Columbus Lions rout Georgia Firebirds again

ALBANY — Despite notching three wins since their matchup in the season opener, the rematch with the Columbus Lions proved the Georgia Firebirds still have quite a ways to go.

Columbus routed the Firebirds 73-19 late Saturday night at the Albany Civic Center. White it was much better than the 86-0 stomping the Lions put on the Firebirds in the season opener, it left the team sitting at 3-4 with two games left in the regular season.

Considering the lack of depth on the Firebird sidelines, a stronger showing Saturday night would have perhaps been a lot to ask of a team in its inaugural campaign. Head coach Antwone Savage doesn’t want to rest on that excuse.

“It’s been a rough season,” Savage said. “I’m not going to blame it on what’s going on (depth-wise), but at the same time, we’ve got to be able to get players in here who can finish the game and play four quarters.”

Since the departure of the Albany Panthers, former stars like Larry Edwards, Jarmon Fortson and John Harris would switch loyalties, suiting up for the Lions now.

For the recent Albany Sports Hall of Fame inductee Savage, it was a bittersweet experience to coach against former teammates.

“It’s a great feeling to see those guys still going at it,” Savage said, “But it hurts to know I could’ve had them working with me. If I had those guys, it’d make the game a whole lot easier.”

Harris would make his presence felt almost immediately, hauling in two touchdown receptions in the first quarter. Fortson added another touchdown to start the second. Two scores later, the visitors held a 43-point advantage. The home team added a score before the break to make things more respectable, but the damage was done long before then.

The Firebirds have one home game left on the schedule next Saturday. Savage wants the team to make the most of it.

“We’re going to come out, work hard this week and get the W,” he said. “Let’s make the last home game a great one. That’s my goal for next week.”

The Firebirds’ three scores came on a two-yard plunge from Andre Revere, a 14-yard reception by Jessie Atkins, and a 26-yard catch by Moshia Lightburn.