COLUMBUS, OHIO — The Columbus Destroyers, presented by Germain, lost 56-47 to the Dallas Desperados in front of 14,251 fans on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena Saturday night.
Wide Receiver Willis Marshall was named Offensive Player of the Game after recording three touchdowns, two rushing and one receiving. Defensive back Will Pettis was named Defensive Player of the Game as he had two-and-half tackles.
Destroyers defensive lineman Ken Jones made the defensive play of the game for Columbus (6-6), tipping a Dallas (11-1) lateral and then recovering the ball with the home team down by seven points in the fourth quarter. On the ensuing possession, the Destroyers scored a seven-yard touchdown when quarterback Matt Nagy found wide receiver David Saunders for a touchdown. However, kicker Peter Martinez missed the extra point to tie the game, leaving Columbus behind 42-41.
The teams traded touchdowns, including a Harold Wells three-yard touchdown run. After the score, the Destroyers went for a two-point conversion to tie the game but were unsuccessful and remained down by two points. Another Desperados touchdown made it a two score game and Nagy threw an interception with 31 seconds left – Dallas ran out the rest of the clock.
The Destroyers opened the second half with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Nagy to wide receiver Damien Groce. Dallas followed with a score by Willis Marshall. Nagy found Groce again for a 15-yard pass and catch to make the score 42-35 Dallas at the end of the third quarter. With that touchdown grab, Groce tied the franchise record for touchdown receptions in a season with 23.
In the first half, the Desperados scored on two straight possessions, a 45-yard touchdown catch and a two-yard touchdown run, both by Will Pettis to take 14-0 lead. The Destroyers answered with 5 yard pass and catch between Nagy and Saunders, to make the score 14-7. For Saunders it was his 18th consecutive game with a touchdown reception.
Nagy found Saunders again, for an 8-yard touchdown to bring Columbus back to within seven, 21-14. On the ensuing kickoff, Martinez’ kickoff hit the left upright, causing the ball to bounce over the heads of the Dallas returners. The ball was then knocked down by Columbus receiver Marcus Knight, into the end zone, and recovered for a touchdown to tie the game 21-21.
Dallas scored twice more, on a one-yard touchdown run by fullback Josh White and a one-yard touchdown run by Marshall. The score at halftime was 35-21 in favor Dallas.
The Destroyers return to action next week when they visit the Georgia Force on Saturday, June 4. Kickoff at Georgia Dome 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).
