Lions Face Must Win Situation In Richmond
May 23, 2013 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
COLUMBUS, GA (May 22, 2013) - Down to what seems like their final breath, the Columbus Lions (3-5) of the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) face a must-win situation this Saturday when they hit the road to face the Richmond Raiders.
Hard to believe one month ago the Lions were riding high off a two-game winning streak with the ladder a come-from-behind 48-42 victory over the Raiders. Since that April 20th meeting both clubs have gone in different directions with Richmond going 2-1 while Columbus is in the mist of three-game losing streak.
"It's been a domino effect, one thing affecting another" says Columbus Lions Head Coach Jason Gibson. "We need to find that one piece that will stand up and stop the rest of us from falling."
In hopes of ailing a wounded club, the Lions made a couple of mid-week moves bringing in two veterans to help with both sides of the ball. OL Adam Durham (6'5 300 Jacksonville St.) will try and shore-up an offensive line that has been shaky over the past month while DB Ramone Nickerson (5'10 195, Tuskegee) will hopefully bring some much needed leadership on a defense that currently ranks last in total defense (296 yards allowed/game).
Columbus not only faces the tough task of ending their second three-game losing streak in franchise history, but they must do in a venue where the Raiders have gone a combined 10-1 over the past two seasons. Despite being one of the largest venues in the PIFL, the Richmond Coliseum is by far one of the loudest one which the Lions learned first-hand losing twice there last season.
In spite of being in second place and in control of their own playoff destiny, Richmond has a tough road ahead with trips to both Alabama and Albany looming after this weekend. Raiders will have to overcome last weekend's tough 68-66 double overtime loss to the Swashbucklers in which they blew a 13-point second half lead. QB Warren Smith threw for a Raiders-record 350 yards and seven touchdowns and was the first time since Week 4 he did not throw an interception.
Columbus on the other-hand new Columbus QB Lee Chapple made his debut last week and seemed to be on the run for majority of the night completing just 17 of 31 passes for 240 yards while throwing two interceptions in addition to being sacked four times.
WR Gerald Gales continues to appear like he stepped out of the Lazarus Pit catching double-digit touchdowns in three out of the last four games. In the last meeting vs. Richmond Gales hauled in a team-high eight catches for 120 yards and four touchdowns.
In that game one month ago, Columbus overcame a 15-point 4th quarter deficit scoring the final three touchdowns for a 48-42 come-from-behind victory. Smith and the Raiders failed to score on their final three possessions in addition to throwing only one touchdown.
Even though they have one of the league's best rush offenses, the Raiders employ of the most underrated wide receivers in the PIFL with Herb Jones. Jones, who has recorded a reception in 22 consecutive games tied for longest active streak in PIFL with Albany's Antwontis Cutts, has caught multi-touchdown passes in back-to-back games and is currently second in the league in receptions (65).
"It's ride or die time for us," continues Gibson. "We placed our backs to the wall and come Saturday we need to be ready to execute against a team that is well-coached as well as one that run or throw against us."
Kickoff on Saturday is at 7:00 PM, fans can catch the action by logging on to www.columbuslions.net and clicking on the Listen Live icon.
The team announced today that their Youth Summer Camp dates will run from July 30th - August 1st. To stay tuned on updates from the Lions, log on to their Facebook page.
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from May 23, 2013
- Raiders Sign Veteran Lineman Holman - Richmond Raiders
- Alabama at Louisiana Game to be Re-scheduled - PIFL
- Lions Face Must Win Situation In Richmond - Columbus Lions
- Round Three in Hawk Battle - Lehigh Valley Steelhawks
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