Panthers Becoming Lion Tamers
Published on April 3, 2011 under Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
COLUMBUS, GA - In a Southern Division battle, the Albany Panthers (3-0) continued their trend of taming the defending champion Columbus Lions (2-1) behind a strong defensive showing in a 46-26 Panthers victory.
Now becoming an alarming trend, for the second consecutive week the Columbus Lions offense sputtered only this time the defense was unable to hold the club through a win as the offense only managed 126 total yards while the defense was incapable of collecting any turnovers for first time this season. In one of the lowest offensive outputs played by a Lions squad in club history, the Panthers defense held Columbus to just two offensive touchdowns while collecting two turnovers.
Saturday night was also one of the lowest offensive outputs for 2010 SIFL Offensive MVP and Lions quarterback Chris McCoy as he managed to only complete 17 of 31 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns. Strong secondary play from veterans Demetrie McCray and Levance Richmond, who added a 30-yard interception return for touchdown late in the fourth quarter, really helped spark an Albany defense that held Columbus stagnant all night and just 2 of 8 on third down conversions.
Late in the second quarter, it appeared the Lions gained some momentum with a 16-10 thanks in large part to a 58-yard kickoff return by Anthony Merritt. But two late stops inside their own five-yard line, including a safety, really began the downfall for a Columbus offense that really would remain inept for majority of the night.
It seemed as if the game was heading for a defensive slugfest, but mid-way through the third quarter the Panthers offense began to wake up scoring their first of four consecutive touchdown drives with a Cecil Lester 23-yard hook-up with John Harris. Lester finished Saturday's contest completing 23 of 39 passes for 240 yards and five touchdowns. Harris was the beneficiary of many of those touchdown passes hauling in three of Lester's five touchdowns.
The defending champion Lions will look to rebound next week when they head back on the road to take on the Fayetteville Force (2-0). Fans can tune into next Saturday's game by logging on to www.columbuslions.net and clicking on the listen live icon.
Southern Indoor Football League Stories from April 3, 2011
- Raiders top Stampede - Richmond Raiders
- Panthers Becoming Lion Tamers - Columbus Lions
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