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The Battle of the Buckeye State goes Cleveland's way

June 21, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Columbus Destroyers, presented by Germain, fell to the Cleveland Gladiators 47-35 Saturday night at Quicken Loans Arena in front of 14,397 fans.

Behind 34-28, the Destroyers were not able to convert on a critical fourth down play with 9:29 remaining in the fourth quarter. Destroyers quarterback Matt Nagy could not connect with C.J. Johnson in the back of the end zone. The win for Cleveland gives them a National Conference playoff berth.

Gladiators quarterback Raymond Philyaw was named Offensive Player of the Game as he finished the game completing 20-of-27 passes for 269 yards and six touchdowns. Cleveland receiver Randy Hymes hauled in three passes for 78 yards and three touchdowns to lead his team.

Nagy finished the game completing 24-of-43 passes for 293 yards, three touchdowns and one interceptions. With his performance he set new franchise season marks for completions (358), attempts (566) and yards (4,445). The franchise's all-time leading passer, Nagy has completed 699-of-1,111 (62.9%) for 8,002 yards and 149 touchdowns in his two seasons with Columbus.

Johnson led the Destroyers with 11 catches for a career-high 173 yards and one touchdown. His performance helped him finish a career season, as he set personal bests with 67 receptions for 989 yards and 16 touchdowns in just nine games with Columbus.

Columbus fullback Harold Wells contributed a strong performance with eight rushes for 14 yards and one touchdown. He also added 12 yards and two touchdowns on three receptions. Wells ended the season setting the franchise record for most rushing touchdowns with 17.

The Destroyers scored on the first drive of the game, as fullback Harold Wells reached the end zone on a five yard rush to give the Destroyers an early lead. Cleveland responded with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Philyaw to Hymes, ending the first quarter 7-7.

After Nagy reached the end zone on a two-yard rush, tying the score 21-21, Columbus could not capitalize by the Justin Zwick fumble recovery on the subsequent kickoff. The Gladiators closed the half with another Philyaw to Hymes touchdown pass and catch, setting the score 28-21 in favor of Cleveland.

Down 34-28 with 9:29 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Destroyers turned the ball over on downs. The Gladiators responded quickly with a 42-yard touchdown pass from Philyaw to Otis Amey, giving Cleveland a commanding lead with 8:07 left in the game at 40-28. The teams traded one touchdown apiece, including a Wells six-yard touchdown reception, to close out the game. The Destroyers offense was unable to score in their final drive of the game, turning the ball over on downs with 19 seconds remaining. The Gladiators qualified for the playoffs in their first season in Cleveland.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 21, 2008


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