Post by lionsroar on Jun 22, 2008 6:09:25 GMT -5
Lions hold off Guard for win
Columbus travels to Mississippi in opening round of playoffs on July 5
By From staff reports
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. --Now for the postseason.
The Columbus Lions went into Saturday night's game against the Fayetteville Guard knowing it had already secured an American Indoor Football Association playoff berth.
The Lions, who will travel to face Mississippi in the playoff opener on July 5, shook off a slow start and beat the Guard 59-58 in a wild game at the Crown Coliseum.
There were three scores in the final 35 seconds of the game and four in the final 1:54.
Fayetteville had taken a 52-49 lead with 1:54 left on Shawn Withy-Allen's touchdown pass. The score was set up by an interception of Lions quarterback Maurice Mullins.
The Lions were able to get close enough for a field goal on the next drive. With 35 seconds left, Hunter Smith hit a 40-yard field to tie the game at 52.
Withy-Allen fumbled on the ensuing possession and Mike Radon recovered at the Guard 1-yard line. Mullins, who took over at quarterback for Joey Conrad in the second half to get some playing time, scored on a 1-yard run for a 59-52 lead with 21 seconds left.
Fayetteville pulled to within one, 59-58, on its first play after the kickoff on a trick play. But the Guard decided to go for the win instead of the tie. But the Lions stopped Wilmont Perry on a draw.
It was the last regular-season game for the Lions (10-4).
Fayetteville took a 16-7 lead in the first quarter. The Lions' touchdown came on Conrad's 1-yard run.
But former Shaw standout Anthony Merritt caught a pair of touchdown passes in the second quarter as the Lions took a 32-23 lead into intermission.
Conrad's passes to Merritt were from 11 and 17 yards.
Conrad added another 1-yard score in the quarter. Smith closed out the first half with a 20-yard field goal.
The Lions advanced to the championship game of the World Indoor Football League last season before losing to Augusta.
www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/story/353242.html
Columbus travels to Mississippi in opening round of playoffs on July 5
By From staff reports
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. --Now for the postseason.
The Columbus Lions went into Saturday night's game against the Fayetteville Guard knowing it had already secured an American Indoor Football Association playoff berth.
The Lions, who will travel to face Mississippi in the playoff opener on July 5, shook off a slow start and beat the Guard 59-58 in a wild game at the Crown Coliseum.
There were three scores in the final 35 seconds of the game and four in the final 1:54.
Fayetteville had taken a 52-49 lead with 1:54 left on Shawn Withy-Allen's touchdown pass. The score was set up by an interception of Lions quarterback Maurice Mullins.
The Lions were able to get close enough for a field goal on the next drive. With 35 seconds left, Hunter Smith hit a 40-yard field to tie the game at 52.
Withy-Allen fumbled on the ensuing possession and Mike Radon recovered at the Guard 1-yard line. Mullins, who took over at quarterback for Joey Conrad in the second half to get some playing time, scored on a 1-yard run for a 59-52 lead with 21 seconds left.
Fayetteville pulled to within one, 59-58, on its first play after the kickoff on a trick play. But the Guard decided to go for the win instead of the tie. But the Lions stopped Wilmont Perry on a draw.
It was the last regular-season game for the Lions (10-4).
Fayetteville took a 16-7 lead in the first quarter. The Lions' touchdown came on Conrad's 1-yard run.
But former Shaw standout Anthony Merritt caught a pair of touchdown passes in the second quarter as the Lions took a 32-23 lead into intermission.
Conrad's passes to Merritt were from 11 and 17 yards.
Conrad added another 1-yard score in the quarter. Smith closed out the first half with a 20-yard field goal.
The Lions advanced to the championship game of the World Indoor Football League last season before losing to Augusta.
www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/story/353242.html