Lions beat by Panthers
March 17, 2013 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
COLUMBUS, GA - On Saturday night, the Columbus Lions (1-1) of the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) went toe-to-toe with the defending champion Albany Panthers (2-0) only to come up short 40-37 due to a last-second field goal by kicker Ryan Gates.
Once again the Albany Panthers and Columbus Lions showcased why they are one of indoor football's most premier rivalries with the pair almost needing an extra period to finish of the twelfth meeting in the series. With five seconds remaining and deadlocked at 37, Panthers kicker Ryan Gates ended any chance of the Lions forcing overtime proving to be clutch when he nailed a 28-yard field goal.
The Lions defense picked up where it left off last week with Albany QB and PIFL Week 1 Offensive Player of the Week Cecil Lester struggling to complete just 17 of 37 passes for only two touchdowns. Despite their difficulties, Albany's offense was bailed out thanks to a significant number of Columbus penalties that became drive extenders.
Led by first-time starter QB Marcus Jones, offensively the Lions played more of a smash mouth type of football something fans and more importantly Albany was not expecting. Columbus attempted 18 rushes while just 21 pass attempts with Jones finishing the night 12 of 19 passing for 192 yards and four touchdowns.
Towards mid-way through the 3rd quarter it appeared Albany was beginning to break away stretching the game to its largest lead at 23-13. But Columbus rallied scoring touchdowns on consecutive drives giving them a 27-23 lead with the second TD stretching into the early moments of the 4th quarter.
The always entertaining 4th quarter combined to see the clubs score five of the games eleven total touchdowns with the lead changing hands four different times. Lions WR Maurice Dupree was the offensive star of the night hauling in five receptions for 127 yards and three touchdowns.
With 1:00 minute remaining, Columbus had the ball in their hands with a chance for a go-ahead score but ultimately had to settle on a game-tying 18-yard field goal by Chandler Brooks. On that drive, starting QB Marcus Jones went down with an ankle injury and had to be relieved by Garrett Sutphen. Jones' injury will be looked at closely in the next couple of days but the upcoming two weeks rest will more than likely do him so good.
Columbus will have the next two weeks off before finally returning to action on Saturday April 6th in Huntsville, AL to take on the Alabama Hammers (2-0).
For more information, be sure to log on to www.columbuslions.net.
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from March 17, 2013
- Knoxville Nighthawks Lose Tough One to Lehigh Valley - Knoxville NightHawks
- Steelhawks Put on Show in Home Opener - Lehigh Valley Steelhawks
- Lions beat by Panthers - Columbus Lions
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