Kats K.O. Destroyers In Home Opener
February 3, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Nashville Kats News Release
The Nashville Kats played another excellent game on both sides of the ball on Friday night, as a home-opening crowd of 10,941 watched them use a high-flying offense and a suffocating defense to defeat the Colombus Destroyers, 53-27.
The Kats (2-0) scored 50 points for the second straight week, while the revamped Destroyers (1-1) could not keep pace.
Clint Stoerner, the Offensive MVP, played another outstanding game. He finished 18 for 28 with 237 yards and 5 touchdowns. His opening touchdown pass, a 44-yard bomb to T. T. Tolliver, gave the Kats an early lead which they never relinquished. Two other touchdowns went to Cornelius Bonner, who won Iron Man Player of the Game while replacing injured Jarrick Hillery.
Nashville's defense continues to stifle opposing offenses. They didn't allow any points for almost three whole quarters, from a touchdown with 2:16 left in the third quarter at New York to David Saunders' 18-yard reception with 11:39 left in the second quarter.
The Destroyers only managed 174 yards, while quarterback John Kaleo threw two interceptions. One of those was picked off in the end zone by ADT Defensive Player of the Game Monty Montgomery, who also had four tackles and the only sack of the game.
The Kats were ahead by as many as 26 points, after a 56-yard field goal by Tony Dodson gave them a 33-7 advantage.
Cory Fleming, playing in his first game in Nashville since returning to the Kats in an offseason trade, caught a late 2-yard touchdown pass to put them ahead, 47-21.
Nashville's Darryl Hammond caught three passes for 39 yards, putting him four catches away from the 800 reception mark. He also intercepted a deflected Kaleo pass and returned it 49 yards for Nashville's final score, 53-21.
A late touchdown pass from Colombus backup quarterback Billy Dicken to Thabiti Davis made it 53-27, but Nashville's lead was too much to overcome.
Nashville's next game is in Chicago against the Rush on Feb. 12.
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 3, 2006
- Late flag sends Rush tumbling in home opener - Chicago Rush
- Rampage falls 51-43 to Storm - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Defense prevails again, Wranglers win 53-34 - Austin Wranglers
- Brigade Falls Short on Amazing Comeback, Lose 48-41 at Orlando - Kansas City Brigade
- Kats K.O. Destroyers In Home Opener - Nashville Kats
- SaberCats add three just in time for Vegas - San Jose SaberCats
- Gladiators sign AFL veterans Bell and Moore - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Week two Friday AFL injury report - AFL I
- Two Soul game kickoff times changed - Philadelphia Soul
- Gladiators Battle Division Rival on Monday - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Force Needs Your Help - Georgia Force
- Shelley Moved to Reserve/Injured - Dallas Desperados
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.
