By: Matthew Hester
Southern Indoor Football League
Media Relations Director

COLUMBUS, GA (JUNE 26, 2010) – In a playoff atmosphere that sounded much like the World Cup, the Columbus Lions (8-3) of the Southern Indoor Football League avoided the season sweep defeating the Regular Season Champion Albany Panthers (8-3) on Saturday night 38-20.

Although both clubs finished the season with identical records, the Panthers own the tie-breaker over Columbus which is decided by head-to-head match-ups.

Already up by 14 midway through the 1st quarter, Columbus linebacker Ryan Babb grabbed the first turnover of the night when he picked off Panthers quarterback Cecil Lester and scooted it in for an eight-yard interception return.  With constant pressure in his face all night, Lester finished the night only completing 14 of 27 passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns while also throwing three interceptions.

Big plays were the big theme of the night for the Columbus Lions as defensive back Damian Daniels added two more interceptions, closing out the season as the SIFL league leader with 14.   Also, defensive mate Anthony Merritt grabbed his sixth interception, his third game in a row with a pick.  Upfront, the pressure come from all ends but linebacker Leon Foster got after Lester the most bringing him down two times while SIFL sack leader Franklin Lloyd recovered one of two Lions fumbles.

Unlike the previous two contests, Albany receivers were unable to break thru with some huge yards after the reception with John Harris leading the way with three catches for 42 yards and two touchdowns.  Despite being within nine of Columbus midway through the third, turnovers continued to plague the Panthers offense as a late fourth quarter interception by the Lions set up the final periods only score when back-up Chris Malleo hit Gerald Gales for a 49-yard touchdown strike.

Although he didn’t start, Malleo played majority of the game as starter Chris McCoy was lifted after taking a heavy hit to the turf mid ways into the first quarter.  Finishing as the top receiving target on the night was Gales catching 7 balls for 139 yards and two touchdowns.

Columbus and Albany will now set their sets on the 2010 playoffs as both will serve as the host venues for the opening round.  By virtue of the Lafayette Wildcatters 31-30 stunning victory over Louisiana on Saturday, the playoff picture is now complete.

Beginning on Thursday July 8th, the opening round of the playoffs will begin as the Columbus Lions will host the Lafayette Wildcatters and close out with the Regular Season Champion Albany Panthers hosting the defending champion Louisiana Swashbucklers. 

For more information from around the Southern Indoor Football League, log on to www.southernifl.com.