Lions Hope To Fill Voids With Three Newcomers
January 8, 2010 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
COLUMBUS, GA (January 8, 2010) - With huge voids left with the loss of Offensive Lineman Branden Hall and Fullback Richard Fitzhugh, the Columbus Lions of the Southern Indoor Football League didn't have to look far to replace one while another came from a reference of another newly signed player.
Having the task of replacing an All-AIFA 1st Team OL in Hall, who signed with the AF1 Spokane Shock, is another former Trojan in Dion Small (6'3 330, Troy). Hailing from nearby Americus, GA where he went to JUCO Georgia Military College before transferring to Troy University, the two-time All-Sun Belt selection led the Trojans in 2007 with 59 knockdown blocks in 980 snaps. That season, he was penalized twice while only allowing just a ½ sack. His play earned him honors on the 2008 Rotary Lombardi Award watch list with the likes of future of NFL pro's like Michael Oher (Ravens), Eric Wood (Bills), and Rey Maualuga (Bengals).
Clifford Harris (5'8 220, Duke) has the daunting task of replacing Fitzhugh's 17 rushing touchdowns from 09. In 43 career games as a Blue Devil, Harris compiled 191 rushing attempts for 705 yards, 30 receptions for 288 yards, and seven total touchdowns. Clifford also collected one passing touchdown completing it to current Lions wide receiver Raphael Chustnutt against North Carolina.
Steven Jackson (5'10 190, Fort Valley St) hopes to add to a 2009 Lions defensive secondary that only allowed 160 yards per game and led the league with 53 total takeaways. In 2007, Jackson led the SIAC in interceptions with seven while finishing with 27 tackles (19 solo), and five pass break-ups. A three-time collegiate track All-American, Steven earned the Wildcats Male Athlete of Year (07-08) for his efforts in track and football. Last January, Jackson was apart of the 2009 Valero Cactus Bowl, which hosts a load of NCAA Division II seniors.
"Each year the pool of quality players to choose from becomes greater and greater," says Lions Head Coach Jason Gibson. "The assignment of finding talent each season gets easier while the task of letting players go gets even harder."
The Columbus Lions last tryout, was set to be conducted this weekend in Orlando, FL, has been cancelled due to the poor playing surface in the Citrus Bowl from all the bowl games that took place from previous weeks. For those players that were planning on attending the open tryout, a final tryout is being reviewed and they should contact the Lions front office immediately at 706-322-3336 or by email at jeff@columbuslions.net to discuss alternate arrangements.
For more information about this and much more from around the SIFL, visit www.southernifl.com.
Southern Indoor Football League Stories from January 8, 2010
- Swashbucklers Make Indoor Football History - Louisiana Swashbucklers
- McAfee Takes The Helm As Head Coach - Louisiana Swashbucklers
- Lions Hope To Fill Voids With Three Newcomers - Columbus Lions
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