Post by lionsroar on Jul 17, 2009 15:05:15 GMT -5
Lions Make Huge Strides On and Off Field
By: Matthew Hester
matthew@columbuslions.netThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
COLUMBUS, GA (July 17, 2009) – Following their season ending loss at the Eastern Conference Championship game on Monday night, the Columbus Lions would like to send out a special thanks to all their fans and sponsors for a great 2009 season.
Finishing with a franchise best 11-3 record, the Lions reached the playoffs for the third consecutive season bringing home the Southern Division Title and securing home-field advantage thru the playoffs.
The Lions gave fans many memories including a last second opening road win over division rival Carolina down to four consecutive wins to close out the season on the way to capturing their first ever division crown. Other season highlights include huge wins over Northern Division opponents Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Harrisburg outscoring those clubs 193-57. Finishing the season 8-2 against divisional opponents and a perfect 8-0 record at home during the regular season, the Lions gave their hometown fans two thrilling playoff games that included a win over the Guard and an Eastern Conference Championship game that came down to the wire.
Questions loomed at the beginning of the season as to who would lead the Lions offense. Despite having a rotating door at quarterback and starting three rookie quarterbacks, the trio of Bill Ashburn, Kevin Huff, and Todd Spitzer finished with a combined 47 touchdowns and only 19 interceptions. After finally settling on Spitzer, the Lions finished out the year with four consecutive wins and a 45-36 victory over the Guard in the Divisional Playoffs.
Led by leaders such as Damian Daniels, who finished tops in the AIFA with 17 interceptions, the Columbus Lions completed an overhaul of a defense that finished top five in many defensive categories including putting together the number two scoring defense (33.4 pts/game), and number five in total defense (198.5 yards/game). Sack master Mike Berry finished tops on the team with 9.5 sacks while the three-year veteran at linebacker, Justen Rivers, led the club in tackles with 54.
The 2009 season also brought the return of hometown hero Troy Bergeron, a former Shaw High School standout who joined the Lions in their second game making his presence known with 10 receptions and two touchdowns. Through six games, Bergeron lead the club in receiving with 34 receptions and 12 touchdowns. Troy once again was allotted the opportunity to play at the professional level, just recently signing with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.
Even though the 2009 AFL season was suspended, Bergeron did not have to look far for any of his former teammates, as kicker Carlos Martinez joined him in Columbus. Quickly Carlos became a fan favorite starting his own special section of fans while leading the league in uno’s (36) while finishing second in scoring with 169 points.
Off the field Columbus experienced a 12% increase in season ticket holders while also gaining an enlargement of 30% in fan walk-ups thanks to successful promotions like “3rd ID Night” and “Military Night”. In a true act of community teamwork, the Lions teamed up with Columbus State University and the National Infantry Museum to put on a great night to show their support and appreciation of the 3rd Brigade.
The second season of the Youth Indoor Football League introduced eight new teams giving them a total of 14 allowing even more kids ages 9-12 years old to experience first hand, the fast paced and thrilling action of indoor football. The Lions also rolled out the inaugural Georgia vs. Alabama High School Indoor Classic. This new event celebrated football in the Chattahoochee Valley by gathering outstanding seniors from area high schools to participate in an indoor football style all-star game.
Looking forward to the 2010? You can lock in your 2010 season tickets by taking advantage of the early bird special which only requires 20% down payment to reserve your seats and have up until March 2010 to pay the remaining balance. Upper Level tickets are $59, while Lower Level seats are $112, and Jungle Seats are $210-$350. Fans can contact the Lions front office at 706-322-3336 to reserve your seats today!
:smileylions:
South division
By: Matthew Hester
matthew@columbuslions.netThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
COLUMBUS, GA (July 17, 2009) – Following their season ending loss at the Eastern Conference Championship game on Monday night, the Columbus Lions would like to send out a special thanks to all their fans and sponsors for a great 2009 season.
Finishing with a franchise best 11-3 record, the Lions reached the playoffs for the third consecutive season bringing home the Southern Division Title and securing home-field advantage thru the playoffs.
The Lions gave fans many memories including a last second opening road win over division rival Carolina down to four consecutive wins to close out the season on the way to capturing their first ever division crown. Other season highlights include huge wins over Northern Division opponents Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Harrisburg outscoring those clubs 193-57. Finishing the season 8-2 against divisional opponents and a perfect 8-0 record at home during the regular season, the Lions gave their hometown fans two thrilling playoff games that included a win over the Guard and an Eastern Conference Championship game that came down to the wire.
Questions loomed at the beginning of the season as to who would lead the Lions offense. Despite having a rotating door at quarterback and starting three rookie quarterbacks, the trio of Bill Ashburn, Kevin Huff, and Todd Spitzer finished with a combined 47 touchdowns and only 19 interceptions. After finally settling on Spitzer, the Lions finished out the year with four consecutive wins and a 45-36 victory over the Guard in the Divisional Playoffs.
Led by leaders such as Damian Daniels, who finished tops in the AIFA with 17 interceptions, the Columbus Lions completed an overhaul of a defense that finished top five in many defensive categories including putting together the number two scoring defense (33.4 pts/game), and number five in total defense (198.5 yards/game). Sack master Mike Berry finished tops on the team with 9.5 sacks while the three-year veteran at linebacker, Justen Rivers, led the club in tackles with 54.
The 2009 season also brought the return of hometown hero Troy Bergeron, a former Shaw High School standout who joined the Lions in their second game making his presence known with 10 receptions and two touchdowns. Through six games, Bergeron lead the club in receiving with 34 receptions and 12 touchdowns. Troy once again was allotted the opportunity to play at the professional level, just recently signing with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.
Even though the 2009 AFL season was suspended, Bergeron did not have to look far for any of his former teammates, as kicker Carlos Martinez joined him in Columbus. Quickly Carlos became a fan favorite starting his own special section of fans while leading the league in uno’s (36) while finishing second in scoring with 169 points.
Off the field Columbus experienced a 12% increase in season ticket holders while also gaining an enlargement of 30% in fan walk-ups thanks to successful promotions like “3rd ID Night” and “Military Night”. In a true act of community teamwork, the Lions teamed up with Columbus State University and the National Infantry Museum to put on a great night to show their support and appreciation of the 3rd Brigade.
The second season of the Youth Indoor Football League introduced eight new teams giving them a total of 14 allowing even more kids ages 9-12 years old to experience first hand, the fast paced and thrilling action of indoor football. The Lions also rolled out the inaugural Georgia vs. Alabama High School Indoor Classic. This new event celebrated football in the Chattahoochee Valley by gathering outstanding seniors from area high schools to participate in an indoor football style all-star game.
Looking forward to the 2010? You can lock in your 2010 season tickets by taking advantage of the early bird special which only requires 20% down payment to reserve your seats and have up until March 2010 to pay the remaining balance. Upper Level tickets are $59, while Lower Level seats are $112, and Jungle Seats are $210-$350. Fans can contact the Lions front office at 706-322-3336 to reserve your seats today!
:smileylions:
South division
