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Columbus Lions Dominate in Historic 2026 Home Opener
- Corry Black
- Apr 20
- 2 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Columbus, GA – April 16, 2026 – The Columbus Lions opened the 2026 season in dominant fashion, defeating the Tri-City RiverGators 79-0 at the Columbus Civic Center in front of an electric home crowd.
From the opening kickoff, the Lions controlled the game on both sides of the ball. The offense delivered an explosive performance through the air, as quarterbacks Blaine Espinosa and Michael Hill combined for 168 passing yards and 7 touchdowns. Espinosa threw for four touchdowns, while Hill added three more, leading a balanced and efficient attack.
The Lions’ receiving unit proved to be a major factor in the win. Jacyais Credle recorded three touchdown receptions for 76 yards, while Jacob Smith contributed two touchdowns and 77 yards, helping Columbus consistently capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Defensively, the Lions delivered a historic performance, holding Tri-City to just 18 total yards on the night. The defensive front applied relentless pressure, highlighted by DeAndre Brown’s five sacks, while Mekall Yancie and Dekoven Ware added multiple tackles for loss and quarterback pressures. The Lions also forced multiple turnovers, completely shutting down the RiverGators’ offense.
Tri-City was limited to only 28 passing yards and negative rushing yards, as the Lions’ defense recorded one of the most dominant shutouts in franchise history.
Off the field, the home opener delivered a first-class entertainment experience for fans. National recording artist Tonio Armani headlined the night with a live performance alongside the G.W. Carver High School Mighty Marching Tigers, creating a high-energy halftime show that brought the crowd to its feet and highlighted the strong connection between the team and the local community.
With a packed arena, a high-energy pregame party, and the debut of the Lions’ brand-new turf, the 2026 home opener marked a major moment for the organization and its fans.
Final Score:
Columbus Lions 79, Tri-City RiverGators 0
The Lions will look to build on this momentum as they return to the field next week for another exciting matchup at the Columbus Civic Center.
For tickets, visit the Columbus Lions box office or go to ColumbusLions.com.
About the Columbus Lions
The Columbus Lions are a professional indoor football team based in Columbus, Georgia, competing in the American Arena League. The organization is committed to providing high-energy sports entertainment while making a meaningful impact in the community.
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Media Contact:
Columbus Lions Front Office
1-833-GO-LIONS
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