Columbus Wild Dogs (IFL)

[LloydSev]

http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?Category=17&ID=204073&r=3&external=&newCookie=yes&userID=83591

CANTON — Now, if it can get a handful of players to live up to the nickname, Canton’s new arena football team will be in good shape.

Tying into the area’s football history and heritage, the Atlantic Indoor Football League’s Canton franchise has settled on its nickname. The team will be known as the Canton Legends, after a name-the-team contest that attracted more than 1,000 entries, including 60 with the Legends suggestion.

“There is a lot of history to Canton, Ohio, with the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the rich tradition in high school football,” said the team’s general manager, Lynn Mickles. “There have been a lot of legendary players from this area.”

North Canton resident Leah Van Dyke was one of those who entered Legends as the nickname. Her name was drawn at random, and she won four season tickets for as long as the franchise exists. Because Van Dyke will be leaving for college in Arizona and is unable to use the tickets, she asked the team to donate them to the Boys and Girls Club.

The team’s colors will consist of maroon, gold and black. Andrew Haines, president of the AIFL and owner of the Legends, said he has reached agreements with several corporate sponsorships, the most significant of which is with Rawlings, which will provide the official football, a five-panel ball that will be red, white and blue. Fans keep all balls that go into the stands.

The AIFL has six franchises. Along with Canton, teams are located in Erie, Pa.; Richmond, Va.; Raleigh, N.C.; Johnstown, Pa. and Charlotte, N.C. The league will operate three of the teams, but Haines said he has prospective buyers in Johnstown and Erie.

Last week, Haines hired former Miami Dolphins linebacker Jay Brophy, a former head football coach at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, as Canton’s coach.

With a coach, nickname, arena and logo in place, all the Legends need are players. The roster will consist of 18 active players and five on a practice squad. Each active player will be paid $300 per game during a 14-game season.

Brophy will begin filling that roster today during the league’s draft. Canton has the fourth pick in the first round, and Brophy won’t reveal whom he will select. Chances are it will be a player outside the area, because several local players said they are unwilling to relocate if selected by another team.

“One of the reasons we liked Jay Brophy is he will be their (players’) friend, their coach, and he will also be a disciplinarian,” Mickles said. “We want our players to know when they step out into this community, they’re representing our organization. When they go on the road and step into another community, they’re representing the city of Canton, and that can’t be tarnished.

“It does no good for us to have someone here who scores nine touchdowns, then goes out in the community and has problems.”

Brophy has hired former Mount Union All-American quarterback Jim Ballard as offensive coordinator. Ballard has played arena football, and Brophy said he will draw on that experience in developing an offense for a game vastly different than the traditional outdoor game.

AIFL games consist of eight players on offense and defense. The offense includes three offensive linemen, one being a pass-eligible tight end; a quarterback; one running back; and three receivers, one of which can go in forward motion before the snap.

Brophy also is bringing in former University of Michigan star and Buchtel graduate Ricky Powers as an offensive assistant.

“People have asked if Ricky will play,” Brophy said. “Ricky says the answer is, ‘No way.’ We’ll have to see for sure, but he’s 32 years old and is excited about teaching the game.”

The Raleigh franchise will play an all-away schedule this year before moving into an arena next season. The league’s opening day is scheduled for April 16. The Legends’ home opener is April 30 at Memorial Civic Center.

You can reach Repository sports writer Todd Porter at (330) 580-8340 or e-mail:

 

[scooter1369]

I don't how many of you guys (or gals) follow the Destroyers. I'm trying to this year as a pacifier for real football.

After the season opening whooping they put on Grand Rapids 53-30, I think this team has some potential. Holding a team under 30 in Arena is like hloding them under 12 in the NFL. If the defense can play like that consistantly, This could be a good year for the Destroyers.

 

[scooter1369]

Tonight @ 8:00pm, the 1-0 Destroyers travel to Nashville to take on the 1-0 Kats.

Last week the Kats defeated the New York Dragons 57-28. Much like the Destroyers, the Kats are an improved team from last year and have some real potential.

This game is being televised on FSN.

I'll post rosters and starters when I get home this morning.

 

[scooter1369]

I didn't get a chance to post the rosters...

Columbus fell 58-27 to the Kats.

 

[OhioState49]

Does Earl Bruce still coach?

 

[OhioState49]

I CANT BELIEVE THEY LOST LAST NIGHT!

 

[OhioState49]

Juan Porter plays for the Destroyers

 

[scooter1369]

Correction, the Kats won 53-27.

I'm gonna try to keep this thread updated better.

 

[scooter1369]

From arenafootball.com

Desperados - Destroyers Game Preview
Courtesy: Nathan Boudreaux
Release: 02/08/2006

Dallas Desperados (2-0) at Columbus Destroyers (1-1)...Saturday, 7 pm



By Nathan Boudreaux --

The Dallas Desperados will take their undefeated record on the road again this week as they travel to Ohio to take on the Columbus Destroyers on Saturday at Nationwide Arena. Dallas (2-0) is coming off back-to-back wins vs. expansion teams (Kansas City and Utah), while Columbus returns home after falling to Nashville 53-27 on the road last week. The Destroyers and Desperados have met four times with the Desperados holding a 3-1 edge in the overall series.

About the Desperados: Dallas is one of the hottest teams in the AFL through the first two weeks of the season and heads to Columbus off a 56-53 win at Utah last week. Free agent QB Clint Dolezel passed for 343 yards and seven TDs and newcomer OS Terrill Shaw lit up the scoreboard with 11 catches for 208 yards and five TDs (four receiving/one rushing). WR/LB Dialleo Burks added four grabs for 63 yards and a score and WR/DB Will Pettis chipped in with four catches for 61 yards and two TDs in the win. In two games this season, Dolezel has 13 TDs against just one INT, while Shaw has 20 catches for 320 yards and seven TDs. Pettis also has three TDs on offense and a pair of INTs on defense.



About the Destroyers: Columbus is 1-1 on the season but returns home after a disappointing effort on the road at Nashville last week. QB John Kaleo completed just 17-of-40 passes for 159 yards with three TDs and tossed two INTs in the loss at Nashville, and OS Thabiti Davis caught seven passes for 77 yards and a TD. Offensively, Columbus has been inconsistent through the first two weeks of the season, scoring 53 points in week 1 and just 27 in week 2. Kaleo has passed for 415 yards with seven TDs and three INTs, and the Destroyers offensive line has not allowed a sack. Davis leads the club in receiving (16-208-4) but may move to WR/LB with the addition of OS Henry Douglas, who was traded from Chicago earlier this week.



Prediction: Columbus should be able to move the ball (Dallas is last in the AFL in total defense allowing 313.5 ypg.), but Kaleo and company will have to find the end zone in order to keep pace with the Dallas offense. If Dallas jumps out early, it could be a long night for the Destroyers...Dallas 57, Columbus 49

 

[scooter1369]

HOLLY 3rd year member
Age: 23
Education: The Ohio State University
Studying: Psychology
Dream Job: Construction Worker
You wouldn’t believe I love: Heavy Metal
Dream Vacation: Aruba on the beach
I love my: Green Bay Packers
I hate: Michigan
Favorite Person: My boyfriend
I am: Goofy

 

[scooter1369]

Destroyers Depth Chart

WR 18 Lincoln Dupree   9 Ira Gooch   
G 1 Kelvin Kinney     97 Ken Kocher   
C 54 Chris Janek      95 Juan Porter   68 Howard Duncan 
G 99 Mike Sutton      86 Ken Jones     92 Dan Rumishek 
WR 2 David Saunders   17 Eddie Galles   
OS 82 Thabiti Davis    Henry Douglas    
QB 3 John Kaleo        7 Billy Dicken   
FB 33 Leroy Thompson   32 Harold Wells   



 
DEFENSE 
DE 1 Kelvin Kinney     97 Ken Kocher   
NG 54 Chris Janek      95 Juan Porter   68 Howard Duncan 
DE 99 Mike Sutton      86 Ken Jones     92 Dan Rumishek 
LB 2 David Saunders    17 Eddie Galles   
LB 33 Leroy Thompson   32 Harold Wells   
DB 18 Lincoln Dupree   9 Ira Gooch   
DS 6 Cecil Doggette     
DS 12 Jerald Brown     



 
SPECIAL TEAMS 
K 8 Mark Lewis     
H 7 Billy Dicken     
LS 92 Dan Rumishek     
KR 18 Lincoln Dupree   9 Ira Gooch   # Henry Douglas

 

[BB73]

HOLLY 3rd year member
Age: 23
Education: The Ohio State University
Studying: Psychology
Dream Job: Construction Worker
You wouldn’t believe I love: Heavy Metal
Dream Vacation: Aruba on the beach
I love my: Green Bay Packers
I hate: Michigan
Favorite Person: My boyfriend
I am: Goofy

Anybody willing to give her "A ruba on the beach"?

 

[scooter1369]

Destroyers fall 52 38 at home to Dallas

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Destroyers scored two touchdowns in 10 seconds to open the second quarter to build a 17-14 lead, however the Dallas Desperados used a 21-point third quarter to defeat Columbus 52-38 in front of 12,286 fans on Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena Saturday.

Dallas quarterback Clint Dolezel, who was named Offensive Player of the Game, threw for three third-quarter scores to give Dallas a lead that they would not relinquish. Dolezel completed 23-of-34 passes for 281 yards and six touchdowns. Columbus defensive specialist Cecil Doggette recorded eight tackles to earn Defensive Player of the Game recognition. Dallas wide receiver/defensive back Will Pettis earned Ironman of the Game honors after recording six receptions for 112 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Dallas opened the scoring with a 41-yard Dolezel touchdown pass to Pettis. After holding the Destroyers to a field goal, the Desperados led 14-3 at the end of the first quarter when Dolezel found Dialleo Burks from five yards out.

Columbus displayed some creativity in the second quarter when Ira Gooch received a handoff from John Kaleo on a reverse and bounced an incomplete pass to Thabiti Davis off the side boards in the end zone. Gouch then caught a Kaleo strike on the next play for Columbus’ first touchdown and to pull within 14-10.

The following kickoff also resulted in a Destroyers touchdown when offensive/defensive lineman Ken Kocher forced a Dallas fumble that would be recovered by B.J. Barre in the end zone to give the Destroyers a 17-14 lead.

Dallas and Columbus exchanged touchdowns before Dallas converted a 39-yard field goal as the second quarter expired with Columbus and Dallas tied at 24.

With Dallas leading 45-24, the Destroyers again displayed certain panache for scoring quick points. The Destroyers responded with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Kaleo to Davis and then forced another Dallas fumble three-plays later, which was recovered on the Dallas 12-yard line.

Kaleo completed a 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver/linebacker Eddie Galles on the next play, bringing the score to 45-38. Dallas went on to score an insurance touchdown, ending the game with a 52-38 lead.

The Destroyers will hit the road for the second time this season when they travel to Kansas City to take on the Brigade Sunday, Feb. 19. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (ET).

The Destroyers will return home to Huntington Field at Nationwide Arena on Friday, Feb. 24 to host the Arizona Rattlers. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel and other Buckeye greats will be on hand to speak.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

2/16/06

ARENA FOOTBALL

Destroyers QB listed as questionable

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Dave Devereux
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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As if a two-game losing skid weren’t enough for the Destroyers, injuries and the flu have left them shorthanded as they prepare for a road game Sunday against the Kansas City Brigade.
Quarterback John Kaleo suffered a back strain on his final play of the Destroyers’ 52-38 loss Sunday to the Dallas Desperados. Kaleo, listed as questionable, did not practice Wednesday. In his absence, Billy Dicken took all of the reps.
"He’s a great preparer," coach Doug Kay said of Dicken. "I think he’s here because he understands that he’s one snap away from being the starter."
Dicken is a fifth-year Arena Football League player from Purdue. In 2000, he played for the Quad City Steamwheelers of arenafootball2. He passed for 73 touchdowns with four interceptions in guiding the Steamwheelers to a 19-0 record and the Arena-Cup title.
"He gives us relatively the same experience as John (Kaleo) and the same leadership and competency," Kay said.
Meanwhile, receiver/defensive back Ira Gooch will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn knee ligament Sunday.
Also, newly acquired offensive specialist Henry Douglas (high ankle sprain) is doubtful, kicker Mark Lewis (foot) is day to day, and defensive specialist Jerald Brown and reveiver/defensive back B.J. Barre have the flu.
[email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

2/22/06

ARENA FOOTBALL

Dancing to another tune: Destroyers take ballet class

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Dave Devereux
THE COLUMBUS DISPTCH

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</IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=credit width=200>FRED SQUILLANTE | DISPATCH </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>Christine Mangia of BalletMet helps Jerald Brown with a ballet move as teammate Leroy Thompson waits for his turn. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


After warming up with some tendus and a few plies — a simultaneous flexion of the hip, knee and ankle — Destroyers offensive-defensive lineman Mike Sutton felt that his ballet endeavors were fulfilled.
His next move was finding a chair.
"My ankles are not fit to turn that way," Sutton said, laughing. "They had a crowd at the, door so I figured I’d step out and let the more flexible guys like Ken Jones and Leroy Thompson strut their stuff."
After practicing earlier in the day for a game with Arizona on Friday in Nationwide Arena, the Destroyers were put through a one-hour ballet workout yesterday by Ballet-Met dancers Justin Gibbs and his wife, Christine Mangia.
The football players weren’t practicing new end zone dances, nor did they lose a bet. Instead, it was done to enhance their fitness regimen.
"I can see the benefit of a ballet class," said offensive specialist Thabiti Davis, who didn’t participate because of a hamstring injury. "You look at ballet dancers, they’re some of the most flexible people."
Gibbs, a former high-school football player in Sparta, Mich., taught the players basic principles that could be applied toward football.
"I’m certainly not out to make them feel silly," Gibbs said. "I’m certainly not in any regards out to make them feel unmanly. It’s kind of like what ballet is as a sport and why certain football programs include ballet because of the flexibility and the connection to your mind and body."
Several prominent NFL players have used ballet to improve their agility, including Hershel Walker, who performed for ballet companies, and former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Lynn Swann, whose acrobatic catches became a trademark during his Hall of Fame career.
"The primary difference between ballet and other sports is that most building and strengthening exercises work on contracting muscles, and ballet is the extension of muscles," Gibbs said.
During the tendu exercises, the emphasis was on extending the leg and foot to a designated position. Other exercises helped the players understand their center of balance.
The pirouettes were saved for another time.
"A lot of balance, a lot of stretching," receiver-defensive back B.J. Barre said. "It works.
"I had to slow down so some of the other guys could catch up."
[email protected]