Lions Return To Jungle
Published on April 17, 2013 under Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
COLUMBUS, GA (April 17, 2013) - It's been a long wait, but come this Saturday the wait is no more as the Columbus Lions (2-2) of the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) return home to "The Jungle" to host the Richmond Raiders (3-1) on "Cancer Awareness Night."
Since the Lions last home game, seasons have practically changed which this time of year for Georgia residents means keeping up with the pollen count. It has been 41 days since they last hosted a home-game, Columbus defeated Knoxville 58-28 in the season's opening weekend, but Lions fans can now adjust to it being "Jungle Season" with the team back in their temperate home climate of the Columbus Civic Center for the next two weeks beginning this Saturday when they host arguably the hottest team in the PIFL and winners of three straight, the Richmond Raiders.
"They return majority of the same team that got them to the PIFL Championship game last season," says Columbus Lions Head Coach Jason Gibson. "They're a fundamental team that is well-coached and they have assets that force you to play a different type of indoor game."
Those assets consist of once again having one of the league's top offensive rushing attacks. What bodes well for Columbus is that their previous opponent, Louisiana, could prove to be a huge boost for the defense. Much like the Swashbucklers, the Raiders like to get their fullback involved in the running game with Mike Jones currently leading the PIFL in both rushing yards (40 yards/game) and touchdowns (9).
"It's a wrinkle that you have to account for when game planning against a team like Richmond," continues Gibson. "But in the end it's still a passing game and you still have to account for that too, darn if you do darn if don't kind of ordeal."
Richmond also once again boasts one of the top defenses having allowed just 24 touchdowns, second lowest through four games. Last weekend, DL Brandon Sutton notched 3.5 sacks and a blocked field in the Raiders 62-51 victory over Lehigh Valley earning him the Week 6 Defensive Player of the Week.
Columbus arrives having escaped Lake Charles with a victory by the skin of their teeth. Down by 14 late in the 3rd quarter, the Lions started one of their largest road comebacks in team history scoring 24 of the game's final 31 points to defeat the Swashbucklers 45-42. Young quarterback Marcus Jones helped eradicate three early interceptions by completing 7 of his last 11 pass attempts scoring a total of six touchdowns.
"Win's on the road in this league are hard to come by," says Gibson. "I think like only ten teams won road games last season, so I will take it and make sure the team works even harder this week because we we're really lucky to come out on top against Louisiana."
Like any football team this time of year, the club comes in a bit banged up. Both fullback Gerald Harris and linebacker Ryan Babb could miss Saturday's contest while another select few have some healable but nagging injuries.
Week 6 PIFL Offensive Player of the Week Maurice Dupree, who grabbed 15 receptions for 230 yards and four touchdowns in last Saturday's win, is dealing with a sore hand while defensive back Anthony Shutt has played the last two games with a cast on his hand.
"Injuries are a part of the game," once again says Gibson. "You either play through them or you have to sit it out and let someone else step up."
Kickoff is at 7:30 PM, but be sure to get their early to enter your name into the raffle of the commemorative team autographed pink helmet to be given out during the middle of the 3rd quarter.
For more information about "Cancer Awareness Night," be sure to log on to www.columbuslions.net and stay tuned to the Lions Facebook page as the team will be previewing the pink jersey's later on this week.
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from April 17, 2013
- Louisiana Swashbucklers to Meet Knoxville Nighthawks - Louisiana Swashbucklers
- Lions Return To Jungle - Columbus Lions
- Raiders Travel to Columbus Saturday - Richmond Raiders
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