The West Virgina Gladiators, out of Morgantown, made the 150 mile trip down I79 to take on the defending National Champion West Virginia Lightning at U.C. Stadium in Charleston Saturday night. The Lightning found themselves at home in the friendly confines of Laidly Field for only the second time in the 2009 season. Following a loss on the road to the Akron (OH) Jagz last week, the Lightning were eager to start what they hope will be another long winning streak. After a 3-and-out on their initial posession, the Lightning offense found their stride. With quarterback Lucas Wright sidelined with a shoulder injury, the offense didn't miss a beat with veteran Travis Jones at the helm. The defense, dispite given a short field on several occasions, surrendered only 6 points.
Lightning - 32
Gladiators - 6
To see the re-broadcast of this game provided through Ustream.TV, presented by the Champs Sports Network, click here.
The West Virginia Lightning would like to thank our friends at the Champs Sports Network for their season-long coverage, gameday broadcasts, and weekly presentation of Inside Lightning Football. Please be sure to visit their website!
New Home for the Lightning in 2009 Announced!
With a new season comes a new home. The West Virginia Lightning are pleased to announce that University of Charleston Stadium at Laidley Field will be the venue for the Lightning for all 2009 regular season home games. The Lightning enjoyed unprecedented success in their inaugural season in 2008, and look to continue that success in 2009 on the field, and in the Charleston and surrounding communities.
Come out and support your 2008 USFA, and Midwestern Regional National Champions! 2009 schedule to be released soon!
We would like to thank the local media for their coverage and support of the West Virginia Lightning in the 2009 season.
Click the link below to see a nice article from the
Charleston Gazette
about some of the history of Semi-Pro football in the Charleston / Huntington area.
The Lightning finished the 2008 season as National Champions in the Midwest Region and ranked #4 in the nation. Click here to visit the official American Football News website to see the complete rankings.
Lightning RB Jerome Smith(#4) breaks tackles as the Lightning become the first Charestlon-area team to win a National Championship in 13 years
Photo courtesy of Chris Dorst from the Sunday Gazette-Mail
West Virginia Lightning National Champions!
The West Virginia Lightning and Northeast Missouri Cyclones squared off at Laidly Field last Saturday night, each team knowing very little about the other. What each team did know was that their opponent was undefeated during the 2008 season with a record of 13-0, had won their respective leagues, and a National Championship Title was on the line. About 200+ spectators braved the December cold and wind to watch the American Football News(AFN) and National Football Events(NFE) sanctioned championship game. The Cyclones represented the Great Midwest Football League (GMFL), while the first-year Lightning represented the 32 team power-house United States Football Alliance (USFA).
The Cyclones started off the scoring when QB Mike McMullen hit WR Shannon Lightfoot for a 40 yard touchdown to take a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter, but the Lightning didn't take long to answer. Just as they had many times during the 2008 season, QB Lucas Wright hooked up WR Kenny Davis for an 81 yard touchdown reception with 51 seconds remaining in the first quarter. After the Lightning failed to convert on the extra-point try, the score at the end of the first quarter was 7-6 Cyclones. The Lightning defense, as usual, was very stingy. After stopping the Cyclones on a 3rd down and short, Cyclones kicker Will Rodriguez failed to hit on a 30-yard field goal attempt, and again later missed 49-yard attempt. After another big defensive stand, and a 36 yard Mark Littlejohn punt return, the Lightning offense got back on track as QB Lucas Wright connected with another one of his All-Star group of receivers. USFA league-leading WR Steve Jones made a fantastic catch in the corner of the end zone for a 21 yard TD pass. Another failed extra-point try made the score 12-7 at the half.
The Lightning started the second half eating the clock behind the power running game of First-Team USFA league All Star RB Jerome Smith. After a scoreless 3rd quarter, Lucas Wright once again found Steve Jones on an 8 yard touchdown pass with 4:20 remaining in the game. Former Capital High School standout, WVU alumni, and former NFL defensive back Ricky Sherrod intercepted a Mike McMullen pass late in the game, and seemed to seal the Lightning victory. But as the Lightning tried to kill the clock, the Cyclone defense rose to the occasion by forcing and recovering a fumble. With two minutes remaining in the game, Cyclones' RB Keenan Miller rushed in for a 1 yard TD, and after the successful 2-point try, the Lightning lead was cut to 18-15. The Cyclones then attempted an on-side kick which was recovered by Lightning WR Steve Jones. With no timeouts remaining, the Lightning went into victory formation and would kneel the ball to drain the clock. Lightning quarterback Lucas Wright finished the game going 14-24 for 269 yards with 3 TDs and no interceptions. Cyclones quarterback Mike McMullen completed 18-of-31 passes for 216 yards and 1 interception.
The Lightning organization would like to thank the Northeast Missouri Cyclones for making the trip to Charleston, WV. We would also like to thank all of our sponsors who made this game, and the 2008 season possible. Please be sure to visit our sponsors' page. Support those who support the Lightning!
Congratulations to the following members of the
West Virginia Lightning for being named to the 2008 USFA All-Star Team!!
Quarterback
18-Lucas Wright-Lightning --- First Team
Halfback
4-Jerome Smith-Lightning --- Second Team
6-Tony "Boss" Green-Lightning --- Honorable Mention
Offensive Line
60-Chris "Moose" Hughes-Lightning --- First Team
69-Jeff Warren-Lightning --- First Team
77-Mike Bonarota-Lightning --- Second Team
Wide Receiver
2-Kenny Davis-Lightning --- First Team
3-Steve Jones-Lightning --- First Team
86-John Pennington-Lightning --- Second Team
Punter
27-Tony Dunbar-Lightning --- First Team
Defensive Tackle
97-Larry More-Lightning --- First Team
58-Layman "Perm" Thomas-Lightning --- Second Team
Defensive End
0-Willie Hampton-Lightning --- First Team
Linebacker
5-Bobby Felder-Lightning --- First Team
23-Thomas Abernathy-Lightning --- First Team
12-Dion Dean-Lightning --- Third Team
Cornerback
6-Trey Murril-Lightning --- First Team
Sponsorship
Your support is gladly accepted, and greatly appreciated. The West Virginia Lightning offer many advertisement packages in exchange for tax-deductible donations. In addition to revenue from ticket sales, we also rely on sponsorship by many of our community businesses to meet both league and team expenses. If you would like to support your local sports team and would like to become a sponsor, please send an email to the West Virginia Lightning. Thank you for your support!
Please be sure to stop by our Sponsors page. Support those local businesses which support our team!
