Destroyers Lose a Nail Biter
K.E. Schlosser
Thursday February 19, 2004
Playing before a standing room only crowd, the Destroyers lost a heartbreaker as the Carolina Cobras came back from behind, scoring the game-winning touchdown with no time left on the clock. Most of the fans stuck it out until the final whistle, catching a lot of good plays, and several costly turnovers. They witnessed a team that played hard for nearly 60 minutes, yet came up two seconds short of a victory.
Carolina jumped to an early first-quarter lead by scoring 14 points and taking a 17-7 lead by the end of the quarter. The Destroyers came roaring back in the second quarter with 28 points to take a 35-34 halftime lead behind three touchdown passes by quarterback Ryan Vena and an electrifying kick return for a touchdown by Sedrick Robinson. The Destroyers continued to build their lead in the third quarter by going up 50 to 34 before the Cobras seized the momentum by getting their offense going and causing a key Sedrick Robinson fumble. The Cobras outscored the Destroyers 13-3 in the final quarter, scoring the game-winning touchdown as time expired.
The Destroyers had plenty of chances to win this game or build their lead, but several costly mistakes compounded to cost them the game. Head coach Earle Bruce said, “We had the game won, but gave it away.”
In the first quarter, the Cobras scored their second touchdown with a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown on an ill-advised Vena pass. The fourth quarter fumble by Sedrick Robinson came as the Destroyers were driving into Cobra territory and had just picked up a first down. What was left of their momentum dwindled away as the Cobras responded with a touchdown to pull within a possession of tying the game.
Ultimately, the Destroyers lost the game when they had the ball inside the Cobra’s 5-yard line and tried to run the ball in three straight times, coming up short on each attempt. While the Destroyers did kick a field goal to increase their lead to 53-48, Carolina was left with 56 seconds to drive the length of the field and put the ball in the end zone to win the game. Even Bruce would later admit that at they should have tried at least one pass on their final series. When pushed, Bruce stated he thought the Destroyers would do a better job of running the ball, but the Cobras played tough goal-line defense. In hindsight, he should have gone for the end zone at 3-5.
In his post game news conference, Bruce praised the Destroyer’s fans for their energy and enthusiasm, but admitted he expected as much from the city of Columbus. When questioned about the impact of the defeat on his team and its fans, Bruce went with an old coaching adage: “When you win, you’re great and can do no wrong, but when you lose you get the heat.”
With a smile on his face, the former Buckeye coach admitted he wouldn’t have it any other way. “In a close game, it’s usually the team with the last possession that wins the game,” said Bruce.
He felt that this was a week that would test and measure what the Destroyers are made of, as they look to rebound Saturday night against the expansion Philadelphia Soul.
Game Notes:
· Quarterback Ryan Vena had another solid game as went 22-31 for 256 yards with 6 touchdowns. (5 pass, 1 rush) Vena showed a lot of poise Friday night and proved to Columbus that he can take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’.
· Despite the loss, wide receiver Cornelius White was named the Player of the Game with 10 catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns. White was also in on two tackles on the other side of the ball. When asked about the award, White said, “[It’s] a little hollow; I would have much rather had the win.”
· Wilke Brazile was named the game’s Toughman, for his high motor play despite a foot injury that sidelined him for part of the game. I was very impressed with his energy and speed. Both of the tackles Brazile was credited with came on special teams as he stopped two Cobra returns inside the 5.
· Cobra quarterback Matt Nagy had a game high 26-39 for 296 yards and was responsible for 6 touchdowns. (5 pass, 1 rush) Cobra receiver Todd Doxson also had 10 catches and two touchdowns with a game-high 128 yards. Destroyer back Ricky Wood was the leading rusher for the game with 17 yards on three carries. Cobra defensive specialist Damon Mason had a game high 10 tackles
· With a standing room only crowd of 11,171, the game marked the Columbus Destroyers first sell out of the season and it also proved to be the largest home crowd to see a Destroyer game in five years.
· The Destroyers take to the road this week and play the expansion Philadelphia Soul (0-2) Saturday at 7:30 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia. Look for a big and hostile crowd as the Soul drew over 17,000 to their home opener two weeks ago against the New Orleans Voodoo. The Soul were defeated Saturday night on the road by the Dallas Desperados.
