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Wide receiver Derek Lee sets two team records in loss

June 7, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Destroyers, presented by Germain, lost to the Georgia Force 63-34 Saturday night in front of 12,948 fans on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena.

Columbus (3-11) wide receiver Derek Lee broke two franchise records, most receptions in a season and most receiving yards in a season, with his 11 catches for 112 yards and one touchdown performance against the Force (9-5). Lee now has 124 receptions and 1,506 yards, which break former Destroyer Damien Groce's records of 117 receptions (2007) and 1,426 yards (2005).

Georgia wide receiver Troy Bergeron earned Offensive Player of the Game by making six catches for 165 yards and four touchdowns, including a 49-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

Defensive Player of the Game honors went to Force linebacker JoJo Polk, who had 10 solo tackles and three half tackles. Ironman of the Game was Columbus linebacker Leroy Thompson as he caught a three-yard touchdown pass and made one tackle on defense.

The Force took a 15-point lead after quarterback Chris Greisen completed three touchdown passes in the second quarter, two to Bergeron another to wide out Carl Morris. Greisen finished the game 18-for-26 for 270 yards and seven touchdowns.

The Destroyers scored two touchdowns in the second 15 minutes, runs of three yards and one yard from fullback Harold Wells. Columbus failed to convert one extra point making the score 35-20, but had a chance to cut into the 15-point lead late in the quarter. Receiver Calvin Russell threw an interception into the end zone to Georgia's Tony Tiller, on an end-around play to end the drive.

The Destroyers took four minutes to score on their opening drive of the second half, ending with quarterback Matt Nagy finding Thompson in the end zone for a three-yard touchdown. The score cut the lead to eight, 35-27, however Greisen found Tiger Jones for an eight-yard touchdown catch allowing the visitors to reclaim a two-touchdown lead.

In the middle of the third quarter, nose tackle Ernest Allen recovered a ball in the end zone after Nagy fumbled the ball after being hit by linebacker Will Thompson. The touchdown increased Georgia's lead to 22 points. The Force extended their lead again when Greisen threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Bergeron at the beginning of the fourth quarter to make the score 56-27.

Carl Morris completed the scoring for Georgia with a one-yard touchdown run with 2:55 left in the final quarter. Destroyers quarterback Matt Nagy threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver C.J. Johnson with 1:27 left in the game.

The Destroyers will host their final home game of the season next Saturday, June 14, as they host the Grand Rapids Rampage on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena. Fans are invited to start their pre-game party early at the Roosters Wings Bash before the game. The festivities kick off at 4 p.m. on the southwest plaza of Nationwide Arena (corner of Nationwide Blvd. and McConnell Blvd.) with plenty of Roosters Wings, Donatos pizza, beer from Budweiser and music provided by WINK 107.1, 95.5 The Hawk and QFM96. Kickoff against the Rampage is set for 7 p.m. and doors open at 6 p.m.

Single game tickets starting at just $15 are on sale now at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, ticketmaster Ticket Centers, ticketmaster.com, ColumbusDestroyers.com and FSN Ohio Blue Line team stores located at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing, Chiller Easton, Chiller Dublin and Chiller North.

Only on game nights, the Huntington $10 Ticket Blitz offers available lower bowl seats, regularly priced at $28, for just $10 at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office two hours prior to game time. Also two hours before kickoff at the arena ticket office, college and high school students with a valid full-time student ID can purchase Raising Cane's Student Tickets for just $7. Students receive a voucher for a FREE Raising Cane's box combo with each ticket purchased.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 7, 2008


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