Lions Complete Sweep Of Hammers, Setting Up Showdown With Panthers
Published on May 26, 2011 under Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
COLUMBUS, GA (May 26, 2011) - After overcoming a sluggish start, the SIFL Defending Champion Columbus Lions (9-1) scored 41 second half points to complete the sweep of the Alabama Hammers (3-7) half to complete the season sweep with a 62-27 victory to setting up a showdown with the Albany Panthers on June 4th.
Columbus started their final stretch of their championship defense with a sluggish offensive start only scoring 21 first half points. Wide receiver Gerald Gales added to his team high in touchdown reception (14) with another three grabs with two coming in the opening half. Columbus was able to take a 21-14 halftime lead in large part to the defense stopping Alabama at the two-yard line as the finals second of the half ticked off.
Defense continued the surge as on the first play of the second half Anthony Merritt, who was subbing for an injured Guesly Dervil, intercepted a Matthew Martin pass and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown. Merritt also added another passing touchdown for his third touchdown pass of the year.
It was really a second half shutdown by the Lions defense as the gang finished with seven sacks and two turnovers. Defensive back Damian Daniels improved his league-high interception total to 11 when he grabbed his 68 career INT back in the 1st quarter. Linebacker Leon Foster notched two sacks including a safety as well as defensive lineman Chris Bradwell grabbing two sacks.
Despite missing quarterback Kevin Eakin, first-time starter Matthew Martin kept the Hammers in it early with three touchdown passes with two going to Germico McSwain and one to Maurice Dupree. But the main difference was the constant pressure up-front caused by the Lions front four as both Martin and back-up Phellepe Hall were forced to throw many errant passes.
With the win, Columbus keeps a share of the first place lead setting up a possible southern division first place showdown against the Albany Panthers (8-1) on June 4th. First, Albany must travel to Richmond (4-5) this Saturday night to maintain their share of first place.
Southern Indoor Football League Stories from May 26, 2011
- Lions Complete Sweep Of Hammers, Setting Up Showdown With Panthers - Columbus Lions
- Hammers Drop 62-27 Decision at Columbus - Alabama Hammers
- SIFL Thursday Capsules - SIFL
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