Columbus fights, but loses in Baltimore to start the season 0-3
Joe Couch
Monday May 13, 2019
It was another eventful Friday night, as Columbus traveled on the road to face the Baltimore Brigade in Royal Farms Arena. The announced attendance was 4,990 fans. Columbus received some fortuitous news before the game Friday, as it was announced that Donovan Morgan would dress and play in his first game of the season. The game went back-and-forth for a while, but Baltimore ended up pulling away in the fourth quarter.
The game started out like so many other Baltimore games in the past, as quarterback, Shane Boyd, found receiver, Joe Hills, for an opening play 44-yard touchdown. On Columbus’s first offensive possession, Grant Russell led them down the field, but failed to convert on a long fourth-down play. The defense of Columbus came up huge on the next series, as Nick Seither recovered a fumble and got the ball back for Columbus. Columbus failed to capitalize again on their next drive, as Russell threw an interception trying to throw into the endzone.
Once again, Columbus’s defense held strong, forcing a defensive stop. Russell then threw his first touchdown of the game to Paul Revis, a connection of 18 yards, to make the score 7 to 7 after a Craig Peterson extra point. Baltimore responded nicely, however, as Shane Boyd led the team down the field and scored on a 1-yard rushing touchdown to make the score 14 to 7 Baltimore. Columbus drove down the field before the half and was able to set up a 29-yard field goal attempt for Peterson, which he made no problem. This made the score 14 to 10 Baltimore. The ball went back to Baltimore with little time in the first half left. Boyd led them to another touchdown beating the first half clock and making the score 21 to 10 at halftime. The touchdown pass was to receiver Milton Williams.
The second half started out great for Columbus. On the second play from scrimmage, Russell found receiver, Jenson Stoshak, for a 19-yard touchdown pass to make the score 21 to 16 (Peterson missed extra point). On the next Baltimore possession, Boyd threw another touchdown pass to Collins. This made the score 28 to 16 Baltimore. The next kickoff was fantastic for Columbus. Fabian Guerra, like lightning out of a bottle, returned the kick 55 yards for a Columbus touchdown, making the score 28 to 23. Baltimore, like they did all night, answered Columbus on the next possession with a 33-yard touchdown pass from Boyd to Collins again.
With under 10 minutes in the game remaining, Russell led Columbus down the field and ran into the endzone for a 1-yard rushing touchdown. This made the score 35 to 30 and gave Columbus a little bit of hope. Columbus did not score again, as Baltimore would score twice to lead them to a 48 to 30 victory.
Final stats from the game were as follows. Grant Russell went 14 for 22 passing, 172 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 1 rushing touchdown, and 1 interception. Jenson Stoshak led the team in receiving yards with 67 and added a touchdown. Paul Revis contributed 59 receiving yards and added a touchdown as well. Fabian Guerra had 46 receiving yards, 134 return yards, and 1 kickoff return touchdown for Columbus. Brandon Stephens led the team with 11 tackles, while Varmah Sonie added 3 tackles and 2 pass deflections.
Entering week four, the standings are as follows: Albany (3-0), Baltimore (2-1), Philadelphia (2-1), Atlantic City (1-2), Washington (1-2), Columbus (0-3). Columbus will play their home opener next Saturday at 7:00pm at Nationwide Arena against Albany. I hope everyone comes out next Saturday, as history will be made when Columbus makes their return to the turf in Nationwide Arena. GO DESTROYERS!
The game started out like so many other Baltimore games in the past, as quarterback, Shane Boyd, found receiver, Joe Hills, for an opening play 44-yard touchdown. On Columbus’s first offensive possession, Grant Russell led them down the field, but failed to convert on a long fourth-down play. The defense of Columbus came up huge on the next series, as Nick Seither recovered a fumble and got the ball back for Columbus. Columbus failed to capitalize again on their next drive, as Russell threw an interception trying to throw into the endzone.
Once again, Columbus’s defense held strong, forcing a defensive stop. Russell then threw his first touchdown of the game to Paul Revis, a connection of 18 yards, to make the score 7 to 7 after a Craig Peterson extra point. Baltimore responded nicely, however, as Shane Boyd led the team down the field and scored on a 1-yard rushing touchdown to make the score 14 to 7 Baltimore. Columbus drove down the field before the half and was able to set up a 29-yard field goal attempt for Peterson, which he made no problem. This made the score 14 to 10 Baltimore. The ball went back to Baltimore with little time in the first half left. Boyd led them to another touchdown beating the first half clock and making the score 21 to 10 at halftime. The touchdown pass was to receiver Milton Williams.
The second half started out great for Columbus. On the second play from scrimmage, Russell found receiver, Jenson Stoshak, for a 19-yard touchdown pass to make the score 21 to 16 (Peterson missed extra point). On the next Baltimore possession, Boyd threw another touchdown pass to Collins. This made the score 28 to 16 Baltimore. The next kickoff was fantastic for Columbus. Fabian Guerra, like lightning out of a bottle, returned the kick 55 yards for a Columbus touchdown, making the score 28 to 23. Baltimore, like they did all night, answered Columbus on the next possession with a 33-yard touchdown pass from Boyd to Collins again.
With under 10 minutes in the game remaining, Russell led Columbus down the field and ran into the endzone for a 1-yard rushing touchdown. This made the score 35 to 30 and gave Columbus a little bit of hope. Columbus did not score again, as Baltimore would score twice to lead them to a 48 to 30 victory.
Final stats from the game were as follows. Grant Russell went 14 for 22 passing, 172 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 1 rushing touchdown, and 1 interception. Jenson Stoshak led the team in receiving yards with 67 and added a touchdown. Paul Revis contributed 59 receiving yards and added a touchdown as well. Fabian Guerra had 46 receiving yards, 134 return yards, and 1 kickoff return touchdown for Columbus. Brandon Stephens led the team with 11 tackles, while Varmah Sonie added 3 tackles and 2 pass deflections.
Entering week four, the standings are as follows: Albany (3-0), Baltimore (2-1), Philadelphia (2-1), Atlantic City (1-2), Washington (1-2), Columbus (0-3). Columbus will play their home opener next Saturday at 7:00pm at Nationwide Arena against Albany. I hope everyone comes out next Saturday, as history will be made when Columbus makes their return to the turf in Nationwide Arena. GO DESTROYERS!
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
