Russell marched the team right down the field for a great touchdown response. Russell hit Fabian Guerra in the endzone for a nineteen-yard touchdown reception. This made the score 7 to 7, after Craig Peterson converted the extra point. On Albany’s ensuing possession, Aaron Ivory, the jack linebacker for Columbus, hustled down the field and picked off a Tommy Grady “wall” pass. That was how the first quarter ended with all the momentum and crowd noise on Columbus’s side.

Columbus started the second quarter with the ball at midfield. Russell brought the team down the field but tried to force a pass vertically and got hit at the same time, resulting in an interception in the endzone. Albany, as they do so well, once again capitalized on the Columbus mistake. Tommy Grady threw a money pass on the second play of the drive to Demetres Stephens for an Albany touchdown, making the score 14 to 7 after a converted extra point. Russell, showing cool and calmness, led Columbus right back down the field and scored on an incredible touchdown catch and run from Fabian Guerra. Guerra put up a tough second effort to cross the plain. The score was tied up again at 14 after another successful extra point from Craig Peterson.

Columbus tried to onside kick the kickoff but failed to recover. A few plays later, Albany scored again, this time by a Colin Taylor touchdown reception from Tommy Grady. This made the score 21 to 14 after the extra point went through the uprights. Albany tried to onside kick their following kickoff and failed to recover, exactly as Columbus did the previous kickoff. However, Columbus could not capitalize on the Albany mistake, as Russell was picked off again in the endzone. Albany scored another touchdown before the half ended, Grady to Jones again, making the score 28 to 14. Columbus failed to score with little time left in the first half. The halftime score was 28 to 14, in Albany’s favor.

Columbus took the opening kickoff of the second half and went down the field and scored on a Fabian Guerra rushing touchdown. It was the drive that was needed for Columbus to begin the second half. This made the score 28 to 21, Albany, as Columbus was putting up a fight. Grady drove Albany down the field, finding Jones multiple times, including another touchdown reception for Jones. This made the score 35 to 21, Albany, after a successful extra point.

Guerra made his mark on the game once again by returning the pursuing kickoff to the fifteen, which was a great return for what he had available. Russell then found Guerra on the first play from scrimmage to get it to first and ten near the endzone. A few plays later and the birthday boy, Fabian Guerra, scored once again. It was his third touchdown reception of the game and his fourth touchdown total for the game. This is how the third quarter ended with the score being 35 to 28 Albany.

Albany scored on the opening play of the fourth quarter, when Grady, once again, connected with Malachi Jones for a twenty-four-yard touchdown reception. After an extra point, Albany was up 42 to 28. Columbus would not go down without a fight, as Grant Russell found Fabian Guerra for a twenty-eight-yard touchdown reception. Craig Peterson missed the extra point, so the score remained 42 to 34. Quentin Sims made his mark on the game for Albany, when Tommy Grady found him for a thirty-two-yard touchdown reception to make the score 49 to 34 (Albany missed extra point). Columbus got exactly what they needed when Fabian Guerra, who had the game of his life, returned the next kickoff back for a much-needed touchdown, making the score 49 to 40. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, as the score remained 49 to 40. Albany closed the scoring out for the game when Grady found Sims, for his second touchdown of the game, making the score 56 to 40 after a successful extra point. This would be the final score, as Columbus lost a hard-fought game to the best team in the league.

Final stats of the game for Columbus were as follows. Grant Russell went 22 for 31, 281 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Fabian Guerra led the team in receiving yards, as he racked up 202 yards, 4 receiving touchdowns, a rushing touchdown, and a kick return for a touchdown. Paul Revis added 54 receiving yards, while Jenson Stoshak added 25 receiving yards. LaRico Stevenson led the defense with 8 tackles, while Varmah Sonie added 4 tackles and 1 pass deflection. Aaron Ivory also had an interception for Columbus. Columbus will be at home again next Saturday, as they face the Washington Valor at 3:30pm. The current standings are as follows: Albany (4-0), Baltimore (2-2), Philadelphia (2-2), Atlantic City (2-2), Washington (2-2), Columbus (0-4). 

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