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Winners of two straight, Destroyers look to make it three in a row on Friday against Georgia

March 6, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Columbus Destroyers News Release


RECAP: Despite trailing 31-17 at halftime, the Columbus Destroyers scored 48 second half points en route to a 65-54 road victory over Eastern Division rival New York on Friday night. A crowd of 10,173 fans at Nassau Coliseum saw Destroyers offensive specialist Carl Bond haul in nine passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns to lead Columbus. The defense stepped up big again, forcing the Dragons into five turnovers (four interceptions and a fumble recovery). Wide receiver/defensive back B.J. Barre had two key interceptions, including his second, which set up the Destroyers final score. Barre was second on the team in tackles with 7.5 (6UT-1AT), as well as adding a tackle for loss.

THIS WEEK: The Destroyers return home for the first of back-to-back home games on Friday, Mar. 10, when they host the defending National Conference champion Georgia Force. Kickoff on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena is set for 7 p.m. The Destroyers and Force enter the game with identical 3-3 records. The Destroyers are coming off of a 65-54 win, while the Force is looking to rebound from a 53-52 loss to the Austin Wranglers. The Destroyers and Force have met four times in history with the Force holding a 3-1 edge. The game will be broadcast tape-delayed on Time Warner Cable, Channel 24.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE: The practice schedule for this week is below. Practices times and locations are subject to change. All practices at the Columbus FieldHouse are open to the public. Practices/Walk-Thru's at Nationwide Arena are closed to the public.

Day Event Time Place

Monday Practice 10:15 a.m.-12:40 p.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Tuesday Practice 10:15 a.m.-12:40 p.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Wednesday Practice 9:15-11:30 a.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Thursday Walk-Thru 9:30-10:20 a.m. Columbus FieldHouse

Friday Game vs. Georgia 7 p.m. Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena

Saturday TBA

Sunday TBA

FORWARD MOTION: The Destroyers will host their second of back-to-back home games when they welcome Eastern Division rival Philadelphia Soul to Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The Soul has started off the season with a 3-3 record after falling 67-49 to the Las Vegas Gladiators Sunday night. The Destroyers and Soul have met four times with the Soul holding a 3-1 edge. The teams split the 2005 meetings with the road team winning both games.

WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU?, PART 3: Destroyers defensive specialist Jerald Brown continues to deliver for the team. For the third straight week, Brown had an interception, his fifth of the season. It came in a critical part of the Destroyers come from behind 65-54 victory over New York. With the scored tied 45-45 and 10 minutes, 6 seconds remaining in the game, Brown intercepted a Juston Wood pass at the Destroyers 16-yard line. Three plays later, the Destroyers were in the end zone and leading for the first time in the game. It was one of four Destroyers interceptions on the night. Brown ranks third in the Arena Football League in interceptions and is one behind League-leaders Monty Montgomery (Nashville) and Damon Mason (Austin). Brown's 108 interception return yards ranks second in the League behind New York's Dahnel Singfield, who leads the League with 125 interception return yards.

BIG TURNOVERS RESULT IN TURNAROUND: The Columbus Destroyers defense is making a name for itself around the Arena Football League. Especially in the past few weeks, as the team has forced 13 turnovers in the past four games, including five this past weekend against the New York Dragons. Forcing turnovers is always a big part of a game, but all five turnovers forced against New York came in a timely manner. All five turnovers came in the second half and three set up touchdowns on the ensuing possession to help the Destroyers overcome a 31-17 halftime deficit. On the season, the Destroyers have forced 17 turnovers, good enough for second-best in the League. Nashville leads all teams with 20. The Destroyers are plus-3 in turnover margin, as well, ranking third-best.

RUN, ROOKIE, RUN: Columbus Destroyers fullback/linebacker Harold Wells is having a fine rookie season in the Arena Football League. The Gardner-Webb product had his best game of the season, to date, this past weekend against the Dragons. Wells helped guide the Destroyers to victory with a pair of touchdown runs, while leading the team in rushing with seven carries for 16 yards. Wells also had an assisted sack and tackle for loss on defense. Not to mention that Wells played almost the entire second half after starting fullback/linebacker Leroy Thompson injured his shoulder in the first half. On the season, Wells has played in four games and is second on the team in rushing, behind Thompson, with 12 rushes for 37 yards and three touchdowns. On defense, he has 3.5 tackles, including an assisted tackle and tackle for loss.

ON THE AIR: As the Destroyers prepare for Georgia, fans can listen to the insiders' preview on "Destroyers Weekly" Monday, Mar. 6, from 6-7 p.m. on 107.1 FM, The Big Wazoo in Columbus. The show is airing an hour earlier due to the MAC basketball Tournament. The live hour-long show will be hosted by WLVQ/WAZU Sports Director "Archie" and Destroyers play-by-play announcer Steve Sefner. This week's show will feature Director of Football Operations/Line Coach Jim Lachey, offensive/defensive lineman Dan Rumishek as well as Georgia coach Doug Plank. This Friday's game against the Force will be broadcast tape-delayed on Time Warner Cable, Channel 24.

GAME PROMOTIONS: On Friday, Mar. 10 the Destroyers will host the Georgia Force. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena. It is DYNAMITE NIGHT presented by Pepsi. This movie-themed night includes a special appearance by Uncle Rico, the popular character from the comedy hit, Napoleon Dynamite. There is a Special Offer for this night. If you purchase the special ticket package you will get a FREE "Vote 4 Pedro" t-shirt (while supplies last). To order, visit www.ColumbusDestroyers.com or call (614) 246-HITS.

This season the Destroyers will again team with the Mid-Ohio FoodBank to "Tackle Hunger" in Central Ohio. Fans are asked to bring non-perishable food items to each home game for donation to the Mid-Ohio FoodBank. In turn, fans will receive one raffle ticket per donated food item for a chance to win a team-autographed, authentic AFL football. One winner will be announced during the fourth quarter of each game. Last season, the Destroyers raised enough resources to provide over 27,000 meals to those in need right here in our community.

TICKET INFORMATION: 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.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 6, 2006


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