Post by lionsroar on Apr 1, 2009 13:10:09 GMT -5
www.columbuslions.net//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=77&Itemid=14
Lions Look to Sink Mariners Ship
COLUMBUS, GA (April 1, 2009) - Before last weekend, the game between Columbus Lions (2-1) and Baltimore Mariners (2-1) of the American Indoor Football Association looked like a matchup that would feature two undefeated teams while also sporting the leagues top two offenses.
That was before Florence and Harrisburg upended those plans with Florence defeating the Lions 55-36 and Harrisburg sneaking by the Mariners 37-34. Both Columbus and Baltimore still sport the AIFA’s top two offensive teams averaging 51 points per game.
Baltimore could easily be looking at a 3-0 start but special teams let them down with kicker J.R. Cipra missing on all 6 of his field goal attempts last weekend. Offensively the Mariners are led by RB Isaiah Grier who leads the AIFA in rushing. Mariners QB Earnest Nemeth had his best outing of the season last week against the Stampede completing 22 of 31 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns.
Columbus took a pounding from the AIFA defending champions Florence Phantoms on both sides of the ball. Against Florence, the Lions offense sputtered only getting 3 first downs in the first half and rookie QB Bill Ashburn was pulled late in first half after going 9 of 21 for 41 yards and one interception, while backup Kevin Huff didn’t fare much better going 11 of 20 for 105 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Despite getting an early fumble return for a touchdown by linebacker Justen Rivers, the Lions defense never got a hold of Phantoms QB Omar Jacobs who scored 7 touchdowns and was 6 of 7 in the red zone.
“Baltimore is a much improved team from last year and I know they will be just as hungry as us since they lost last week,” says Head Coach Jason Gibson. “I was disappointed in our showing last week but after looking at the film those mistakes but they can be easily corrected.”
The two offenses contrast styles as Columbus gets it done primarily through the air (117 pass attempts, 27 rush) and the Mariners have found success through their running game (91 pass attempts, 40 rush) as they top the league in rushing touchdowns with 11, so the Lions will have to utilize their 7th ranked rush defense in hope to slow them down.
Be sure to catch this weekend’s matchup as Saturday night April 4th is “Columbus Consolidated Government Night”. All city employees receive a free ticket with their city id badge. Four-pack promotions are also available for city employees to get four tickets and a ten dollar food voucher for only $24. Get there early for the pre-game tailgate and stay after the game for the Lions first ever jersey auction. Call the Lions front office at 706-322-3DEN for more details.
:smileylions:
Lions Look to Sink Mariners Ship
COLUMBUS, GA (April 1, 2009) - Before last weekend, the game between Columbus Lions (2-1) and Baltimore Mariners (2-1) of the American Indoor Football Association looked like a matchup that would feature two undefeated teams while also sporting the leagues top two offenses.
That was before Florence and Harrisburg upended those plans with Florence defeating the Lions 55-36 and Harrisburg sneaking by the Mariners 37-34. Both Columbus and Baltimore still sport the AIFA’s top two offensive teams averaging 51 points per game.
Baltimore could easily be looking at a 3-0 start but special teams let them down with kicker J.R. Cipra missing on all 6 of his field goal attempts last weekend. Offensively the Mariners are led by RB Isaiah Grier who leads the AIFA in rushing. Mariners QB Earnest Nemeth had his best outing of the season last week against the Stampede completing 22 of 31 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns.
Columbus took a pounding from the AIFA defending champions Florence Phantoms on both sides of the ball. Against Florence, the Lions offense sputtered only getting 3 first downs in the first half and rookie QB Bill Ashburn was pulled late in first half after going 9 of 21 for 41 yards and one interception, while backup Kevin Huff didn’t fare much better going 11 of 20 for 105 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Despite getting an early fumble return for a touchdown by linebacker Justen Rivers, the Lions defense never got a hold of Phantoms QB Omar Jacobs who scored 7 touchdowns and was 6 of 7 in the red zone.
“Baltimore is a much improved team from last year and I know they will be just as hungry as us since they lost last week,” says Head Coach Jason Gibson. “I was disappointed in our showing last week but after looking at the film those mistakes but they can be easily corrected.”
The two offenses contrast styles as Columbus gets it done primarily through the air (117 pass attempts, 27 rush) and the Mariners have found success through their running game (91 pass attempts, 40 rush) as they top the league in rushing touchdowns with 11, so the Lions will have to utilize their 7th ranked rush defense in hope to slow them down.
Be sure to catch this weekend’s matchup as Saturday night April 4th is “Columbus Consolidated Government Night”. All city employees receive a free ticket with their city id badge. Four-pack promotions are also available for city employees to get four tickets and a ten dollar food voucher for only $24. Get there early for the pre-game tailgate and stay after the game for the Lions first ever jersey auction. Call the Lions front office at 706-322-3DEN for more details.
:smileylions: