Fire Prep For Bird Stew In Clash With Hammers
May 21, 2014 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Georgia Fire News Release
ROME, GA (May 21, 2014) -In what has become a pivotal make or break type of game for both clubs, the Georgia Fire (3-3) of the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) and the red-hot Alabama Hammers (2-4) will meet up in an American Conference Clash.
Arguably no team is hotter than the defending champion Alabama Hammers, winners of two straight including last Saturday's 73-53 dismantling of Columbus in which the Hammers only trailed once (by one) for the entire contest. On the opposite side, Georgia just witnessed the end of their own two-game winning streak losing a 72-64 shootout to the Stampede.
Last week's loss was certainly no fault of that of the Fire's offense, which erupted setting both an all-time PIFL single-game high 386 yards passing by QB Cecil Lester as well as a 2014 single-game high of 167 yards receiving by WR Johnny Lester.
However two-costly second half turnovers, including an interception thrown by Lester as well as a fumble by WR John Harris, proved to be too much for the Fire defense to overcome. If Georgia wishes to remain in the playoff hunt, something will have to be done to improve a defense that ranks last in passing touchdowns allowed (33), team interceptions (4), as well as team sacks (4), not a bunch of stats when you're on the road to face one of the PIFL's top receiving tandems in former MVP Mico McSwain and Charles McClain.
In their first meeting back on April 5th, McClain tied a PIFL single-game high with 17 receptions. Georgia picked up the 67-65 win that night behind Cecil Lester's 23 of 37 passing with over 300 yards and 5 TD's.
Four key red-zone rushing scores coupled with receiving touchdowns from John Harris, Antwontis Cutts, and Johnny Lester guided the expansion club to their first victory in franchise history.
Unfortunately for Georgia, it appears Alabama has turned the corner. After dropping their first four straight to open the season the Hammers have won two straight in large part to the return of the signal-caller who guided them to the 2013 PIFL Championship, QB Russell Hill.
In the four games prior to his return, Alabama quarterbacks combined to complete just 55% of their passes including throwing ten interceptions. In the two games Hill has started, he has completed 59% of his throws while throwing just three picks. Over the past two years as a starter, Hill has led the Hammers to an overall record of 13-2.
It will be "Military Appreciation Night" in Huntsville and you can hear all of Saturday's PIFL American Conference Clash between the Fire and Hammers by logging on to www.georgiafire.us and clicking on the Listen Live icon.
Don't forget after Saturday the Fire will return home for the first of a three-game home-stand beginning with a meeting on June 1st against the Richmond Raiders. To learn about ticket options, contact the Fire box office at 706-291-5281.
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from May 21, 2014
- Fire Prep For Bird Stew In Clash With Hammers - Georgia Fire
- Alabama Hammers Game 7 Preview (Military Night) - Alabama Hammers
- Raiders Host Stampede Saturday Night - Richmond Raiders
- Stampede Look to Begin a Winning Streak in Richmond - Harrisburg Stampede
- Familiar Foes Battle in New Jersey - Lehigh Valley Steelhawks
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