall Gaines recovered the lose ball. The Rattlers took advantage of the turnover finding the endzone for the second time in less than four minutes on a seven-yard pass from Germaine to Burley. The score gave Arizona a 19 point advantage with 6:55 to play in the third quarter.

Arizona eventually outscored Columbus 21-0 in the third to take their biggest lead of the game at 34-60.

The Destroyers scored three fourth quarter touchdowns, however it wasn't enough to overcome a 26-point second half deficit. Backup quarterback Scott McMullen made his AFL debut Friday night, taking over for D'Orazio on Columbus' last drive of the game. He completed 4-of-6 passes for 34 yards and capped the drive off with a one-yard touchdown run.

The Destroyers travel to New Orleans next Saturday, April 16 to take on the VooDoo at New Orleans Arena. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. (ET).



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 9, 2005


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