Lions Secure Playoff Berth With Win Over Hammers
Published on June 21, 2014 under Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The Columbus Lions of the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) picked up their first road win of the 2014 season at a very opportune time and in convincing fashion, defeating the Alabama Hammers 69-31 to clinch a spot in the PIFL semifinal game at Nashville on July 5. The win gives the Lions a 6-5 record and eliminates the Hammers and Georgia Fire from playoff contention.
Columbus jumped on the Hammers early and often, building a 28-3 lead in the game's first 17 minutes. Leroy Vann scored on a five-yard touchdown run to open the scoring just two minutes into the game for Columbus, with Jarmon Fortson picking up an 18-yard touchdown reception from starter Luke Halpin and Vann scoring another rushing touchdown from 11 yards out to give the Lions a 21-3 lead after one quarter of play.
Alabama quarterback Russell Hill threw an interception to Damian Daniels early in the second quarter, and the "Nighthawk" returned the ball 42 yards for a pick-six and a 28-3 advantage. After two unanswered touchdowns by the Hammers, kicker Craig Camay nailed a 19-yard field goal and the first of a whopping six unos on the night to give Columbus a 32-17 lead heading into the locker room at the half.
The Lions scored 14 unanswered points a variety of ways to open the third quarter and effectively ice the game. Craig Camay, easily the Lions' Special Teams Player of the Game, had his best game of the season, kicking a 38-yard field goal and tacking on two more unos in that stretch. The Lions' defense also came up big with a safety, while Fortson collected his second TD reception of the night as well. Mico McSwain answered with a TD catch of his own for Alabama before Fortson's third touchdown reception of the night gave the Lions a 53-24 lead heading into the final quarter of play.
In the fourth quarter, Camay kicked three of his six unos in the game while Luke Halpin called his own number on a one-yard scamper into the end zone for a touchdown and Roshawn "The Ball Hawk" Marshall collected a pick-six of his own. Daniels and Marshall each finished with two INTs each and Marvin Ross had a pick of his own, with Hill throwing an uncharacteristic five interceptions for the Hammers. Daniels eked out Marshall for the Defensive Player of the Game with career interceptions #103 and #104 for 49 yards in all and a touchdown.
Fortson was the Lions' Offensive Player of the Game, picking up 125 receiving yards off seven catches, three for touchdowns. Former FSU wide receiver Chris Davis, playing in his second game for Columbus, had six receptions on the night for 75 yards. Halpin finished the game 18-of-28 passing for 235 yards for three touchdowns and no interceptions.
The game locks the Lions into a date at Nashville on July 5 at 8 PM EDT for a chance to play the National Conference champion for the PIFL championship. Before that game, however, the Lions will head to Rome, Ga. to face the intrastate rival Georgia Fire in the last regular season game on Friday night at 7:30 PM EDT.
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from June 21, 2014
- Raiders Fall to Venom - Richmond Raiders
- Fire Withstand Second-Half Fury From Freedom, Win 52-49 - PIFL
- Lions Secure Playoff Berth With Win Over Hammers - Columbus Lions
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