Columbus Lions look to make history tonight in AIF title game
It all comes down to Saturday.
The Columbus Lions will face the West Michigan Ironmen at 7 p.m. at the Columbus Civic Center. At stake: the AIF championship.
Local players like center Ryne Holland, who graduated from Columbus High and LaGrange College, hope to bring their hometown its third indoor football championship and second in as many seasons.
To Holland, who is playing his first season in indoor football, the 10-0 season so far has been a blur.
“It’s unimaginable,” Holland said. “To be honest, it’s surreal. I never thought I’d be in this situation. I’m blessed to be here.”
Holland has led an offensive line that has helped protect quarterback Casey Kacz and allowed him time to pick apart opposing defenses.
“The offensive line has stepped up; they’re good,” said Lions coach Jason Gibson.
“I’ve always been taught that the line is the most important part of a team,” Holland said. “Now that I’m on a team where the skill players like the quarterback and the wide receivers are the best of the best, I can see where it comes into play.
“Before in a situation where you have a good line but didn’t have a good receiver or quarterback, you couldn’t really tell how important it was. Where we now have all-pro wide receivers and a quarterback, the line just makes them better.”
Playing in the trenches and between the tackles doesn’t come with the same level of glitz and glamour as playing quarterback or receiver, but to Holland, it’s just as rewarding.
“I get just as happy seeing them score because it makes me feel accomplished, like I did my job,” Holland said.
Saturday’s game also marks the last in the storied career of defensive back Damian Daniels, the only player to be a part of both championship teams in Columbus, in 2010 in the SIFL and last year in the PIFL. Daniels will retire Saturday as the all-time indoor football career leader in interceptions.
“He’s been a great player. He’s a cornerstone of the franchise,” Gibson said. “He’s been a major part of my life since it’s been 10 years we spent playing and coaching together. I’m excited for him because he’s excited about (Saturday’s) game. It’s a good accomplishment for him. He’s the best defensive back to play indoor football, hands down. I’d love to talk to anyone who wants to dispute that.
“He’s excited to go out on top, as are the other 20 players dressing. They want (the championship) for him, he wants it for himself and for Columbus, and I want it for him as well. He’s earned it, and I’m excited for him.”
Gibson, Daniels, and the Lions will face a veteran West Michigan team led by quarterback Alex Carder, who played part of last season in the PIFL with Nashville.
“He’s one of the top 4 quarterbacks in the league,” Gibson said. “Any time you have a good quarterback, you have a chance to win the game, no matter who you are.”
The one advantage the Lions have, however, is the crowd. This will be only the second road game for West Michigan; they dropped their only other road game in a season opening loss to St. Louis.
“It’s hard to play here. It’s hard anywhere on the road in indoor football, period,” Gibson said.
“I think the biggest thing is all my friends from high school, guys I grew up with, my family, people I go hunt with, work with, they keep saying ‘good luck Saturday, I can’t wait to come watch you play,’” Holland said. “All the people who have watched me all season are a huge support.”
This story was originally published June 17, 2016 at 8:29 PM with the headline "Columbus Lions look to make history tonight in AIF title game."