As Columbus fans, we did not know what to expect going into week two. Week one was a little shaky, so we could only hope things got better. Things did drastically improve as the team put up one heck of a fight in Atlantic City, but ended up on the short end, 42 to 35. It was a historic day for Atlantic City, as it was their first ever home game as the Blackjacks in the Boardwalk Hall. A good crowd, of 6,139 fans, were in attendance to watch a great indoor football game.

               
Columbus literally could not have asked for a better start to the game. Craig Peterson kicked the opening kickoff for Columbus and got a sacred “barball” that was recovered by Columbus. For those of you new to the game of arena football, a “barball” is when the football goes off the uprights in the endzone and bounces back into the field of play. Very fortuitous play to start the game for the away team. Grant Russell started with great field position and capitalized, as he threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Paul Revis. Revis had a breakout game, which was expected at the beginning of the year, because most people compare him to the great Wes Welker. Peterson missed the extra point, but Columbus was up early 6-0.

                Atlantic City took their opening drive down the field and scored on a LaMark Brown touchdown run of 2 yards. Mark Lewis converted the extra point and Atlantic City was up 7-6. Russell took Columbus right back down the field and threw his second touchdown pass of the day to Fabian Guerra. After a Peterson extra point, the score was 13-7 in favor of Columbus, and would remain that way after 1 quarter. Atlantic City scored next on a Randy Hippeard touchdown run. The score was 14-13, Atlantic City. Columbus drove down the field on the next possession and capped it off with a touchdown when Russell threw his third touchdown of the first half, this time to Jenson Stoshak. After a Peterson extra point, Columbus took a 20-14 lead. Right before the half ended, Atlantic City drove down the field and scored on a Cornelius Lewis touchdown run. At the end of one half, it was Atlantic City 21-20 over Columbus.

                The third quarter did not start out well for Columbus. The offense turned it over on downs and Atlantic City drove down the field and scored another touchdown thanks to Randy Hippeard finding Wesley Mauia for a 2-yard score. After a successful extra point, Atlantic City was up 28-20. That would be the only score for the third quarter, as Columbus headed to the fourth quarter down by 8. Russell threw his fourth touchdown of the day, when he found Fabian Guerra for another touchdown. The extra point was good and suddenly Columbus was only down 1 in the fourth quarter.

                Atlantic City scored another touchdown, as Hippeard threw another touchdown pass, this time to LaMark Brown. The point after was good and Atlantic City was up by 8 again. On Columbus’s next possession, Russell threw a pick six to defensive lineman, Lynden Trail. This made the score 42-27 Atlantic City with 6 minutes remaining in the game. Russell did bounce back and lead Columbus down the field for another touchdown pass to Fabian Guerra. Russell then ran the two-point conversion in himself and with a little over a minute left in the game, Columbus was only down 7. Columbus needed to recover an onside kick, which they failed to do. Atlantic City ran out the clock to secure the 42-35 victory for their first win in franchise history.

                Grant Russell was a bright spot for this team Saturday. Final stats from the game were as follows. For Columbus, Grant Russell went 21 for 36, 211 passing yards, 5 touchdown passes, and 1 interception. Jenson Stoshak led Columbus in receiving yards as he had 76 receiving yards and 1 touchdown. Fabian Guerra led Columbus in touchdowns as he had 3 touchdowns and 44 receiving yards. Paul Revis added 5 catches for 75 yards and 1 touchdown. Craig Peterson went 3 for 4 on extra points. LaRico Stevenson led the team with 7 tackles, while Varmah Sonie had a solid efford with 4 tackles and 1 pass deflection. For Atlantic City, Randy Hippeard went 17 for 22, 143 passing yards, and 2 touchdowns. Antwane Grant led the team in receiving yards, while LaMark Brown and Wesley Mauia both added a receiving touchdown. Mark Lewis went 6 for 6 on extra points. Arthur Hobbs led the team in tackles as he had 9 of them and 1 pass deflection. 

 

Joe Couch has been an avid sports fan, especially Arena Football, since he was a little kid. He has always been a die-hard Columbus Destroyers fan. Joe received a full ride scholarship to play golf at the University of Northwestern Ohio. He graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor`s Degree in Business Management, while also enjoying a successful collegiate golf career. Joe is now an insurance agent, but also enjoys writing about the Columbus AFL team in his spare time. You can follow Joe and his Columbus fan page on twitter @AFLCOLUMBUS2019