The Maine Mammoths Arena League football team fell to 1-7 with their fifth straight loss in their inaugural season in the National Arena League on Saturday night, getting roughed up by the Columbus Lions 55-34 at the Columbus Civic Center in Columbus, Georgia.
Maine gave quarterback Kenyatte Allen his first start as the signal caller. Allen did throw a pair of touchdown passes, one to Devin Wilson and another to Edgar Allen Poe, but also threw three interceptions to help the Lions improve to 5-2. Mammoths kicker Henry Nell did go 3/3 on extra points, 3/3 on field goals, and added a pair of deuces for two points each in the game. Nell earned the NAL special teams player of the week award with his performance.
Maine got within eight at 42-34 late in the third quarter, before a touchdown catch by Triston Purifoy and a touchdown run by Quanyvon Hicks put the game away. Hicks rushed for three scores on the night, while quarterback Mason Espinosa threw for 266 yards and five touchdowns. Purifoy had 11 catches for 111 yards and three touchdowns. The Lions defense had three sacks, forced two fumbles, and had the three interceptions of Allen.
Maine returns home to host the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks on Saturday at 7 pm. Lehigh is winless at 0-7. Maines only win was a 45-24 victory at Lehigh back on April 21st.
