-NO “SMALL” MOVE: ALL-LEAGUE LINEMAN RE-SIGNS WITH LIONS

COLUMBUS, GA, Nov. 18 -- Former Troy University star offensive tackle Dion Small will be back with the Columbus Lions for the 2012 Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) season, his third with the team, Head Coach and Director of Football Operations Jason Gibson announced today.

            Small, 6’3” and 310 pounds, is a native of nearby Americus, Georgia who was a first-team all-region lineman at Americus High School from 2003-05 and all-state his last two years, playing in the North-South all-star game to end his senior year. He attended Georgia Military College in 2006-07, transferring to Troy University for the 2008-09 seasons. With the Trojans, Small made first-team all-Sun Belt Conference both seasons.

            Graduating from Troy with a degree in criminal justice, Small attended a Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie camp and was invited to a Buffalo Bills tryout. He got a call from Gibson in late 2009 and joined the Lions in time to anchor their offensive line and win the 2010 Southern Indoor Football League championship.

            After spending a month with the Georgia Force of the Arena Football League early last season, Small returned to earn 2011 all-SIFL first-team offensive lineman honors along with DeMarqus Daughtry (Houston Stallions) and Raymond James (Rio Grande Valley Magic). Other Lions making the first team were Trey Crum (K), Justen Rivers (LB), Damian Daniels (DB) and Anthony Merritt (KR).

            “Dion is a big reason why we won a league championship in 2010 and came close to another one last season,” said Gibson. “He’s rock-solid in his blocking technique, is very mobile and take-charge. His return helped bring the offensive line together as a team strength after a shaky start and made it possible for us to average more than sixty points a game all year.”

            For his part, Small is excited to be back in Columbus for 2012. “The main reason why I came back was to win another championship,” he said. “I felt like we left something out there last season when Albany (Panthers) came back late on us to win the conference title. We got hot after beating them twice in the regular season and rode the momentum into the playoffs, but they forced the key turnovers late (Albany won 75-61). Now that we’ve beat each other the last two years, with the winner going on to win the league, I want to taste another title badly.”

Small works as a correctional officer at the Sumter County Jail near his hometown and he says his parents make every game in Columbus. Dion is engaged to be married next year, and among three siblings, brother Kyle Champion, also an offensive lineman, goes up against Auburn this weekend for Samford University.

DOUGHBOYS FINISH 2-3, TAKE ON MARINES IN FEBRUARY MILITARY CLASSIC

               FT. BENNING, GA, Nov. 18-- The first all-post, active-duty soldier team at Ft. Benning since the mid-1970’s were defeated by the Team James All-Stars of metro Atlanta in overtime November 10 at Doughboy Stadium, 41-35, to cap a successful return to football for the Doughboys as their outdoor season ended with a 2-3 record.

            Successfully assembled, trained and coached by Lions Head Coach Jason Gibson, assistant coaches included his defensive coordinator Brandon Reed (defensive line and secondary), wide receiver Gerald Gales (receivers), linebacker Ryan Babb, medical director Scott Lunato (running backs) and Jeff Gonos (quarterbacks).

            Now, through the cooperative efforts of Ft. Benning brass, Gonos’ Beyond The Game Sports and the Columbus Lions, the Doughboys will come indoors to play the Camp Lejeune/Fort Cherry (NC) Marines in the first-ever Military Classic at the Columbus Civic Center on Sunday, February 12 at 7:00 p.m.

            Roughly half the Doughboys outdoor squad will be selected to compete indoors in what is billed as the first Military Arena or Indoor Football Game ever played. The game is a nightcap to the 4^th Annual Georgia vs. Alabama High School All-Star Indoor Classic, played at 3:00 p.m.

            Rosters of the four teams are scheduled to be announced by January 13, 2012. Tickets for the doubleheader range from $13 to $20 and go on sale January 30, 2012 at the Civic Center box office. For more details, contact Beyond The Game Sports at 706-393-8181 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it "> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .