Sports stats



Destroyers weather Storm; close in on playoff birth

May 6, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - Columbus defensive specialist Cecil Doggette was named the Defensive Player of the Game in the final regular season home game of his 12-season career as the Columbus Destroyers defeated the Tampa Bay Storm 51-48 in front of a season-high, 14,537 fans on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena. The win brings the Destroyers within one game of reaching the postseason for the first time since moving to Columbus.

After being honored for his illustrious career prior to the start of the game, Doggette proceeded to record 14.0 tackles (11UT-6AT), one interception and two pass breakups. Quarterback John Kaleo was named Offensive Player of the Game for his 14-of-23 passing for 226 yards and six touchdowns performance. Tampa Bay wide receiver/defensive back Freddie Solomon was named Ironman of the Game after finishing the night with 14 receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns and one tackle.

Kaleo's numbers in the first quarter were flawless as he completed six-of-six passes for 106 yards, to three different receivers with a touchdown and the defense added two interceptions to help build a 20-7 lead. Kaleo opened the scoring-fest with a 29-yard touchdown pass to offensive specialist Carl Bond. Then, on Tampa Bay's first offensive play, wide receiver/defensive back B.J. Barre reeled in an interception that placed the Destroyer's offense on Tampa Bay's 15-yard line.

The very next play, Kaleo found wide receiver/linebacker David Saunders in the back of the end zone for and early 14-0 lead. Following a Tampa Bay touchdown, wide receiver/defensive back Marcus Knight turned a 5-yard pass into a 40-yard touchdown reception.

Kicker Mark Lewis' streak of 38 consecutive extra points came to an end when he missed on the final touchdown of the quarter. A Saunders interception, which was returned to the one-yard line, was the exclamation mark for the Destroyer's dominant first quarter.

Shortly into the second quarter, fullback/linebacker Leroy Thompson added to Columbus' lead when he scored on a 1-yard touchdown plunge. Bond and Kaleo hooked up for a 28-yard touchdown pass to make it 34-14 in favor of the hosts.

Tampa Bay cut the lead to 34-28, but responded when Kaleo and Bond connected for their second touchdown pass of the quarter and their third of the night. The first half came to an end when defensive specialist Jerald Brown deflected a would-be touchdown pass in the back of the end zone as the Destroyers went into the locker room with a 41-28 lead.

Halfway through the third quarter, Kaleo completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Knight for Columbus' lone touchdown of the quarter. Columbus continued their defensive dominance in the fourth quarter when Doggette intercepted a Tampa Bay pass in the back of the end zone. Lewis converted a 19-yard field goal with just over a minute left in the game, giving the Destroyers a final score of 51-48.

The Destroyers will close out the regular season on Saturday, May 13, when they travel to take on the San Jose SaberCats. Kickoff at HP Pavilion is set for 10:30 p.m. (ET). The ArenaBowl XX playoffs will begin the following week with the Wild Card rounds.

Entering its fourth season, NBC will continue its coverage of the AFL on Sundays throughout the season. Be sure to watch the AFL on NBC. Check local listings for complete details.

• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 6, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Columbus Destroyers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central