With 0:41 left on the clock, New York quarterback Aaron Garcia hit receiver Kevin Swayne for a four-yard touchdown to put the Dragons (6-6) within two points, as the score was 43-41 in Columbus' favor. As Garcia attempted the pass to the back of the end zone, Destroyer defensive back Matt Thomas stepped in front of the Dragon receiver and grabbed the ball to keep the lead and the eventual win in the hands of the Destroyers (3-9).
Columbus wide receiver C.J. Johnson took home Offensive Player of the Game honors, as he recorded a season-high nine receptions for 112 and two touchdowns. Quarterback Matt Nagy had another strong performance as he completed 19-of-32 passes for 269 yards and four touchdowns.
In his first game on the defensive side of the ball, Thomas received the Defensive player of the Game award, as he played an extremely important role for the Columbus defense. Thomas finished the game with 7.0 tackles (5UT-4AT). He also added two timely pass breakups that helped force the Dragons to turn the ball over on downs on two-consecutive possessions. His most valuable moment came in the final minute of the game as he intercepted the Garcia pass as the Dragons attempted to tie the game on a two-point conversion.
Early in the first quarter, while Columbus and New York were in the midst of trading touchdowns, Destroyer receiver Derek Lee caught his 100th pass of the season. With the reception, Lee became only the fourth player in Destroyers history to record over 100 receptions in a season. He finished the game with five catches for 55 yards. After the teams traded touchdowns, the quarter ended with a 21-14 deficit for the Destroyers.
The second quarter began with a Columbus drive capped off by a Nate Ilaoa four-yard touchdown run. The score was the rookie's first touchdown in the AFL. Ilaoa finished with 25 yards and one touchdown on six carries before leaving the game late in the third quarter because of a dislocated shoulder. The half ended with a 32-yard field goal off the foot of Mark Lewis as time expired, leaving the score 34-30 in favor of the Dragons.
The Destroyers opened the half with a 10:59, 36-yard touchdown drive. After eight penalties and 18 plays, Nagy took a two-yard rush into the end zone to give the Destroyers their first lead of the game at 36-35.
After New York marched down to the Columbus 10-yardline at the end of the third quarter, the Destroyers defense forced the Dragons to turn the ball over on downs inside of their own 10-yardline. After a Nagy found Calvin Russell for a 40-yard touchdown, the Columbus defense forced New York to turn the ball over on downs after the Dragons had another first-and-goal opportunity.
With time winding down, New York was forced to attempt a two-point conversion with hopes of tying the game at 43, but could not convert. After the Destroyers recovered the Dragon onside kick, and continued to run the clock down with the victory in their grasp.
The Destroyers will return to action May 30 at 8:30 (E.T.) as they travel to New Orleans to take on the VooDoo. Tune into the Destroyers Radio Network and WINK 107.1 at 8 p.m. (ET) as Todd Walker (play-by-play) and Rob Blackman (color analyst) call all the action.
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