Dragons Deliver Destroyer Defeat
K.E. Schlosser
Tuesday March 23, 2004
After a 1-3 start, the Dragons have turned their season around and with the win moved into contention for the division lead. For the Dragons, making the playoffs is very close to being a reality, while the Destroyers are left to dream about what might have been. The Dragons have moved above .500 for the first time at 4-3, while the Destroyers prolonged their losing streak to six games and pushed their record to 1-6 on the season.
The Destroyers needed to win, but penalties, turnovers and miscommunication did them in. They never led in the game and were down three scores heading into half time. Despite controlling the ball for almost 11 minutes in the third quarter, the Destroyers were only able to score nine points, essentially sealing the victory for the Dragons.
Columbus QB John Rayborn had an up and down day. Passes went up in the air, but almost half of them fell for incompletions as Rayborn went 21-41for a game high 248 yards. The signal caller connected for five touchdowns with Destroyers receivers and an interception return for a touchdown with Dragons defensive back Richmond Flowers in the second quarterback. While not touchdowns, Rayborn was also able to complete passes to two other Dragons to finish with three interceptions on the day.
Rayborn’s play has again presented Columbus head coach Earle Bruce with a sticky situation under center. The veteran coach will have a lot of time during this week’s bye week to decide which of his young signal callers is better for the short term and which is better for the long run. The time is now for Bruce to make a decision. While a continued quarterback shuffle may result in a win eventually, Bruce would be much better served to name his gunslinger and stick to his own guns marching him out there each week.
On the brighter side of a Saturday night in New York, Cornelius White had a career high game in receptions (11), yards (154), and touchdowns (3) in his first game back following his ejection against the Soul. You are only left to wonder if he, White, would have been the second half difference maker in last week’s nail biting loss against the Soul.
The Destroyers welcome the bye week and the break that it allots them. Hopefully a week off and some time away will allow them to refocus and rejuvenate themselves to finish out the season strong. The Destroyers will play back to back home games coming off the break against Orlando on Sunday, April 4th and the host the Dragons on Saturday, April 10th.
