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Destroyers Weekly

March 31, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Destroyers host three of the next four games on their 2008 schedule on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena. The Destroyers (1-4, 0-2) will face the AFL Southern Division's Tampa Bay Storm (2-2, 1-1) on Saturday, March 29. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (ET). Below is a look ahead at this week's opponent, practice schedule, team news and notes and broadcast information.

FIRST LOOK, TAMPA BAY STORM: Five-time ArenaBowl champion, Tampa Bay Storm, makes their first visit to Columbus since the 2006 season. The game will mark the Storm's fourth game, third consecutive, on the road this season. They are currently on a two-game losing streak and have a record of 1-2 away from St. Pete Times Forum this season.

The Storm are led by the all-time winningest coach in Arena Football League history Tim Marcum (192 career victories). Now in his 14th season with the Storm, 20th overall in the AFL, he owns a League record seven ArenaBowl titles.

The Destroyers and Storm will meet for the eighth time, with Tampa Bay leading the series 5-2. Columbus defeated the Storm in the 2007 National Conference Wild Card Round 56-55 on June 30. Destroyers' quarterback Matt Nagy scored a one-yard touchdown run with 0:07 remaining in the fourth quarter to give Columbus its first-ever playoff victory.

Calling the signals for the Storm is the 2007 AFL Co-Rookie of the Year Brett Dietz. The Hanover (Ind.) College graduate, completed 199-of-302 passes for 2,395 yards and 47 touchdowns in nine games last season. He finished with the second-highest passer rating (119.3) in AFL history by a rookie quarterback.

Last week against the Philadelphia Soul, Dietz threw for a career-high 400 yards on 31-of-46 passes and six touchdowns. On the season he has completed 97-of-149 pass attempts for 1,112 yards with 20 touchdowns and three interceptions.

RANKING NAGY: Destroyers quarterback Matt Nagy is the franchise's all-time leading passer completing 450-of-712 passes for 4,739 yards and 96 touchdowns. Here is where he ranks among active quarterbacks in his six-plus seasons under center in the AFL.

ATTEMPTS:

1. Bonner, Sherdrick - CHI 5,402

2. Dolezel, Clint - DAL 5,344

3. Kaleo, John - Free Agent 4,878

4. Garcia, Aaron - NY 4,745

5. Grieb, Mark - SJ 4,001

6. Dutton, John - COL 3,322

7. Graziani, Tony - PHI 2,896

8. Stafford, Shane - ORL 2,893

9. Philyaw, Raymond - CLE 2,802

10. Nagy, Matt - CLB 2,153

COMPLETIONS:

1. Dolezel, Clint - DAL 3,521

2. Bonner, Sherdrick - CHI 3,342

3. Garcia, Aaron - NY 3,014

4. Kaleo, John - Free Agent 2,939

5. Grieb, Mark - SJ 2,675

6. Dutton, John - COL 2,089

7. Stafford, Shane - ORL 1,853

8. Philyaw, Raymond - CLE 1,817

9. Graziani, Tony - PHI 1,780

10. Nagy, Matt - CLB 1,413

YARDS:

1. Bonner, Sherdrick - CHI 42,011

2. Dolezel, Clint - DAL 41,811

3. Garcia, Aaron - NY 38,167

4. Kaleo, John - Free Agent 35,244

5. Grieb, Mark - SJ 33,690

6. Dutton, John - COL 24,605

7. Graziani, Tony - PHI 23,200

8. Philyaw, Raymond - CLE 21,615

9. Stafford, Shane - ORL 21,434

10. Nagy, Matt - CLB 15,620

TOUCHDOWNS:

1. Dolezel, Clint - DAL 872

2. Bonner, Sherdrick - CHI 850

3. Garcia, Aaron - NY 808

4. Grieb, Mark - SJ 636

5. Kaleo, John - Free Agent 581

6. Dutton, John - COL 490

7. Graziani, Tony - PHI 484

8. Philyaw, Raymond - CLE 397

9. Stafford, Shane - ORL 393

10. Nagy, Matt - CLB 321

ON THE AIRWAVES: This week's contest between the Destroyers and Storm can be heard on your home for Destroyers football, WNNK 107.1 FM with the broadcast tandem of Todd Walker (play-by-play), Rob Blackman (color commentator) and Archie (sideline reporter) on the call. Tune in at 6:30 p.m. (ET) as the Destroyers pre-game show gets underway with a one-on-one interview with Destroyers Head Coach Doug Kay, player interviews and insider information.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: Saturday, April 5 is Kids Character Night presented by Columbia Gas. Promotions include appearances by The Incredible Hulk and a host of mascot characters as well as the second Dispatch/Mix 97.1 Family Night of the season. Families are invited to meet The Incredible Hulk and the Destroyers' beloved Bruiser along with Stinger (Blue Jackets), Crew Cat (Columbus Crew), Chilly Bear (Chiller Ice Rinks), Sullivan C. Gull (Lake Erie Monsters, AHL), Klondike (Ohio Northern University), Cozy Cat (Columbia Gas), B.C. Rooster (Roosters), Andy the Armadillo (Texas Road House), Iggle (Giant Eagle), RATiO (COSI Science Museum) and mascot friends from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The Dispatch/Mix 97.1 Family Night package includes four tickets, four hot dogs, four popcorns, four Pepsi products, four Dispatch Ice Haus skate passes, family discount admission to Pro Football Hall of Fame and one foam football for just $66.

TICKET INFORMATION: The Destroyers 2008 home schedule features seven Saturday night games and one Monday night contest. Single game tickets start at just $15 and are on sale now at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, ticketmaster Ticket Centers, ticketmaster.com and all FSN Ohio Blue Line team stores located at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing, Chiller Easton, Chiller Dublin and Chiller North. 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 March 31, 2008


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