Lions Looking To Bounce Back Against Force
Published on April 8, 2011 under Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
COLUMBUS, GA (April 7, 2011) - After suffering their first loss of the season, the defending champion Columbus Lions (2-1) will look to bounce back as they travel to take on the Fayetteville Force (3-0) this Saturday night.
For the Lions, the past two weeks have been a bit of an offensive struggle with the club skating by with an average of 173 yards in both games. Much of the blame could be shouldered on the offense's inability convert on third downs (30%) along with having the lowest average time of possession (24:53) in the SIFL. Issues on the offensive line have also led to some offensive struggles as another offensive lineman will be making his Lions debut for the second consecutive week, this week it's Isaiah Thomas (6'2 330, North Carolina).
Also, the Columbus receiving corps was once a strong point has now grown some question marks over the past couple of weeks. Couple of weeks ago, the club decided to part ways with wide receiver Tirone Morris in a trade with Erie with expectations that his replacement Maurice Dupree would fill the void. But with a sudden family emergency, the defending champs have had to spring others into action in hopes of filling in. Last week, Brandon Horace (6'4 225, Alabama State) got the chance grabbing three receptions and this week Deleon Hollinger (5'11 185, Savannah State) will make his Lions debut.
Once again, the Lions defense has been the strong point holding opponents to just an average of 193 yards per/game along with 32 points per/game, third in the SIFL. Three-time Defensive MVP Damian Daniels has a league-high five interceptions while linebacker Justen Rivers is second in sacks with five.
This week, the Columbus defense could have their hands full as Fayetteville Force quarterback Lamar Little is one of the biggest all-around threats featured in the SIFL. Little accounts for 243 yards of Fayetteville's total offense per game scoring a combine 19 total touchdowns. The Force vaunt the SIFL's top rushing attack (69 yards/game) along with a league-high 3rd down conversion rate (50%).
In the past, predominately rushing squads have proven to cause fits for the Lions defense and this week they will be without top defenders Franklin Lloyd and Ryan Babb. Instead, defensive lineman Tez Doolittle (6'2 275, Auburn) will be making his Lions debut hoping to stuff the run gaps of the Force offense.
Saturday's match-up is the first meeting between these clubs, but not the first when it comes to the two cities. Formally known as the Fayetteville Guard (2003-09), the Force are currently in their inaugural season as this match-up was previously dubbed Fort Benning versus Fort Bragg as the two organizations are located near two of the largest army bases in the United States. The clubs previously met six times with the Lions holding a 5-1 edge with the last meeting coming back in the 2009 divisional playoffs with Columbus winning 45-36.
With kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m., fans can tune into Saturday's game by logging on to www.columbuslions.net and friends of the Lions Facebook page can chat with the broadcasters simultaneously and get live game updates.
Southern Indoor Football League Stories from April 8, 2011
- Carolina Speed Stall Harrisburg Stampede 51-36 - Harrisburg Stampede
- FirstMates Personal Appearance - Louisiana Swashbucklers
- Erie Explosion Host Trenton Steel in Home Opener on Saturday, April 9 - Erie Explosion
- Lions Looking To Bounce Back Against Force - Columbus Lions
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