By: Matthew Hester
Southern Indoor Football League
Media Relations Director

COLUMBUS, GA (JULY 8, 2010) – Despite their recent run of success, including finishing on top of many offensive and defensive categories, the Columbus Lions of the Southern Indoor Football League know beginning this Thursday night when they enter the playoffs certain things can go eerily wrong.

You can read all about it previous articles, big individual posted by members who have been with the club for a number of years, wide receiver Tirone Morris and defensive back Damian Daniels this season.  For them, playoff success has eluded them and really they know as a group they have not played well together.

Offering a bit of change is the number of fresh faces who were not around for the Mississippi collapse of two years ago or even last seasons last second defeat in the Eastern Conference Championship Game.  Lions starting quarterback, an All-SIFL first-teamer who leads the league in pass efficiency (105.7) and passing touchdowns (41), has the offensive playing at an all-time high.

“For a lot us, it’s been our first year really playing together,” says Lions quarterback Chris McCoy.  “I think we have improved a lot but it’s hard getting used to that sometimes.”

Consistency has always been a problem when it comes to the Columbus offense.  In the three Lions losses, the club has shown spurts of inability to move the ball scoring only 39 points/game while going minus three in the turnover battle.  Compare that to their eight wins and the offense has compiled 70 points/game along with a plus 32-turnover margin.

“It boils down to cutting down on the mistakes and staying crisp,” says Columbus Lions Head Coach Jason Gibson.  “I really believe we are finally entering the playoffs and hitting are peak as a club.”

Almost three weeks ago, it appeared the offense began to gel when the Lions last faced the Wildcatters.  In the 58-55 victory, Columbus at one point had a 21-point lead but let Lafayette slowly crawl back to within two points midway through the fourth.  Wide receiver Lonnell Dewalt had a career night torching the Pendleton-less, All-SIFL first-teamer, Lafayette secondary grabbing 10 receptions for 190 yards and four touchdowns.

Columbus held off the furious Catter rally when at the end of regulation kicker Sean Comiskey missed a potential game-tying field goal.  Wildcatter wide receiver Clyde Edwards, All-SIFL first team, will be the focus of the Lions defense after scorching the secondary with 10 receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns.

Whoever wins the match up will have a Championship meeting between the victors of the Albany/Louisiana semi-final game taking place this Saturday night in Albany.  There are three scenarios that can play out, but if the Panthers win the championship date will be Saturday July 17th and the same goes for if Lafayette and Louisiana both win.  If Columbus and Louisiana win, the date will set for Sunday July 18th in Columbus.

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