Lions Issue Carolina Speeding Fine In 74-61 Victory
May 2, 2011 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
COLUMBUS, GA (May 2, 2011) - Before the world was rocked by the news of the death of Osama Bin laden, the defending SIFL Champion Columbus Lions (6-1) were knotted in a barn-burner of a game that featured ties on three different occasions avoiding a possible speed bump in a 71-64 victory over the Carolina Speed (1-5) on Sunday night.
"Being near a military base, you hear a lot of stories of not just 9/11 but the events that have been triggered since the attacks on both New York City and the Pentagon," says Columbus Lions Head Coach Jason Gibson. "Even though we just finished an amazing game for a huge win, kind of gets put on the back-burner as the world and the War on Terror got an even bigger win."
Despite never trailing in the game, Columbus found themselves in a dog-fight as Carolina never trailed by more than 14 and tied the game on three separated occasions in the 3rd quarter alone. Both clubs passing attacks were hitting on all cylinders and it was the kind of game that was going to be decided by which defense would come up with one more stop.
After going up six on the very first play of the 4th quarter, the Lions defensive came up with that necessary stop on an interception by Ramone Nickerson. After two late interceptions in the 2nd quarter, the Columbus offense was a perfect 7 of 7 on drives including the drive following Nickerson interception putting them back ahead 13.
Both clubs would tack on two more touchdowns a piece but only way you could look at the score is 3-2, as in three defensive stops by the Columbus defense versus two from the Carolina defense. On the very first drive of the game the Lions defense stuffed the Speed rushing attack on four straight run plays inside the red-zone along with two interceptions, the one by Nickerson and another for Damian "The Nighthawk" Daniels in the 1st quarter.
Led by wide receiver Gerald Gales and his five touchdown grabs, the Columbus continued their recent offensive onslaught scoring 74 or more points for the third consecutive week. Anthony Merritt continued his all-around play scoring four total touchdowns, two receiving, one rushing, and one passing with quarterback Chris McCoy throwing for over 300 yards while spreading the ball between five different receivers.
For post-game interviews featuring head coach Jason Gibson and linebacker Justen Rivers, log on to www.columbuslions.net and view the Lions TV and get their thoughts following Saturday's tough win in Charlotte.
Columbus will be back in action this upcoming Saturday night May 7th when they host a reeling Fayetteville Force (3-4) club, losers of four straight. It will be "Cancer Awareness Night" brought to you by the John B. Amos Cancer Center along the Lions donning some special jersey's which will be auctioned off immediately following the Saturday's game.
For more information about Saturday's game and auction, stay tuned to www.columbuslions.net or call the front office at 706-322-3336.
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Southern Indoor Football League Stories from May 2, 2011
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