Lions Roar Past Force, 72-41
Published on May 16, 2010 under Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
GREENVILLE, SC (May 15, 2010) - Saturday night, the Columbus Lions (5-1) of the Southern Indoor Football League captured their second straight road win and fourth consecutive by winning 72-41 over the Greenville Force (2-4).
Coming out of the ordinary, the Lions started Saturday's contest hot winning the toss and electing to receive the opening kickoff. The offense responded with a six-play drive that ended on an Anthony Merritt one-yard touchdown run. That high wave of offensive momentum carried the club throughout much of the 1st half as the Columbus offense had staked them to an early 31-14 lead.
But like most good home teams, Greenville rode a wave of their own and the Lions energy was put a standstill as the Force scored two touchdowns in the final minute of the 1st half cutting their deficit down to three heading into the break. Back-up quarterback Mark Logan got the start for the Force due to starter Andrew Webb sitting out with an injury. Despite the amount of pressure he was under from the Lions defensive front, Logan made some early huge plays in the early half to keep Greenville within striking distance of Columbus.
All that changed as the defense got five consecutive stops to open the half including two fumble recoveries by defensive lineman Tremaine Jehovah. Almost six minutes had passed before the Lions offense touched the field and the defense along with special teams staked them to 12-point lead. The stingy play of the Lions defense persisted on for the entire night collecting six turnovers including two interceptions by defensive back Damian Daniels.
Columbus scored 27 straight points to open the 2nd half and Greenville didn't score until around the 12:00 mark of the 4th quarter. Force wide receiver Willie Idelette followed up a lightning 1st half of four receptions for 101 yards with a shut out in the 2nd half while his teammate Isaac West was also held in check as he only grabbed three receptions for 44 yards and one touchdown.
Lion's quarterback Chris McCoy continued to pick a part opposing defenses completing 24 of 38 passes for 351 yards and seven touchdowns. Both wide receivers Tirone Morris and Preston McGann reached the century mark in yards with Morris gather eight receptions for 132 yards with one score while McGann grabbed six receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns.
The third major facet of the game also persisted to be major differences in the Lions favor with kicker Trey Crum notching 16 points on the evening. Crum added three more uno's, bringing his league-leading total to 14 while also connecting on six of nine PAT's, and two field goals giving him 16 points on Saturday.
Columbus and Greenville have heading in different directions in the past month with the Force losing four consecutive games while the Lions have won four consecutive games. Columbus will return to action on May 29th when they travel to Lake Charles, LA to take on the defending Louisiana Swashbucklers (2-4) while the Force will hit the road for a Monday night primetime battle against the Lafayette Wildcatters on May 24th.
To track all the action of the Southern Indoor Football League, log on to www.southernifl.com.
Southern Indoor Football League Stories from May 16, 2010
- Bucs Given No Parlay In Panthers Defeat - Albany Panthers
- Lions Roar Past Force, 72-41 - Columbus Lions
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