Offense Looking To Build Off Last Week's Second Half
April 15, 2011 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
COLUMBUS, GA (April 15, 2011) - Coming off their 29-28 thrilling last second win from last weekend, the Defending Champion Columbus Lions (3-1) look to build some offensive stride as they play host to the Mobile Bay Tarpons (2-2) on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.
Despite only scoring on one possession in the first half, the Lions made the most of their four second half possessions finishing off a 16 point comeback with a 27-yard game-winning field goal by kicker Trey Crum. Big part of last week's comeback was the 360 reversal from the offense led behind the arm of quarterback Chris McCoy finishing 19 of 32 passing for 214 yards and three touchdowns.
Thanks to some reshuffling of the schedule, the Tarpons step in after the Lafayette Wildcatters were forced to close operations for the 2011 season. After starting out their inaugural season hot with a 2-0 record, Mobile comes into Saturday losers of two straight in which they were outscored 132-50 in losses to the Abilene Ruff Riders and Louisiana Swashbucklers. Even though they passed for a combined 436 yards in their last two contests, Tarpons quarterbacks are only completing 39.7% of their passes lowest of any team in the SIFL.
This Saturday, the Columbus Lions gets a big offensive boost with the re-signing of offensive lineman Dion Small (6'3 330, Troy) and Arthur Smith (6'7 380, Grambling). Small began the season with the AFL's Georgia Force and Smith will be making his third go-round with the Lions. In spite of only allowing four sacks on the season, Columbus ranks in the bottom half in red zone offense (63.2 %) and tied for last in rushing offense (0.6 yards/carry).
"Last Saturday was a huge momentum swing for our offense," says Columbus Lions Head Coach Jason Gibson. "Veterans lead and our veterans stepped up huge, we really had a great week of practice and I expect big things from our offense on Saturday."
Fans should be sure to get to the arena early as the Lions and Columbus State University Theatre Department present the children's play "Charlotte's Web" at 5:30 p.m.
Set to take place outside in the courtyard between the Columbus Civic Center and the newly constructed ice rink next door, fans are welcome to attend this family free event by bringing their own lawn chairs, or blankets to sit for viewing.ÃÂ CSU's children's play "Charlotte's Web" will last one hour give all attendees plenty of time to journey into the Civic Center for the 7:30 p.m. for the SIFL contest between the Lions and Tarpons.
For more information regarding all the events surrounding Saturday's game between the Tarpons and Lions, contact the Lions front office at 706-322-3336.
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Southern Indoor Football League Stories from April 15, 2011
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