Raiders Nip Lions 64 To 58
March 10, 2012 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Richmond Raiders News Release
The Columbus Lions and the Richmond Raiders put on quite a show for the home team crowd of 3,243 in the league opener of the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) at the Richmond Coliseum Saturday night. Perhaps it was an omen that Richmond kicker J.C. Stevens, who played college ball at Division III Hampden-Sydney, began the night with an uno on the opening kickoff. This was followed on the next play by a fumbled snap that left the Lions with second and long on their own two-yard line.
After a failed field goal attempt by the Lions the Raiders took the ball down the field and in for a score on a ten yard pass from quarterback Antwon Young, a second-year player out of Villanova, to wide receiver Jason Lovett from the University of Virginia - Wise. From that point the game seesawed back and forth for the entire evening as 122 points were scored between the two teams.
The spirited, high level of play by both teams throughout the evening kept the crowd enthralled as the Lions fell behind but pulled within six points of the Raiders with less than a minute to go. After a failed on-side kick, the Raiders ran out the clock with a series of running plays.
Newcomer Randy Hippeard of the Lions completed 25 passes on 42 attempts for a total of 298 years. Gerald Gales led the Lions in receptions with ten catches for 161 yards and two touchdowns. Anton Merritt led the Lions in tackles with five unassisted and two assists. Second year quarterback Antwon Young of the Raiders completed 16 passes on 28 attempts for 172 years and five touchdowns. He also carried the ball nine times for 54 yards. Antwun Young led the Raiders in receptions with five catches for 96 yards. Maurice Thorne, a second-year player out of North Carolina Wesleyan, led the Raiders in tackles with seven unassisted and one assist.
The Raiders go on the road to take on the Albany Panthers on March 17. The Lions take on the Knoxville Nighthawks at home.
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from March 10, 2012
- Raiders Nip Lions 64 To 58 - Richmond Raiders
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