Seven Others Looking To Knock Lions Off
June 15, 2011 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
COLUMBUS, GA (June 15, 2011) - As the fourth seeded Trenton Steel (7-4) make their way to the Peach State, awaiting them will be a hungry Columbus Lions (11-1) ready to show the other six members of the SIFL that taking the championship will be no easy task.
Combining to bring in almost 6,000 fans for their last two games, the Columbus Lions greeted the most fans in back-to-back games in franchise history. That's something that hasn't gone un-noticed by any of the players or coaches. "I was expecting a big crowd for Albany, but that last home game was a real jolt of surprise," says Columbus Lions Head Coach Jason Gibson. "It's just vindictive of how hard our players and all members of our organization have worked over the past month."
That success is big reason for optimism for a carryover to this weekend's matchup against the Trenton Steel. Crowd noise could prove to be difficult for a Steel squad that has played in opposing venue's that barely have 1,000 fans in the seats. Thanks to the noise from their fans, Columbus has comprised an overall home record of 13-1 over the past two years including two playoff wins last season.
After a 0-3 start to the season, Trenton rallied to close out the year winners of eight of their last nine games and is playing as well as any club in the SIFL. The Steel are coming off an impressive 55-22 victory over Harrisburg in which the club shut out the Stampede in the second half.
Big reason for that turnaround has been the play of quarterback E.J. Nemeth and his 70 passing touchdowns along with a league-leading 27 rushing touchdowns leading the Steel to the number two scoring offense (69.4 points/game).
"It's great to play the second season," says Trenton Steel Head Coach Rod Miller. "Columbus is an excellent team, with good athletes and good coaching. Plus they are the (SIFL) defending champions."
In other league action, out west in which only one team did not make the playoffs, the third-seeded Corpus Christi Hammerheads (7-5) travel to take on the second-seeded Louisiana Swashbucklers (8-4). Louisiana is trying to make their fifth consecutive trip to a championship game while the Hammerheads look to ride the momentum of a three-game winning streak including a 62-51 victory over the Bucs back on June 5th.
The undefeated a top-seeded Houston Stallions (11-0) play host to the fourth-seeded Rio Grande Valley Magic (6-6). After not having a place to call home for the first half of the season, the Stallions closed out the year with a two-point win in Louisiana, just the second team to beat the Bucs on their own turf. Rio Grande sneaks into the playoffs with a current three-game winning streak. After Houston swept Rio Grande in three games, it will be the first time the two squads have faced off since April 16th.
Back in the east, the second-seeded Albany Panthers (10-2) host the SIFL's top scoring offense in the third-seeded Erie Explosion (9-3). Albany comes into the playoffs looking to correct their mistakes from a season ago in which the Panthers were the top-seed but ultimately fell in the opening round to the Swashbucklers. After starting out the season 7-0, that once vaunting Panthers defense has gone from allowing just 35.0 points per game to giving up 56.2 in their last five.
Erie could arguably have the most explosive quarterback-wide receiver tandem in Adam DiMchele and Kevin Concepcion. Already a favorite to land the SIFL's Offensive MVP, DiMichele has thrown for 3, 247 yards and 91 touchdowns, with 46 of those landing in the hands of Concepcion.
With exception of Houston/Rio Grande taking place on Monday, the other two matchups take place on Saturday night.
Second round will begin on the following weekend with championship weekend set to take place during July 4th weekend.
For tickets to this Saturday's game versus the defending champion Columbus Lions and the Trenton Steel, contact the front office at 706-322-3336 or visit them on the web at www.columbuslions.net. On for those that can't make it, be sure to follow all the score up-dates via the Columbus Lions Facebook page.
Southern Indoor Football League Stories from June 15, 2011
- Swashbucklers to Meet Hammerheads in Playoffs - Louisiana Swashbucklers
- Seven Others Looking To Knock Lions Off - Columbus Lions
- SIFL Names Players of the Week - SIFL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
