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Destroyers win 2006 opener, 53-30

January 29, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - COLUMBUS, Ohio - Columbus Destroyers quarterback John Kaleo completed 23-of-42 passes for 256 yards and four touchdowns to help the Destroyers to a season-opening 53-30 victory over the Grand Rapids Rampage in front of 12,451 fans on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena.

Offensive Specialist Thabiti Davis earned Offensive Player of the Game honors after finishing his first game in a Destroyers uniform with 10 receptions for 131 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver/linebacker David Saunders was awarded Ironman of the Game honors after he recorded 3.5 tackles, broke up one pass, and added five receptions for 65 yards. Defensive specialist Cecil Doggette was named Defensive Player of the Game after leading the Destroyers with 5.0 tackles and an interception.

On a 2-yard run with 10 minutes, 21 seconds to go in the first quarter, Columbus fullback/linebacker Leroy Thompson became the sixth player in Arena Football history to rush for over 1,000 yards. Thompson finished the day with 25 rushing yards on nine carries.

Grand Rapids wide receiver/defensive back Tim Marshall led the Rampage with 89 receiving yards on six receptions. Offensive specialist Aaron Bailey finished the game with six receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown.

The Destroyers opened the game with an eight-play, 44-yard drive that resulted in a four-yard touchdown pass from Kaleo to Davis. Grand Rapids would then fumble the ensuing kickoff, which was picked up by Destroyers wide receiver/linebacker Eddie Galles in the end zone that gave Columbus a 14-0 lead. Destroyers defensive specialist Jerald Brown gave the team a 21-0 lead after he recovered a Grand Rapids fumble and returned it 40 yards for the third score of the game.

Grand Rapids (0-1) scored their first touchdown of the game on a 4-yard pass from quarterback Jose Davis to offensive/defensive lineman Winfield Garnett to pull within 24-9. Davis pulled the Rampage to within 15 points with a 43-yard pass to wide receiver/defensive back Josh Bush with 0:37 remaining in the first half.

The Destroyers scored on their first possession of the second half with a four-play drive that would end on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Kaleo to Davis that increased the Destroyers' lead to 41-16.

The Destroyers out scored the Rampage in the fourth quarter 12-7 on a variety of plays. Kaleo completed his fourth touchdown pass of the day on a 3-yard pass to Davis. The Destroyers earned their next two points when the Kelvin Kinney and Mike Sutton sacked Jose Davis in the end zone. The Destroyers' final points of the game came on a 31-yard field goal attempt by kicker Mark Lewis with 3:14 remaining to go ahead 53-23.

The Destroyers (1-0) will hit the road for the first time this season when they travel to Nashville to take on the Kats (1-0) at Gaylord Entertainment Center on Friday, Feb. 3. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. (ET).

The Destroyers will return home to Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena on Saturday, Feb. 11 to host the Dallas Desperados. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders will appear to sign autographs and perform.

Single game tickets are now available starting as low as $10 and are available by calling (614) 246-HITS or by visiting www.ColumbusDestroyers.com. In addition, high school and college students (23 years and under) with a valid student ID may purchase a specially priced $7 ticket beginning two hours before each home game at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office only.

Individual tickets may also be purchased at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, or by phone at (614) 431-3600. Tickets are also available at the Blue Jackets Zones located at Chiller Dublin, Chiller Easton and Chiller North. All tickets are subject to service charges and facility fees.

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



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 29, 2006


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