Columbus Lions 2018 Season Preview

After winning two titles in two seasons in two different leagues – Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) in 2015 and American Indoor Football (AIF) in 2016 – the Columbus Lions were on the edge of a third title in three seasons in a third league in 2017.

They had the ball in Jacksonville Sharks territory in the final seconds of the inaugural National Arena League (NAL) title game. Unfortunately, a mishandled snap by quarterback Mason Espinosa was fumbled and recovered by the Sharks, ending the Lions title-winning streak.

This off-season, they have signed a multitude of new talent, especially at the quarterback position. Their star quarterback from last season, Darren Daniel, signed with the High Country Grizzlies in the American Arena League (AAL). They signed former Auburn University standout Jeremy Johnson. He will competing with Mason Espinosa for the starting job in training camp.

Wide receiver Tristan Purifoy, one of their leading receivers from last season, has also re-signed. He recorded 66 receptions for 793 yards and 19 touchdowns. The 19 touchdowns was second on the team behind only Michael Reeve. Unfortunately, Reeve and Jarmon Fortson are both no longer with the team.

On defense, they did re-sign a huge piece in defensive back Kyle Griswould. Griswould recorded 38.5 tackles and 10 interceptions, both which led the team. Also returning will be defensive back Chris Smith, who recorded 24.5 tackles and three interceptions.

Columbus kicks off their season on April 13 when they host their long-time rival in the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks. The last time these two teams played, Columbus overcame a 22-point deficit to defeat the Steelhawks in Allentown in one of two NAL semifinal games.

A Tale of Two Quarterback Competitions

Of all the quarterback competitions in arena football in 2018, two stick out above the rest – the Cape Fear Heroes and Columbus Lions.

Cape Fear won the Supreme Indoor Football (SIF) championship game, but also played two quarterbacks during the season. Both Ryan Bach and Daryll Clark saw action.

Clark started May 6 against the Cap City Bulls and led the Heroes to a win. The following week, Clark was injured against the Triangle Torch and was placed on injured reserve. Bach took over and led the Heroes all the way to the title.

“My mindset is being the starting quarterback for the Heroes and [I] am willing to put in the work to make sure that happens,” Bach told Inside the Arena.

In Columbus, Mason Espinosa started the season for the Lions in 2017 before eventually being benched for Darren Daniel. Daniel would have an impressive outing, but it would be Espinosa who would be under center through the Lions playoff run into the inaugural National Arena League title game. Unfortunately, they fell just yards short of a title as they fell to the Jacksonville Sharks.

Competing with him for the starting job this season will be former Corpus Christi Rage quarterback Kyle Cool. Cool didn’t do so well with the Rage, but the Rage didn’t do well as a team. This is a 180 for Cool as he looks to win the starting job in the competition against Espinosa.

“I plan to come to camp prepared and ready to work for that spot,” Cool told Inside the Arena in a recent interview. “It should be a fun competition and fun training camp all around. I am looking forward to my new opportunity in Columbus in 2018 with a top-tier organization in this league.”

Cape Fear and Columbus, of course, play in two different leagues. But like every team in every sport, there is only one goal, no matter who the quarterback is – win the championship.

Columbus Lions Sign Quarterback Kyle Cool

The Columbus Lions have signed quarterback Kyle Cool for the 2018 season. Cool will enter his fourth professional season in a battle with veteran quarterback Mason Espinoza for the starting quarterback job.

Last season, Cool played for the defunct Corpus Christi Rage, who played in the National Arena League. In the past, Cool also played for the Salina Bombers, Omaha Beef, River City Raiders, and the Kansas Koyotes. During the 2017 season, Cool played in seven games for the Rage, completing 25 of 71 passing attempts, and throwing for a total of 357 yards. He also had a total of 5 touchdowns, and averages 51 yards per game.

He will fill in the void that was open when quarterback Darren Daniel left the team and signed with the American Arena League’s High Country Grizzlies. Whether Cool or Espinoza starts for the 2018 season, the Lions will have a reliable backup quarterback either way.

Cool is among several big signings for the Lions this off-season, along with some re-signings too. Columbus has brought on several SEC and college standouts who will be new to the game. The Lions will once again be strong competitors for the NAL Title, as they have already “roared” loudly this off-season with some great signings. It will be interesting to see how the Lions perform for the upcoming season.