Post by 50yardfan on Jun 26, 2011 11:48:41 GMT -5
SIFL: Fumbles doom Columbus Lions in conference championship loss to Albany Panthers
www.ledger-enquirer.com/2011/06/26/1633814/sifl-fumbles-doom-columbus-lions.html
The Columbus Lions saw their dream of repeating as SIFL champions crushed by the Albany Panthers at the Columbus Civic Center on Saturday night.
The Panthers came from behind to post a 75-61 victory to advance to the league championship game against the Houston-Louisiana winner.
After a seesaw battle throughout the contest, the score was tied 54-54 with 5:52 remaining. The Lions took possession at their own 15, but were backed up to the 10 after a penalty. On the third play from scrimmage, the Panthers’ Demetrie McCray intercepted a Chris McCoy pass deep in the Lions’ territory. It was the first turnover by either team.
The Panthers took over on the Columbus 8 and it took only three plays to take the lead. Quarterback Cecil Lester lofted a 5-yard pass to Antwonis Cutts for the go-ahead score. Albany led 61-54 but the Lions still had a chance.
Columbus took possession with 1:50 left, but were penalized back to their own 14. After the one-minute warning, the snap sailed over McCoy’s head, all the way into the end zone. The Panthers recovered to go ahead 68-54 and seal the victory.
The offensive fireworks continued as the clock wound down on the Lions’ season. Each team scored another touchdown in the final 29 seconds of play.
The Lions and Panthers concluded a fierce season of competition in which each suffered its only loss to their instate rivals. The teams faced each other three times in the regular season, with Albany winning on April 2 and Columbus taking the last two meetings.
The playoff contest featured the biggest offensive totals for the two teams. They combined for 136 points in the SIFL semifinals, where their largest regular-season total was 116.
McCoy and wide receiver Anthony Merritt were the offensive stars for Columbus. The two hooked up on three scoring passes and Merritt added three on the ground.
Lions’ kicker Trey Crum converted 7 of 8 PATs and added three unos and a field goal, for a total 13 points.
Albany 3 17 13 42--75
Columbus 7 23 10 21--61
First quarter
Albany--Boyer 30 FG 7:47
Columbus--Merritt 1 run (Crum kick) 7:32
Second quarter
Albany--Boyer 26 FG 13:56
Columbus--Gales 10 pass from McCoy (Crum kick) 11:54
Columbus--Crum uno 11:54
Albany--Cutts 33 pass from Lester (Boyer drop kick) 11:21
Columbus--Horace 14 pass from McCoy (Crum kick) 9:35
Columbus--Crum uno 9:35
Albany--Rafe 29 pass from Lester (kick failed) 7:35
Columbus--Merritt 3 pass from McCoy (kick failed) :30
Columbus--Crum uno :30
Third quarter
Albany--Harris 12 pass from Lester (Boyer kick) 12:33
Columbus--Crum 23 FG 9:30
Albany--Harris 12 pass from Lester (kick failed) 5:56
Columbus--Merritt 2 run (Crum kick) 2:50
Fourth quarter
Albany--Savage 8 pass from Lester (Boyer kick) 14:04
Columbus--Merritt 33 pass from McCoy (Crum kick) 13:30
Albany--Savage 28 pass from Lester (Boyer kick) 12:23
Columbus--Merritt 1 run (Crum kick) 8:52
Albany--Wimbush 1 run (Boyer) 5:52
Albany--Cutts 5 pass from Lester (Boyer kick) 2:08
Albany--fumble recovery in end zone (Boyer kick) :54
Albany--Rue fumble recovery (Boyer kick) :29
Columbus--Merritt 10 pass from McCoy (Crum kick) :10
www.ledger-enquirer.com/2011/06/26/1633814/sifl-fumbles-doom-columbus-lions.html
The Columbus Lions saw their dream of repeating as SIFL champions crushed by the Albany Panthers at the Columbus Civic Center on Saturday night.
The Panthers came from behind to post a 75-61 victory to advance to the league championship game against the Houston-Louisiana winner.
After a seesaw battle throughout the contest, the score was tied 54-54 with 5:52 remaining. The Lions took possession at their own 15, but were backed up to the 10 after a penalty. On the third play from scrimmage, the Panthers’ Demetrie McCray intercepted a Chris McCoy pass deep in the Lions’ territory. It was the first turnover by either team.
The Panthers took over on the Columbus 8 and it took only three plays to take the lead. Quarterback Cecil Lester lofted a 5-yard pass to Antwonis Cutts for the go-ahead score. Albany led 61-54 but the Lions still had a chance.
Columbus took possession with 1:50 left, but were penalized back to their own 14. After the one-minute warning, the snap sailed over McCoy’s head, all the way into the end zone. The Panthers recovered to go ahead 68-54 and seal the victory.
The offensive fireworks continued as the clock wound down on the Lions’ season. Each team scored another touchdown in the final 29 seconds of play.
The Lions and Panthers concluded a fierce season of competition in which each suffered its only loss to their instate rivals. The teams faced each other three times in the regular season, with Albany winning on April 2 and Columbus taking the last two meetings.
The playoff contest featured the biggest offensive totals for the two teams. They combined for 136 points in the SIFL semifinals, where their largest regular-season total was 116.
McCoy and wide receiver Anthony Merritt were the offensive stars for Columbus. The two hooked up on three scoring passes and Merritt added three on the ground.
Lions’ kicker Trey Crum converted 7 of 8 PATs and added three unos and a field goal, for a total 13 points.
Albany 3 17 13 42--75
Columbus 7 23 10 21--61
First quarter
Albany--Boyer 30 FG 7:47
Columbus--Merritt 1 run (Crum kick) 7:32
Second quarter
Albany--Boyer 26 FG 13:56
Columbus--Gales 10 pass from McCoy (Crum kick) 11:54
Columbus--Crum uno 11:54
Albany--Cutts 33 pass from Lester (Boyer drop kick) 11:21
Columbus--Horace 14 pass from McCoy (Crum kick) 9:35
Columbus--Crum uno 9:35
Albany--Rafe 29 pass from Lester (kick failed) 7:35
Columbus--Merritt 3 pass from McCoy (kick failed) :30
Columbus--Crum uno :30
Third quarter
Albany--Harris 12 pass from Lester (Boyer kick) 12:33
Columbus--Crum 23 FG 9:30
Albany--Harris 12 pass from Lester (kick failed) 5:56
Columbus--Merritt 2 run (Crum kick) 2:50
Fourth quarter
Albany--Savage 8 pass from Lester (Boyer kick) 14:04
Columbus--Merritt 33 pass from McCoy (Crum kick) 13:30
Albany--Savage 28 pass from Lester (Boyer kick) 12:23
Columbus--Merritt 1 run (Crum kick) 8:52
Albany--Wimbush 1 run (Boyer) 5:52
Albany--Cutts 5 pass from Lester (Boyer kick) 2:08
Albany--fumble recovery in end zone (Boyer kick) :54
Albany--Rue fumble recovery (Boyer kick) :29
Columbus--Merritt 10 pass from McCoy (Crum kick) :10