Predators become Prey; Lions 71 - Orlando 14

by Tyler Boutwell

The night began with two hopes: a win in Columbus and a Carolina Cobras loss. No need to bury the lead, the former was completed and the latter became another in a series of reasons to hate the Jacksonville Sharks. Jacksonville failed to complete their comeback and succumbed to the Cobras' venom 62-55. The Lions had no problem upholding their side of the bargain with a rarely seen outburst of 71 point in regulation and an even more impressive 14 points allowed on a 50 yard field. All of this conspires to see us face those same Cobras in Greensboro, North Carolina on this Saturday night (that game can be viewed for free on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEXwOcthKlE). 

The game played last Saturday night consisted of a cavalcade of comedic errors from the two quarterbacks that the Predators put on offer and a textbook performance from the Lions offense which was led by quarterback Daniel Smith. It seemed the Lions were channeling the insights of Hemingway when he said, "There is no hunting like the hunting of men". The Lions were hunting numbers 3 and 10 all night. Specifically, Kerry Starks of the Lions feasted on the Predators two-headed play calling duo to the tune of three sacks alone. He combined with the rest of the pack for eight sacks total on the night! Starks' performance solidified his sacks title with 10.0 on the season a full 2.0 sacks more than second place. Starks enjoyed a partnership with Ken Washington who contributed numerous quarterback rushes and two sacks himself. Darrien Townsend, Blake Erickson, and Droell Greene were all show out performers. Townsend had 3 touchdown receptions on the night which took his tally for the season to 23, good for second in the National Arena League (NAL). The Lions have enjoyed excellent individual performers and have arguably been stymied only by a level of uncertainty at the quarterback position. If the Lions stay on the prowl, their next prey should be of the elapidae variety.

ABOUT THE COLUMBUS LIONS

The Columbus Lions are members of the National Arena League (NAL). Founded in 2007, the Columbus Lions are starting their 16th season in 2022. The Lions are a 3x league champion and 14 playoff appearances in their rich history. The Lions play their home games at Hughston Field in the Columbus Civic Center. Lions Season Ticket Memberships are on sale now call (706) 322-3336 or visit columbuslions.com. Follow the Lions on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Lionsfootball/, twitter @columbuslions and instagram.com/Columbuslions.

ABOUT NATIONAL ARENA LEAGUE

The National Arena League was founded in 2016 and hosted its inaugural season in 2017 as the premier league in arena football. The National Arena League will kick off its sixth season in 2022. For more information regarding expansion opportunities or partnerships, contact Commissioner Chris Siegfried at chris@nationalarenaleague.com For more information about the NAL visit www.nationalarenaleague.com, facebook.com/nationalarenaleauge, twitter.com/NALfootball, Instagram.com/nationalarenaleague.