Champs Begin Title Defense On Road In Hunstville
Published on March 18, 2011 under Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
COLUMBUS, GA (March 18, 2011) - Seems like it was only yesterday the Columbus Lions became Southern Indoor Football Champions, raising their first ever championship trophy in a 68-13 drubbing of the previous defending three-time champion Louisiana Swashbucklers.
Even after attaining championship glory, much of the team is back for another go round and set to begin this Saturday night on the road against an upstart Hammers squad including All-SIFL performers and local products Damian Daniels, Justen Rivers, Ryan Babb, and Anthony Merritt along with Franklin Lloyd, Chris McCoy, and Tirone Morris.
After last week's 63-20 exhibition win over North Georgia, in which a number of those veterans didn't suit up, around 15 players were let go while a double digit number of rookies like Dustin Doe, Maurice Dupree, and Josh Beard will be making their indoor debuts on Saturday. But one difference in this year's squad is the signing of player who was once a former opponent in wide receiver Josh Smith (Carolina Speed and Mississippi Mudcats) and former NFL signee defensive lineman Derrick Crawford (Cincinnati Bengals).
"Josh is always someone who has torched us whether it was when he played for the Mudcats or for the Speed," says Columbus Lions Head Coach Jason Gibson. "Crawford is a huge presence up-front who can cause some trouble on the ends and may see some time at fullback."
But no club comes out of training camp without some questions needed answered. Just like last year, the offensive line was a major concern and is once again is the case this season. Gone are Terrance Crosby (Iowa), Dion Small (Georgia), and Chris Terrell (Pittsburgh) all of whom made opening AFL rosters. Also gone is SIFL Special Teams Player of the Year Trey Crum, decided to stay closer to home and signed with the SIFL's Mobile Bay Tarpons. Austin Miller was set to replace Crum but a torn quad muscle will keep him out for a number of weeks, instead Geoff Boyer who was signed mid-week will have the kicking duties for the opening game.
Despite Saturday being their inaugural game, the city of Huntsville is no stranger to the indoor game. From 2000-2004 and 2006-2008 the city of Huntsville played as the Tennessee Valley Vipers in the AF2 and won the 2008 Arena Cup Championship. For the 2010 season, the Vipers played in the new Arena Football League as the Alabama Vipers. Once the season ended, the team's owners announced it was leaving Huntsville and moving to Duluth, GA where they became the Georgia Force.
Led by Head Coach Marty Hammond, the Hammers feature a roster mostly comprised of rookies but does feature one former member of the Lions in quarterback Bill Ashburn. Slated to start on Saturday, Ashburn played in seven games finishing with 19 touchdowns along with a rating of 98.31. Wide receiver Willie Quinnie, an ex-Viper had six touchdown receptions last year while Auburn grad and rookie Marquise Gunn could prove to be a force up front the defensive side.
For the 2011 season, the Hammers won't catch any breaks as they share the same division with not only the Lions but the 2010 SIFL regular season champion Albany Panthers. Lions fans should get used to hearing the Hammers name quite a bit as Saturday's game is the first of three matchups along with the Lions first of two trips to the Von Braun Center.
"We continue to build a squad predicated on speed," continues Head Coach Jason Gibson. "No team comes out of training camp crowned as the champs, we will continually get better each week and it will start this Saturday night."Columbus fans can follow each and every play of Saturday night's game by logging on to www.columbuslions.net and clicking on the listen live icon. Kickoff will be 8:30 pm EST with the pre-game slated to start at 8:15 pm EST.
Southern Indoor Football League Stories from March 18, 2011
- Champs Begin Title Defense On Road In Hunstville - Columbus Lions
- Focus on Erie for Harrisburg Stampede - Harrisburg Stampede
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