A Sinking Ship?
David Grimes
Friday May 20, 2005
For starters, Columbus can play spoilers and have a chance to knock the Storm out of the playoffs. A Destroyer victory along with a New Orleans Voodoo victory sends Tampa Bay packing. The interesting key about these two games is that both will be going on at the same time. Don’t be surprised to catch coaches, players, and fans glancing at the scoreboards to see how this situation will play out. The win for the Destroyers would be huge because it would mean they knocked Tampa Bay out of the playoffs for the first time in the Storm’s franchise history.
The win against Storm head coach Tim Marcum would be sweet nonetheless, even if the Storm do make the playoffs. Columbus owns a 0-3 series record against the Storm. Two of those losses were at home, so this game at Nationwide Arena would help end the home losing skid.
And speaking of losing skids, the Destroyers can end the season on a positive note by snapping a 5 game losing streak at Columbus. Their last home victory was against the Chicago Rush back in February. A victory would also close the season with back-to-back wins and give the Destroyers a good ending to a rather disappointing season.
After all the quarterback shuffling this season, quarterback Matt D’Orazio would head into the off-season with a good chance at capturing the number one spot for next season. Both of Columbus’ wins came with D’Orazio under helm. His last effort against the Philadelphia Soul showed he is the man for the job. D’Orazio came away with six touchdowns, 283 yards passing, and most importantly, did not throw an interception. His performance earned him Offensive Player of the Game.
Offensive specialist Damien Groce is ending the year with a bang as well. CDs are the music industry standard now, but Groce is still grabbing records. He set a new franchise record for single season pass receptions with 112. Groce also set the franchise record for most 100-yard games in a season. If he eclipses 100 yards again against the Storm, he will extend the record to nine games. Groce’s hot hands are also bringing in receiving yards. He extended the Destroyers franchise record to 1,373 yards this past week. The upcoming game against Tampa Bay can push him over the 1,500 yard mark and may land him in the top five in receiving yards this season.
Offensive specialist Bobby Olive scored his first touchdown this season. Wide receiver/linebacker Cornelius White crossed 1,000 yards receiving last week. Kicker Steve Videtich kicked the game winning field goal to give the Destroyers their second victory of the season against Tampa Bay. He is on pace to be in the top 10 in points for kickers this season.
There’s a lot to look forward to this Sunday. Playoff hopes are up for grabs, players and coaches are fighting for pride, and some players are rewriting the record books. If Columbus head coach Chris Spielman and his team can earn another victory to end the season, the Destroyers can sail into the off-season with some wind blowing behind them.
David Grimes has worked as a sports reporter for the Viking Views (North Canton), an editor for The Lantern (The Ohio State University) and was a columnist for the Destroyers here at ArenaFan. After he moved to Columbus to attend college, the Destroyers became an expansion team. Now, after moving to Salem, OH, the Mahoning Valley Thunder became an arenafootball2 expansion team. It seems like Arena Football follows David throughout the Buckeye State.
