Lions Remain Perfect at Home with Win over 'Hawks
June 1, 2014 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Columbus Lions of the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) defeated the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks 54-42 last night to move back to .500 on the season at 4-4. The win kept the Lions' record inside their home turf at the Jungle spotless at 4-0 with two huge intraconference home games looming in the next two weeks.
Quarterback Chris McCoy was pressed into action as the lone true QB on the roster after Danny O'Brien, signed earlier in the week by the team, made a surprise move in signing with the expansion Ottawa Red Blacks of the Canadian Football League. McCoy picked up his first win of the season as a starter, going an efficient 12 for 23 passing for 155 yards and three touchdowns. After a three-interception outing in his last start on May 24 at Nashville, McCoy only threw one INT in Saturday's contest. For the second straight week, Jarmon Fortson led the way on offense for Columbus and was again the team's Offensive Player of the Game. All three of McCoy's touchdown passes went to Fortson, who finished with six catches for 48 yards to lead all receivers. PIFL leading rusher Kendrick Perry, after failing to find the end zone for the first time all season last week against the Venom, was reunited with the end zone twice on Saturday night with a pair of touchdown runs and a whopping 21 rushes for 88 yards.
On the defensive side of the ball, DB Marvin Ross earned the Defensive Player of the Game nod for forcing and recovering a fumble and picking up a key interception late in the fourth quarter and returning it 34 yards to effectively ice the game for the Lions. Roshawn Marshall also picked up an INT in the contest, while Kendrick Washington led all Lions with seven tackles on the night. Columbus also picked up four sacks on the night, with Ryan Babb, Rodney Gnat, Justen Rivers, and Jerry Willis all picking up a sack each. Craig Camay was the Special Teams Player of the Game with two key field goals of 26 and 27 yards, an uno, and 4 for 6 on extra point attempts.
Two home games remain for the Lions in the month of June, and both are huge games that could shape the playoff picture in the PIFL. The Lions will face the surging Alabama Hammers, winners of three straight pending the outcome of their game in Nashville on Monday night, at home on Saturday, June 7.
The Famous San Diego Chicken will be in attendance for that game that will surely be fun for the entire family in addition to the thrilling matchup on the field. Columbus closes out their home schedule on June 14 with a matchup against the conference-leading Nashville Venom. Tickets for both games are still available. For more information, contact the Lions at 706.322.3336 or visit www.columbuslions.net.
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from June 1, 2014
- Raiders Douse Fire, 72-53 - Richmond Raiders
- Richmond Brings The Heat To Georgia - Georgia Fire
- Steelhawks Fall to Lions - Lehigh Valley Steelhawks
- Lions Remain Perfect at Home with Win over 'Hawks - Columbus Lions
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