Lions Looking to Get Back on Track against Hammers
April 23, 2015 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
COLUMBUS, GA (April 22, 2015) - Following their first loss of the season, the Columbus Lions (3-1) of the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) host the Alabama Hammers (3-1) this Saturday night for "Military Appreciation Night" with the loser no longer being in first place.
Losing is never easy, losing in the final seconds of a football game can be even worse. Despite matching their best start in franchise history, Columbus knows all too well that losses like last week's 58-55 decision to Nashville can either make or break your season.
"We let one slip through our fingertips," says Head Coach Jason Gibson. "We had the champs on the ropes and could provide the final knockout, but that's why they are the defending champs and everyone else is chasing them."
Accounting for five turnovers in their loss to the Venom, Lions QB Casey Kacz will look to return to the form that earned him a PIFL Player of the Week nod as well as an honorable mention in separate weeks. Despite the turnover barrage last week, in three games Kacz still leads the league in total offense accounting for 314 yards/game.
Through four games the Lions defense has allowed two 300-yard passing performances by opposing quarterbacks, including a PIFL All-time single-game high 410 yards to Nashville's Charles McCullum last week. Last in total defense, Columbus is allowing over 318 yards/game with quarterbacks averaging 6.7 yards/attempt.
Alabama enters Saturday's game on a two-game winning streak propelling them into a three-way first place tie with Columbus and Lehigh Valley (3-1). Last week in a non-league game, the Hammers defeated the Saginaw Sting (AIF) 55-40.
Led by rookie Head Coach Scott Sharpe, the Hammers are only one win shy of matching their win total from a season ago. Two of their wins came against Nashville, games in which the score doesn't indicate it but they surely showed moments of dominance including at one point holding a 19-point 4th quarter lead over the Venom two weeks ago.
Alabama's offense is directed by former Lions QB Garrett Sutphen who back in 2013 earned the starting position under center out of training camp. In his one start he led Columbus to season-opening victory but was ultimately replaced beginning the round robin string of four different starting quarterbacks that season. Through four games this season, he has completed just below 50% of his passes for 1,069 yards and 22 TD's.
Saturday is "Military Appreciation Night" with special members from nearby Fort Benning in attendance. Fans should also stop by www.columbuslions.net/solider-salute to nominate the USAA Solider of the Night. Chosen for every home game, the winner receives four VIP tickets, VIP Parking Pass, as well as pre-game field access. Kickoff is 7:00 PM and military members along with their family members can get upper level tickets for as low as $5 with a military ID at the Civic Center Box Office. For more information contact the Lions front office at 706-322-3336 and to see where the team will visit next in the community you can follow the club on Facebook and Twitter.
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Professional Indoor Football League Stories from April 23, 2015
- Hammers Travel To Columbus For Game 5 - Alabama Hammers
- Steelhawks 2015 First Quarter Report - Lehigh Valley Steelhawks
- Lions Looking to Get Back on Track against Hammers - Columbus Lions
- Venom Glad to be Back Home - Nashville Venom
- Last Minute Touchdown Dooms Raiders - Richmond Raiders
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