Venom Shed Lions Despite Furious Fourth Quarter Comeback Attempt
May 25, 2014 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Columbus Lions News Release
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Despite a furious comeback attempt late in the fourth quarter, the Columbus Lions still find themselves without a road win on the season as they lost 58-44 to the Nashville Venom on Sunday afternoon. The win gives the Venom (5-2), who never trailed in the game against Columbus, a two-game lead in the PIFL's American Conference. The loss drops the Lions (3-4) into a three-way tie with the Alabama Hammers and Georgia Fire for second place in the conference.
Quarterback Chris McCoy, in his first start behind center since the last game of the 2011 season, fired five touchdown passes and threw three interceptions for the Lions. He finished the game 21 of 40 passing for 240 yards. McCoy's favorite target in the game was wide receiver Jarmon Fortson, the Lions' Offensive Player of the Game, who had three touchdown receptions and nine total catches for 107 yards. Two of Fortson's TD receptions came in the final four and a half minutes as the Lions mounted a furious comeback late, only to come up short as Nashville scored the final touchdown as time expired.
Cody Pearcy, playing in his first game in a Lions jersey, overcame a slow start in the first half to snag a TD reception in the second half and play a big role in the Columbus offense. After having only one catch for eight yards in the first half, Pearcy picked up 56 yards on four catches in the second half of the game.
Offensive lineman Dion Small also grabbed a receiving touchdown off a play where he moved into the tight end spot. McCoy also called his own number for a quarterback sneak and the only rushing score of the game by the Lions. For the first time all season, offensive juggernaut and PIFL-leading running back Kendrick Perry was kept off the scoreboard after a remarkable run of six straight games finding the end zone at least once. On the special teams side of the ball, kicker Craig Camay again earned Lions' Special Teams Player of the Game honors, nailing a 45-yard field goal and going 6 for 7 on extra points.
On defense, Damian Daniels roped in yet another interception to add to his career indoor football record total and take Defensive Player of the Game honors for Columbus. Roshawn Marshall also had an INT for the Lions in the contest.
The Lions return home for three straight Saturday night games in the friendly confines of the Columbus Civic Center. After an interconference battle against the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks this Saturday night, the Lions have two key divisional matchups against the Alabama Hammers on June 7 and the Nashville Venom on June 14. Tickets are available for all three games, including special half-season ticket packages for all three games starting at $30 and free children's tickets available with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information, contact the Lions at 706.322.3336 or visit them online at www.columbuslions.net.
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from May 25, 2014
- Venom Shed Lions Despite Furious Fourth Quarter Comeback Attempt - Columbus Lions
- Steelhawks Fight Freedom with Injury Depleted Lineup - Lehigh Valley Steelhawks
- Second Half Offensive Struggles Plague the Herd - Harrisburg Stampede
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