Lions Take Season Opener 54 - 44

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Lions Take Season Opener 54 - 44 Date: 3/14/2008 11:14:48 AM

COLUMBUS, GA (Mar. 14, 2008) – The Columbus Lions of the American Indoor Football Association won their season opener Thursday night against the Augusta Colts by a score of 54-44.

In a rematch from last season’s World Indoor Bowl, the Lions gained a bit of revenge not so much in favor of Augusta. At quarterback, Joey Conrad led the charge for the Lions as he completed 18 of 32 passes for 251 yards and 4 touchdowns. His 44-yard strike to Anthony Merritt on a third down early in the fourth quarter gave the Lions a 47-26 lead and sent the modest Colts crowd to the exits early.

The defense was not to out done, as WIFL Co-Defensive MVP Damian Daniels started off the season with another interception and 6 tackles. Elbert Shumake II also pitched in as he recorded two sacks and was apart of the pressure that gained a safety off an intentional grounding penalty. “I’m very pleased with the play of the defense, we started 6 rookies who all got an early taste for the turf game,” says Head Coach Jason Gibson.

Special teams got into the scoring act as kicker Wes Wilson earned 16 points, which included 3 field goals with his longest coming at 40 yards. The Lions return game also featured a 48-yard kickoff return for touchdown by Gerald Gales early in the fourth quarter.

“Overall we played a great first game, but we have a lot of opportunities to fix some weaknesses. We need to improve on mistakes like penalties and short yardage, it was our first game and we now have something to build on,” continues Gibson.

The Lions look to build off their first win as the get ready for the home opener against the Erie RiverRats on March 22nd. To get your individual tickets for the game or last minute season tickets, call the Lions front office at 706-322-3DEN.

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The Augusta Colts finally got to feel artificial turf underneath their feet Thursday night.

While the outcome wasn't what they wanted, the town's newest indoor football squad remained encouraged.

Brandon Satcher tossed six touchdown passes, but Augusta's offense failed to get in a rhythm in a 54-44 season-opening loss to Columbus.

"Offensively, we came out a little sluggish," wide receiver Marvin Stone said. "We came out and made some plays in the second half. We just came up short."

In their inaugural season in the American Indoor Football Association, the Colts' offense struggled at times. Head coach Bubba Diggs said it hurt not having any indoor practices in two-and-a-half weeks of preseason.

Workers finally installed the team's turf, which was rolled out in the Bell Auditorium parking lot last week, inside James Brown Arena early Thursday morning.

"Having to practice outside with the weather," Diggs said, "it's been tough."

On Bubba Diggs Night, the coach received a Rolex watch and had his jersey retired at halftime. Before then, he watched Augusta dig itself an early hole by failing to score on its first three drives of the game. Down seven at halftime, the Colts opened the second half with a safety and an interception, allowing Columbus to expand its lead to 21 points.

"The thing we've got to do is score when they score," Diggs said. "We can't afford to get down and not score touchdowns."

Joey Conrad threw four touchdown passes to lead Columbus. His 44-yard strike to Anthony Merritt on third down early in the fourth quarter gave the Lions a 47-26 lead and sent fans to the exits.

Satcher, in his first indoor football start, misfired on his first four attempts. He finally got in sync on the fourth series, firing a 45-yard strike down the right sideline to Anthony Young. He and Young later connected on a 40-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, the Colts' first score.

Satcher went 18-for-37 passing for 232 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions.

"Brandon Satcher's got the heart of a champion," Stone said. "He came out and made some plays. That's what we need, a quarterback that's going to come out with heart and make some plays."

Augusta's Marvin Stone, last season's WIFL Most Valuable Player, caught eight passes for 60 yards with four touchdowns. Young hauled in eight receptions for 150 yards and two scores.

"We had a good game," Augusta defensive back Chip Dykes said. "We had a couple of miscommunications out there. We played real bad in the first half and started to pick it up in the second half.

"I can guarantee we're going to come out and play better ball the next game."

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ok this article is from Chris Gay at the chronicle in Augusta and was also in the paper in Columbus! Also which means there was no effort by the paper to make an appearance to put their own story together! How effortless.......

So we get a complete article glorifying Augusta when we won.

Great JOB LEDGER-ENQUIRER way to show your support


You would think they and the Lions could have atleast had the same article that's on the lions website which is much more" lion fan" friendly

Geez this town just don't get it! If ESPN covers everything else we really don't need their input but we sure would like to know about our professional sports right in town