Lions Back On Road To Face Hammers
March 22, 2012 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
COLUMBUS, GA (March 21, 2012) - Hot off their first win of the season, the Columbus Lions (1-1) of the Professional Indoor Football League hope to carry that momentum into this Saturday's match-up against when they travel to play the Alabama Hammers (0-1) at 8:00 PM EST.
It wasn't an easy finish, but behind QB Randy Hippeard's eight total touchdowns the Columbus Lions grabbed their first win of the season defeating the Knoxville Nighthawks 64-59. For the second game in a row, the Lions defense gave up more than 50 points finding themselves in a dog-fight last Saturday against the Nighthawks. Led by QB Tony Colston and his 20 of 28 passing for 305 yards and eight total touchdowns, the expansion Knoxville squad did not go quietly into the night as a last minute drive was needed for the Lions to hold on to the win.
"Our defense has seen two different types of QB in as many weeks," says Columbus Lions Head Coach Jason Gibson. "We have given up the points, but considering we played with a short field a lot last weekend our defense got on the field a lot quicker than we would have wanted."
This weekend, Columbus will face a familiar foe when they travel to Huntsville, AL to take on the Alabama Hammers. Having played each other three times last season, the Lions swept the season series including two wins on the Hammers turf at the Von Braun Center. Their last meeting in Huntsville ended in a duel in which the Lions narrowly escaped with 80-55 victory.
"In that game they had Maurice," continues Coach Gibson speaking of WR Maurice Dupree. "I think he alone had four touchdowns against us, it was a nightmare trying to cover him."
Dupree has gotten off to a fast start collecting four touchdowns a piece in the Lions two opening games leading the league in both touchdowns (8) and receptions (15).
Alabama ended up losing their season opener 56-49 to the Louisiana Swashbucklers, but not before overcoming a late three touchdown lead. In the second half alone, Nelson threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more helping the Hammers tie the game up with just two minutes remaining, but was unable to come up with a last minute defensive stop of the Bucs to complete the comeback.
On the receiving end, Alabama boasts the exciting duo of Charles McClain and Germico McSwain who in 2011 combined to haul in 130 receptions, 1, 600 yards and 36 touchdowns. On defense, linebacker Darian Payne proved to be a throne in the Lions side last season intercepting four passes in their three meetings a season ago while defensive back Al Donaldson is picking up where he left off last season with his team-high 44.5 tackles wrapping up 7 in the Hammers loss on Saturday.
"So far every game in the PIFL has been decided up until the very end," says Gibson. "Fans should expect more of the same this weekend as Alabama is an explosive squad that can put some points on the board."
With coverage beginning at 7:55 PM EST, fans can follow all of Saturday's action between the Lions and Hammers by logging on to www.columbuslions.net and clicking on the listen live icon.
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from March 22, 2012
- PIFL Announces Week 2 Rankings - PIFL
- Lions Back On Road To Face Hammers - Columbus Lions
- Hammers Host Columbus Saturday in PIFL Home Opener - Alabama Hammers
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