Wheeling Hosting Dual Championships As Miners Meet Lions
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WHEELING - The Ohio Valley is well-known for its passion for the game of football. Saturday, that devoted fanbase will be able to watch a pair of championship games inside WesBanco Arena.
Prior to the AAL Championship Game between the Wheeling Miners (6-2) and Columbus (Ga.) Lions (8-0) at 7 p.m., the AAL2 title tilt between the Peach State (Ga.) Cats (8-2) will battle the Steel City Stampeders (9-0) at 1 p.m. The Stampeders are based in Allentown, Pa.
According to Miners General Manager Chris Cipriani, WesBanco Arena hosting the two games came as a result of scheduling conflicts with the Lions' home building - the Columbus Civic Center.
"It's similar to what we were subjected to with the Wheeling Nailers this summer. The league (AAL) wanted both games played at the same site, but issues with Columbus trying to orchestrate that didn't work out."
He was referring to the Nailers playing playoff games inside the downtown facility and forcing the Miners to re-schedule games.
Officials at WesBanco Arena directed questions about how the doubleheader came about to Miners' management.
"When we met at the beginning of the season to discuss the championship game, every team put down some dates that were available," Miners' owner Chris Duffy said. "Unfortunately, the only date Columbus had available was a Monday and that wouldn't work."
"We're excited," Miners' head coach Chris McKinney said following practice Tuesday morning. "It was a tough start to our season. We started slow, but we played the defending champions (Columbus) in our first game and I thought we played exceptionally well on the road after a 12-to-14 hour bus trip.
"We had the game won but lost on the final plays of the game," he recalled of the 46-44 loss. "I think ever since then that we've been building on knowing that we are the only team that can beat us. We have done well ever since. We've started slow offensively in some games, but we've picked it up after halftime, made adjustments and done well.
"I'm proud of the guys for fighting hard to get back to this point," McKinney added. "We've fought hard to get to the championship game and, luckily, it's right here on our own field. Hopefully, come Saturday night we get a good home crowd. If we do so, we'll be hard to beat."
Wheeling advanced to the championship game with a 36-9 semifinal victory over the Jersey Bearcats. Columbus defeated Mississippi in the other semifinal, 46-6.
Marco Lee led the Lions offense on the ground, rushing for four touchdowns. Quarterback Blaine Espinosa was also efficient, completing 10 of 18 passes for two touchdowns and one interception.
The Lions’ defense stole the show, however, holding the Wolfpack to just one touchdown and only 45 total yards of offense.
This will be the third meeting between Wheeling and Columbus, with Columbus also prevailing in the Friendly City. The two games were decided by a total of three points.
"We're not worried about the two previous games. We're just focused on taking care of ourselves," McKinney noted. "I think we've got a good game plan, the better players and the better team. With playing at home, it's all set up for us to win it here."
McKinney said the Miners' defense has to be able to stop the Lions in the red zone.
"They have a very good running game inside the red zone. We must stop it. Outside of the red zone I think we have intercepted four passes and in each game against them. As long as we continue to force them into turnovers and take the ball away from them, I think we can win this game going away."
McKinney said the Lions mix up their defensive alignment a lot.
"They run what you call a 'double cloud' where it's tough to throw the ball deep," he said. "They make you work for every inch. Their defense is solid. They've got a Mike linebacker that blitzes a lot and he gets a lot of pressures and sacks. If we can slow him down, we'll be just fine."
Triggering the Miners offense is former Penn State standout Daryll Clark. The 6-2, 235-pounder is a two-way threat with his size.
"Daryll has shown me leadership, the same thing I saw when I coached against him," McKinney praised. "He's as good on his feet as he is passing the ball."