Post by lionsroar on May 3, 2008 7:33:48 GMT -5
Lions know win is needed
Columbus, Augusta tangle, hope to keep up with Mississippi
BY CHRISTA TURNER - turnerc@ledger-enquirer.com --
Neither team can afford to lose ground.
The Columbus Lions and Augusta Colts each trail Southern Division leader Mississippi by a game and a half. The loser of tonight's 7:30 game at the Columbus Civic Center falls even further behind.
It's not a situation Lions coach Jason Gibson wants to think about.
"This is a big game for us, even bigger for them," said Gibson, whose team beat the Colts in an early-season matchup. "We can't afford to lose ground to Mississippi -- either one of us. You've got to keep hanging in there and see what happens."
Columbus and Augusta sport identical 5-2 records and have played one more game than undefeated Mississippi (6-0).
The key for Columbus will be springing its highly talented receivers on the Colts. The Lions' Gerald Gales, Anthony Merritt and Silas Daniels all rank in the top 10 in the American Indoor Football Association.
All three receivers have 12 touchdowns, something no other team in the league can say. Only Mississippi's Daryl Carter possesses more touchdown catches than Columbus' trio.
"We've got three receivers in the top five in the league, and we have to continue to get them the ball and let them make things happen," Gibson said.
Columbus has been mighty adept at doing just that through the first seven games this season. The Lions have the No. 3-ranked scoring offense in the league (57.3 points per game) and the second-rated passing attack, averaging 242 yards per game.
The Lions will have to hold off the pressure of a tenacious Augusta defense, putting a premium on protecting quarterback Joey Conrad long enough for the receivers to get open.
"They bring a lot of pressure," Gibson said. "We have to keep their pressure off us."
Gibson has been pleased with the development of his defense, which has continued to get better each week. Both defenses will face a huge challenge in stopping the opposing offense. Columbus is ranked first in the league in red-zone offense, scoring 19 of 21 trips inside it, while the Colts are second, scoring 31 of 36 times.
"They know us so well," Gibson said. "We have to not allow them to make plays or get sacks."
It will be Faith and Family night at the Civic Center with a free concert featuring Christian rock band New Method from 6-7 p.m.
www.ledger-enquirer.com/293/story/312724.html
Columbus, Augusta tangle, hope to keep up with Mississippi
BY CHRISTA TURNER - turnerc@ledger-enquirer.com --
Neither team can afford to lose ground.
The Columbus Lions and Augusta Colts each trail Southern Division leader Mississippi by a game and a half. The loser of tonight's 7:30 game at the Columbus Civic Center falls even further behind.
It's not a situation Lions coach Jason Gibson wants to think about.
"This is a big game for us, even bigger for them," said Gibson, whose team beat the Colts in an early-season matchup. "We can't afford to lose ground to Mississippi -- either one of us. You've got to keep hanging in there and see what happens."
Columbus and Augusta sport identical 5-2 records and have played one more game than undefeated Mississippi (6-0).
The key for Columbus will be springing its highly talented receivers on the Colts. The Lions' Gerald Gales, Anthony Merritt and Silas Daniels all rank in the top 10 in the American Indoor Football Association.
All three receivers have 12 touchdowns, something no other team in the league can say. Only Mississippi's Daryl Carter possesses more touchdown catches than Columbus' trio.
"We've got three receivers in the top five in the league, and we have to continue to get them the ball and let them make things happen," Gibson said.
Columbus has been mighty adept at doing just that through the first seven games this season. The Lions have the No. 3-ranked scoring offense in the league (57.3 points per game) and the second-rated passing attack, averaging 242 yards per game.
The Lions will have to hold off the pressure of a tenacious Augusta defense, putting a premium on protecting quarterback Joey Conrad long enough for the receivers to get open.
"They bring a lot of pressure," Gibson said. "We have to keep their pressure off us."
Gibson has been pleased with the development of his defense, which has continued to get better each week. Both defenses will face a huge challenge in stopping the opposing offense. Columbus is ranked first in the league in red-zone offense, scoring 19 of 21 trips inside it, while the Colts are second, scoring 31 of 36 times.
"They know us so well," Gibson said. "We have to not allow them to make plays or get sacks."
It will be Faith and Family night at the Civic Center with a free concert featuring Christian rock band New Method from 6-7 p.m.
www.ledger-enquirer.com/293/story/312724.html
