By: Matthew Hester
Media Relations Director
Southern Indoor Football League

COLUMBUS, GA (February 19, 2010) – With training camp set to get underway in a week, the Columbus Lions of the Southern Indoor Football League added some final additions in hopes of bolstering their offensive line.

This past Saturday the Lions coaching staff held a final tryout in hopes of finding one or two lineman as no offensive lineman returning from the Lions number three scoring offense of last season.  Head Coach Jason Gibson was pleased to find three new additions as he will have a long look at a number of players on his offensive as majority of the squad will report for training camp on Thursday February 25th.  

Chris Rogers (6’0 330, East Mississippi Community College) was a lead blocker for Oregon running back LaGarrette Blount while the two were at EMCC together back in 2006.  Head Coach Jason Gibson was extremely impressed with how strong Rogers was along with quickness he displayed considering how big Chris is. 

Michael Hatter (6’2 285, Auburn) was a former walk-on at Auburn University and went up against some biggest and best of the SEC on a daily basis.  The coaching staff was excited about Hatter’s size and mobility potential for the offensive line.

The biggest surprise of the tryout was that of Jeff Kirby (6’6 370).  Considering the conditions at Memorial Stadium were quite poor after the snowstorm that blanketed much of the east coach last weekend, Kirby amazed the coaching staff with his speed and footwork in the mud.

The staff also signed speedster Brandon Averett (5’9 200, Alabama State) giving him the opportunity to compete in the Lions secondary.  On Saturday, Averett ran a 4.50 flat in the mud and coach believes that indoors he could possibly run a 4.2.  Brandon is also a graduate of nearby Central High School in Phenix City, Alabama.

The first slate of practices for training camp will begin on Friday February 26th at 6:30 pm at Memorial Stadium.  In anticipation for the 2010 season, following each day of training camp we will have a player interviews to help introduce Lion fans to some of the newest additions to the squad along with finding out what has been going on with some of the returning players.

Columbus will kickoff the 2010 season on March 27th as they host the defending SIFL Champion Louisiana Swashbucklers at the Columbus Civic Center.  Season tickets are still available, to reserve your seats in the jungle contact the front office at 706-322-3336 or visit www.columbuslions.net.

For much more from around the Southern Indoor Football League, be sure to visit www.southernifl.com or become our friend on the Ning Network.  Visit www.siflfanzone.ning.com and chat along with other SIFL fans.