Destroyers Stop Soul In 44-21 Victory

Published on April 23, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Destroyers, presented by Germain, used numerous defensive stops and forced two fumbles in a 44-21 win over the Philadelphia Soul in front of 14,664 fans on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena Monday night. The win moves the Destroyers into a second place tie in the AFL's eastern division with the Soul. The game was broadcast live nationwide on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football on Monday Night on ESPN2.

Wide Receiver Damien Groce was named Offensive Player of the Game after recording nine catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns, as well as three rushes for 16 yards and two scores. Linebacker Leroy Thompson was named Defensive Player of the Game as he had two tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovered.

Groce ran in his second rushing touchdown of the game with 12:35 left, from two yards, to give Columbus (4-3) a commanding 30-13 lead. The Destroyers would add two more scores, a 31-yard touchdown reception from wide receiver Josh Bush and a two-yard run by Harold Wells late in the fourth quarter.

The key play of the game came at the end of the first half when Thompson wrapped up Soul quarterback Clint Stoerner at the goal line stripped the ball and recovered it as time expired. The play prevented Philadelphia (4-3) from scoring and making it a three-point game at halftime.

After neither team was able to score in the first quarter, Nagy found Groce on the second play of the second quarter for a 25-yard touchdown, staking Columbus to a 7-0 lead. The Soul answered with 30-yard field goal from France, cutting the Columbus lead to four points.

Groce added to the lead a little later when he took the end around for a five-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 14-3. Philadelphia scored its first touchdown of the game when Stoerner connected with Steve Gonzalez for a 10-yard touchdown.

Nagy would find Groce for a touchdown for the second time in the game, this time from 20-yards out, with 5:12 remaining in the half. The score was 20-10 after a missed point after touchdown. The teams traded field goals in the third quarter.

In the final stanza the red-clad Destroyers, who have won three of four contests on their home turf this season, put up 21 points on the board to close out the game. The Destroyers donned red jerseys for the first time in franchise history after warming up in their traditional blue home jerseys. The coaching staff wore Virginia Tech polo shirts in remembrance of the tragic events that occurred last Monday.

The Destroyers return to action next week when they visit the Tampa Bay Storm on Sunday, Apr. 29. Kickoff at St. Pete Times Forum is set for 3 p.m. ET. The game will broadcast live on the Destroyers Radio Network and flagship station WINK 107.1 FM with the pre-game show beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET.

The Huntington $10 Ticket Blitz continues for every home game during the 2007 Destroyers season. A minimum of 225 lower bowl seats will be available for $10 at the Nationwide Arena Box Office two hours prior to every home game. The regular price on lower bowl seats is $26.

The Destroyers and Giant Eagle are teaming up with the Mid-Ohio FoodBank to TACKLE HUNGER in Central Ohio. Last year, with the help fans, the Destroyers raised enough resources to provide over 27,000 meals to those in need. Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to all Destroyers home games to receive a raffle ticket. In addition to the food drive, if fans bring a non-perishable food item from Giant Eagle they will receive a voucher for $3 off a regularly priced ticket.

WE BELIEVE that you can never get enough football. Single game tickets for the 2007 season are available starting at $12 by visiting www.ColumbusDestroyers.com. For information on season tickets call (877) COLS-AFL. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for group rates by calling (614) 246-HITS.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 23, 2007


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