Lions Offensive Onslaught Resumes In Win Over Bama
April 22, 2011 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
COLUMBUS, GA (APRIL 22, 2011) - Despite throwing a season-high four interceptions, the Defending Champion Columbus Lions (5-1) picked up right where they left off last week with a 80-55 road victory in Huntsville, AL over the Alabama Hammers (0-5) on Thursday night.
Columbus offense is officially a force to be reckoned with as they managed to put up 186 points in their last two games, matching their point total from the first four games of the season. On Thursday, the offense seemed to hit the Hammers defense from all sorts of different ways whether it was the short or long pass plays or via the ground game as the Lions offense racked up 334 total yards.
2010 Offensive MVP Chris McCoy finished Thursday's game completing 20 of 30 passes for 227 yards and six touchdowns along with three rushing scores as Columbus only trailed Alabama once during the contest. Josh Smith was once again the top beneficiary of McCoy's passing touches grabbing three this week giving him seven in a two week span.
At one point towards mid-way in the 2nd quarter, the Lions were up by as many as 22 before Alabama began to stage a comeback thanks in large part to the play of former Lion and wide receiver Maurice Dupree. A once dormant passing offense, the Hammers began finding space in the Columbus defensive secondary as Dupree unleashed for 11 receptions 181 yards and four touchdowns helping get Alabama back within one mid-way through the 3rd quarter.
After going scoreless for practically an entire quarter, the Lions only found themselves up 36-35 when Anthony Merritt grabbed a 30-yard touchdown pass after bouncing off the wall to haul down the reception. Columbus closed out the game scoring touchdowns on six of their last seven drives.
Defensively, it was not the Lions best game but when needed they came up with the stops holding Alabama to 2 of 10 on third down conversions and 1 of 4 on fourth down. Defensive back Damian Daniels added another interception to his league-leading total (8) while special teams blocked three Kenny Spencer field goals with one returned for a touchdown by Guesly Dervil. 2010 Special Teams Player of the Year Trey Crum pitched in with four Uno's giving him eight in the past two weeks alone.
Columbus will get the chance to enjoy Easter Weekend before heading back out on the road to take on the Carolina Speed (1-4) on Sunday May 1st at 5:00 p.m. EST. Fans can tune into all the action by logging on to www.columbuslions.net and clicking on the Listen Live icon.
Also be sure to stop columbuslions.net to check out Lions TV featuring post-game interviews from Thursday with both head coach Jason Gibson and wide receiver Gerald Gales.
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Southern Indoor Football League Stories from April 22, 2011
- 4-1 Raiders & Explosion Face Off In Erie - Richmond Raiders
- Lions Offensive Onslaught Resumes In Win Over Bama - Columbus Lions
- SIFL Week 6 Game Capsules - SIFL
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