Offensive Quartet Re-Joins Lions for 2012

By: Matthew Hester
Columbus Lions Indoor Football
Media Relations Director

COLUMBUS, GA (February 22, 2012) – The Columbus Lions of the Professional Indoor Football League are proud the announce the re-signing of four offensive starters in quarterback Chris McCoy along with receivers Gerald Gales, Anthony Merritt, and Brandon Horace.
C.McCoy3-27-2011
McCoy (5’11 195, Navy) will be entering his fourth year with the Lions with 2012 being just his second year heading in as a starter. Last season, McCoy completed over 62% of his passes while tossing for 2,847 yards and 58 touchdowns. The former Offensive MVP also had a team-high 15 rushing touchdowns while leading the club to an 11-1 regular season Division Championship.

Entering his fifth year with the Lions, Gerald Gales (6’0 185, West Alabama) is the clubs all-time receiving leader in receptions (254), yards (3,376), and touchdowns (68). Last season, Gales hauled in a team-high 77 receptions and 23 touchdowns in route to his second consecutive All-2nd Team nod.
A.Merritt6-25-2011
Also entering his fifth year, Anthony Merritt (6’0 215, North Alabama) has been one of the clubs all-time greatest play-makers scoring a whopping 59 touchdowns by either passing, receiving, rushing, special-teams, or via an interception. After spending the previous two seasons at defensive back, the Shaw High grad made the switch back to receiver and finished second the club with 76 receptions to go along with a team-high 26 touchdowns. For his efforts, Merritt grabbed 1st Team honors as a specialist after he led the league with 1,833 all-purpose yards.

Proving to be a vital member down the stretch, Brandon Horace (6’4 225, Alabama State) enters just his second season with the Lions. Horace same limited action in 2011 with majority of it coming towards the end of the season. The former Hornet hauled in 18 receptions for 230 yards and three touchdowns.

The three-time division champs get training camp underway this week with camp concluding on Sunday March 4th in a pre-season game against the Team James All-Stars at 6 p.m. Be sure to join us as 50% of the games proceeds go to help benefit the United Way.

For Lions training camp schedule be sure to log on to www.columbuslions.net and for ticket information contact the front office at 706-322-3336.