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Destroyers steal one from Storm 49-51

April 5, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


Columbus, OH - Tampa Bay (2-3) lost its third straight road game as the Columbus Destroyers defeated the Storm 49-51 in front of 14,256 fans at Nationwide Arena Saturday night. Columbus sealed the game late in the fourth quarter as defensive back Nate Coggins recovered an onside kick at the nine yard line and returned it for a touchdown with 0:20 left in the game.

Quarterback Brett Dietz led the Storm as he threw for 290 yards and six touchdowns. Dietz spread the ball around to six receivers including two passes to lineman Tom Kaleita. Receiver David Saunders caught three touchdowns on six receptions against his former team.

The Destroyers were led by fullback Harold Wells as he made a key stop on the goal line and caught five passes including a four yard touchdown reception that tied the game before halftime. Derek Lee led all receivers with four touchdown receptions, including two in the fourth quarter.

Tampa Bay jumped out to a 14-7 lead in the first quarter as Brett Dietz connected with David Saunders and Hank Edwards for redzone scores. However Columbus tied the game in the second quarter as Matt Nagy completed two big pass plays to different linemen, Howard Duncan and Cody Douglas, on separate drives. Nagy took advantage of the big plays on each possession as he found Derek Lee and Harold Wells open for touchdowns. The Storm had a chance to take a lead before the half but failed to score on the final possession as Seth Marler missed a field goal as time expired.

At the half Edwards and Lee each had two touchdowns while Samuels led all receivers with six receptions for 70 yards. The Storm defense contained the Destroyers run attack in the first half, however struggled to contain the short Columbus passing game as the Destroyers utilized several screen and swing passes.

The Tampa Bay defense came out strong in the second half as Tim McGill corralled his third sack of the season and forced a Mark Lewis field goal. With the Destroyers up 24-21, Tampa Bay opened up its play book as Dietz found lineman Tom Kaleita open in the endzone to put the Storm up by 3 at the end of the third quarter.

Columbus scored on the first play in the fourth quarter as Lee hauled in a 15-yard pass from Nagy. The Storm then gave the Destroyers a taste of their own medicine as Marvin Brown scored from seven yards out on the Statue of Liberty play. Columbus responded with Lee's fourth touchdown of the game however only took a two-point lead due to a missed extra point by Lewis. Looking to take the lead back a Dietz pass was tipped in the endzone and picked off by Tremaine Neal giving the Destroyers the ball on their 12-yard line with one minute left in the game.

After a penalty, Nagy threw his sixth touchdown of the game to Calvin Russell to take a nine-point lead. Tampa Bay responded bringing the game within two points with 0:24 left on the clock as Dietz hit Saunders on a 23-yard post for Saunders second touchdown. On the ensuing onside kickoff Nate Coggins recovered the kick at the Storm nine-yard line and returned it for a touchdown sealing the victory for the Destroyers.

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