Hammers Mauled By Lions, Playoff Hopes Dashed
June 22, 2014 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Alabama Hammers News Release
Just three plays into the contest, the Columbus Lions scored on a five-yard run by Leroy Vann to take a lead it never relinquished and soundly defeated the Alabama Hammers 69-31 on the Hammers' home field at the Von Braun Center, thus eliminating the Hammers from any chance of making the 2014 playoffs of the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL). The win puts the Lions in the post season round of play.
The Lions had leads of 21-3 after the first quarter, 32-17 at halftime and 53-24 after three quarters. The closest the Hammers came to the Lions was 7-3 halfway through the first stanza.
"When things go bad, they go bad," stated Hammers' head coach Dean Cokinos after watching his Hammers fall to 3-8 on the season. "We fought back at one time during the game, but began to go backwards again. Our defense played well enough for a victory, but our offense was lacking, especially having a quarterback (Russel Hill) who comes in just for the game without any practice time."
The Lions (6-5) had five interceptions, two of which were returned for TDs. Damian Daniels did the honors on a 42-yard score in the second quarter and Roshawn Daniels had a 15-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter. Additional scores for the Lions came on TD receptions by Jarmon Fortson from Luke Halpin (18, 15 and 11-yards), a Halpin 1-yard sneak, a defensive safety and the kicking of Craig Camay who had five extra points, two field goals and six Unos for a total of 17-points.
The Hammers posted its scores on passes from Russel Hill to Larry Shipp and Mico McSwain. Shipp scored on plays of 33 and 21-yards, both in the second quarter, while McSwain posted touchdowns of 12 and 8-yards with one each in the third and fourth quarters.
The good crowd on Alexander Dodge Community Appreciation Night was entertained with spectacular plays and thunder-like hits on defensive plays. The defending PIFL Champion Hammers complete its season on Friday, June 27, with its game against the Harrisburg Stampede in a contest that was postponed on April 28 due to severe weather. The Lions will also see its regular season come to a close on June 27 on the road against the Georgia Fire.
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from June 22, 2014
- Stampede Hang on in Home Finale Versus Rival Steelhawks - Harrisburg Stampede
- Steelhawks Fall Late in Final Round of Keystone Classic - Lehigh Valley Steelhawks
- Hammers Mauled By Lions, Playoff Hopes Dashed - Alabama Hammers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
