Lions, Panthers Set For Second Showdown
Published on June 4, 2010 under Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
COLUMBUS, GA (JUNE 4, 2010) - As teams begin to jockey for playoff positioning, the Southern Indoor Football League's top two teams in the Albany Panthers (6-1) and the Columbus Lions (5-2) start of the final month with the first of two matchups in June. After suffering their second blemish of the season last weekend against the Bucs, the Lions return to Columbus for their first home game since April 24th. In that time, the Lions captured the SIFL's only two road wins going 2-1 for the month of May. Even though the road stretch ended in a 51-31 loss to the Swashbucklers, Columbus holds their own playoff destiny with three of the final four games on the schedule all taking place in the Columbus Civic Center, a place where the Lions have won 11 consecutive regular season home games. The final stretch will begin with Columbus getting the chance to exact some revenge from their first previous loss coming by the hands of the first place Albany Panthers. The Panthers are in the beginning stages of grueling stretch closing out the season with all four of their final games coming on the road. The stretch begins this Saturday when Albany and Columbus hookup for the first time since the Panthers shut the Lions down back on April 3rd. In that win, the Panthers rolled out 315 yards of total offense with the Lions offense struggling for the first three quarters before finally awaking to score 30 points in the final period. Columbus would be too late as Albany quarterback Cecil Lester iced the game with his six passing touchdowns with three going to receiver Clenton Rafe.
"Since it was their inaugural game, we really went into that game blind as to what type of offense Albany was planning to run," says Columbus Lions Head Coach Jason Gibson. "It took us almost three quarters to figure out their defense but now we feel more comfortable when looking ahead to Saturday compared to that first game." Since that win, Albany has gained control of the SIFL taking all over their home games including last weekend's 71-6 demolishing of the Greenville Force. After missing the previous two weeks, quarterback Cecil Lester returned to form completing 15 of 23 passes for 216 yards and six touchdowns. Defensive lineman James Harris recovered two fumbles for a touchdown earning him the SIFL's Defensive Player of the Week. In the Panthers last four wins, the defense has only surrendered 80 points.
Despite not being able to stop the Bucs consecutive home-winning streak, the Lions offense continued to thrive with Chris McCoy under center. After completing 27 of 44 passes, including hooking up with receiver Tirone Morris for an SIFL record 16 times, McCoy leads all passers with over a 100 pass attempts in passing with a 62.9 completion percentage.
Saturday June 5th is "Cancer Awareness Night" and as gates open at 6:30 p.m. the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a free pink t-shirt and the Lions will be donning pink jersey's which will be auctioned off immediately following the game. Also, Super Bowl MVP Richard Dent of the Chicago Bears will be attendance so be sure to stop by the All Points Connect concourse table located the Alabama side of the Columbus Civic Center.
For more information contact the Lion's front office at 706-322-3336.
Southern Indoor Football League Stories from June 4, 2010
- Join Us And Come Meet Super Bowl MVP Richard Dent - Columbus Lions
- Lions, Panthers Set For Second Showdown - Columbus Lions
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