Columbus loses another heartbreaker
By Giles Kennedy, Columbus Wired Contributor
Photos by Tom Theodore

The Dallas Desperados came into town after a loss on Monday night against the unbeaten Soul. And with a short week and facing an angry Columbus team that got embarrassed on national television the odds seemed against them. But, experience showed as All-AFL Dallas QB Clint Dolezel drove his team to the winning touchdown with seconds left on the clock to pull out a 48-45 win.

The loss all but virtually eliminated the Destroyers (2-7) from the playoffs and they won’t be able to defend their National Conference crown. With the victory, Dallas (8-1) shook off the defeat a week earlier against the undefeated Philadelphia Soul.

“One thing these guys must realize,” Columbus Head Coach Doug Kay commented, “They have seven more football games. None of them is against a team like we played tonight.”

Dolezel, the AFL’s all-time passing yards leader who was also named Offensive Player of the Game, threw for 291 yards (24 of 37) and seven touchdowns and two interceptions for the win.

Columbus quarterback Matt Nagy had another strong outing, completing 21-28 passes for 267 yards and four touchdowns. Nagy also matched a career-high with two rushing touchdowns.

Columbus led 33-20 at halftime and things looked in their favor as the offense capitalized on two interceptions.

Dallas came back after the half and the two teams traded blows.

Late in the game, the Dallas defensive unit came up big when they stopped Columbus on downs. After another Dolezel TD pass, the Desperados led 41-39.

Later, after a Dallas turnover deep inside Destroyer territory, Columbus used it’s running game with Harold Wells scoring with 45-seconds remaining to put the Destroyers in the lead 45-41.

“Dallas allowed us to score that last touchdown,” Columbus quarterback Matt Nagy remarked.

But, this is Arena ball and 45-seconds can be a lifetime. Dolezel found Will Pettis wide open with 15 seconds remaining to give the Desperados a 48-45 lead.

But, With 15-seconds remaining, Columbus did not give up. Nagy drove the team to the 9-yard line, where head coach Doug Kay decided to go with the game winning field goal, even though kicker Mark Lewis had missed two extra point attempts earlier. Lewis' game-tying field goal missed right from 25-yards and sent the 14,301 fans heading for the exits.

“I am very proud of my team,” Kay said. “It’s the type of effort we have been looking for. They played with heart and energy. They played well enough to win.”

Columbus goes on the road the next two weeks. May 10th, they will visit the Kansas City Brigade. May 17th they will travel to face the Philadelphia Soul. They return home on May 24th to match up against the New York Dragons.