Lions Host Expansion Nighthawks In Home Opener
March 14, 2012 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
COLUMBUS, GA (March 14, 2012) - After losing their season opener this past weekend, the Columbus Lions (0-1) of the Professional Indoor Football League look to rebound when they play host to the expansion Knoxville Nighthawks (0-0) this Saturday at 7:30 PM.
"It was a tough opening loss," says Columbus Lions Head Coach Jason Gibson. "It's hard not looking back at the mistakes we made in Richmond, but it's also a credit considering the minimal amount of indoor experience some of our guys have."
Columbus was able to strike up some huge offensive numbers with quarterback Randy Hippeard passing for 298 yards in his starting debut, but when it came to coming up with a defensive stop the Lions seemed powerless losing 64-58.
Led behind quarterback Antwun Young and his 224 yards of total offense, Richmond controlled much of the game late in the 3rd Quarter and into the 4th with not only his arm but his feet rushing for a game-high 52 yards.
"You won't see too many indoor quarterbacks look to run before pass," continues Gibson. "Defensively we have to come up with better ways to defend against QB's like Young."
This week, the young Lions defense will have to contend with a quarterback who has loads of indoor/arena experience in Tony Colston (6'4 210, Tusculum). Assigned to the AFL's Pittsburgh Power last season, Colston instead spent the 2011 season playing quarterback in the Italian Football League after a successful four-year run with the late Tennessee Valley Vipers. In 2008, he scored the game-winning two-point conversion in overtime leading the Vipers to the Arena Cup Championship.
Despite the high numbers from the Columbus offense, a stagnant late 3rd and early 4th quarter saw their touchdown lead quickly erode to a 13 point deficit. After scoring in eight consecutive drives, the Lions offense hit a wall missing on two field goal attempts including one drive in which the Lions failed to score after reaching as far as the Raider 11-yard line.
"Even though we played an exceptional game on offense, we still left a number of points on the board," continues Gibson. "In a high-scoring game like last Saturday we can ill afford to leave points off the board."
The first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a magnetic schedule courtesy of TIC Federal Credit Union along with the first 1,000 receiving Thundersticks courtesy of Knology. With green beer and Irish food on-hand, come celebrate St. Patrick's Day as the Lions will also be wearing green jerseys and playing with green footballs.
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from March 14, 2012
- Lions Host Expansion Nighthawks In Home Opener - Columbus Lions
- Nighthawks Prepare for First Regular Season Game - Knoxville NightHawks
- Panthers Announce "Clear Channel Night" for Home Opener on March 17th - Albany Panthers
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