Columbus Destroyers fall to Soul in the final seconds 56-53

Saturday June 16, 2007

Destroyers can secure a playoff position with a win next week in New York

PHILADELPHIA - The Columbus Destroyers, presented by Germain, lost a close Eastern Division battle 56-53 at the hands of the Philadelphia Soul in front of 17,284 fans at Wachovia Center Saturday night. With the win the Soul (7-8) has clinched a playoff spot in the Mitsubishi Motors Drive to ArenaBowl XXI. The Destroyers (6-9) can secure the final spot in the National Conference playoff picture next Saturday against the New York Dragons (5-10).

Soul wide receiver Larry Brackins was named Offensive Player of the Game after catching eight passes for a game-high 113 yards and four touchdowns. Soul defensive back Mike Brown was named Defensive Player of the game as he made six tackles (4UT-4AT) and made a crucial interception in the fourth quarter.

Playing in front of a home crowd, Destroyers quarterback Matt Nagy completed 21-of-41 passes for 204 yards and seven touchdowns. Wide receiver David Saunders was the Destroyers leading receiver as he hauled in eight passes for 52 yards and three touchdowns.

Down 7-0 in the first quarter, Nagy found wide receiver David Saunders as he caught a 2-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone to tie the score at seven. After Graziani found Larry Brackins for a 17-yard score, Nagy found Freddie Solomon for an 8-yard touchdown to tie the score at 14 to end the first quarter.

The Soul led off the scoring in the second quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run by Idris Price. B.J. Barre capped off a 19-yard drive with a 5-yard end around for the score. The point after attempt by Martinez failed and the Soul led 21-20. With less two minutes left in the first half, the Destroyers attempted an on-side kickoff attempt that was recovered by the Soul on the Destroyers 8-yard line. Jerrian James caught Graziani's third touchdown of the night from eight yards out. Nagy completed his third touchdown of the night as he found Saunders in the back of the end zone from two yards, Saunders' second touchdown reception of the night. The Destroyers and Soul ended the first half tied at 27.

Barre opened the third quarter as he caught a 24-yard strike from Nagy to give the Destroyers their first lead of the game at 34-27. The Soul turned the ball over on downs at their own 9-yard line and Cole Magner, playing in his first game in the AFL, was the recipient of Nagy's fifth touchdown of the night from nine yards out. After a missed extra point the Destroyers led 40-27. After trading touchdowns, including a 29-yard laser from Nagy to Magner, the Soul closed out the third quarter with a 1-play, 27-yard touchdown to Brackins. The Destroyers led 47-41 at the end of the third stanza.

With the ball on the 7-yard line, Nagy found Saunders for his third touchdown reception for the game. The Destroyers led 53-41 following a failed two-point conversion to begin the fourth quarter. The Soul answered back as Brackins caught his fourth touchdown of the contest from 13-yards. The Destroyers lead was cut to five points at 53-48 with 10:51 remaining in regulation. On the ensuing Destroyers drive Soul defensive back Eddie Moten intercepted the football in the end zone only to bring it out to the Columbus 21-yard line and fumble the ball back into the hands of Destroyers center Will Rabatin.

On a key fourth down play in Soul territory Nagy was intercepted by Mike Brown with 0:53 remaining in the contest. Graziani led the Soul on a 6-play, 42-yard drive culminating in a 3-yard touchdown to Charles Pauley and the Soul regained the lead. Graziani found Brackins for the 2-point conversion to give the Soul a 56-53 lead with :07 remaining. The Soul was victorious after Martinez' 59-yard field goal attempt went wide. The Soul has now qualified for the playoffs in two-consecutive seasons.

The Destroyers return to action next week when they visit the New York Dragons on Saturday, June 23. Kickoff at Nassau Coliseum is set for 7 p.m. ET. The game will broadcast live on the Destroyers Radio Network and flagship station WINK 107.1 FM with the pre-game show beginning at 6:30 p.m. (ET).

The Destroyers and Giant Eagle are teaming up with the Mid-Ohio FoodBank to TACKLE HUNGER in Central Ohio. Last year, with the help fans, the Destroyers raised enough resources to provide over 27,000 meals to those in need. Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to all Destroyers home games to receive a raffle ticket. In addition to the food drive, if fans bring a non-perishable food item from Giant Eagle they will receive a voucher for $3 off a regularly priced ticket.

WE BELIEVE that you can never get enough football. Stay tuned to www.ColumbusDestroyers.com <http://www.ColumbusDestroyers.com> for updates on the Mitsubishi Motors Drive to ArenaBowl XXI standings. For information on 2008 Destroyers season tickets call (877) COLS-AFL. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for group rates by calling (614) 246-HITS.