Lima Warriors Football

LIMA -- The Lima Warriors won the national championship and United States Football Alliance Championship two seasons ago with defense and they have kicked off a new run of that title with more of the same.

"Mt. Carmel did some good things and also showed us that we still have some things to work on," said Warriors Director of Operation Aaron Matthews.

It was apparent from the beginning that he Fire arrived with more players on the roster than last season and had a new energetic coaching staff.

"The Warriors are gonna be one of the top teams this season," Mt. Carmel running back Shawn Abdelmassih said. "There were no major injuries and both squads learned a little more about their teams, so everything worked out for the best."

Last year's "Ultimate Warrior", QB Kaene Runion and Offensive Lineman of the Year Tyler Covert and the rest of the offense that led the 2008 playoff run also came up big in spoiling much success from the Fire defense.

The win was a fun-filled pre-season night for Lima fans, who saw another look at their hometown team.

The Lima Warriors will face the Ohio Outlawz on Saturday at Lima Stadium for the final pre-season action at 7:30 p.m.  The game time was changed to later in the evening because of a previously scheduled track meet at Lima Senior High School. The scrimmage will be played under the lights with referees, unlike the first two of the pre-season. The scrimmage format is full game length and punts and punt returns are live.  There will also be no kickoffs, the receiving team will start on the 35-yard line, extra points and field goals are live and there will be no contact allowed on the QB's.

The Lima Warriors and Outlawz (Kenton) have a healthy competitive atmosphere when they play due to the proximity to one another and drawing from the same talent pool. There were over 2,000 fans in attendance at Lima Stadium on July 26 of last season to witness the 46-20 Warriors victory.

Coordinator Rod Inbody and his defense will make sure to step up their game as they face former Warriors Offensive Coordinator Sean Liles for the first time, who now coaches with the Outlawz. Liles will be familiar with Lima's defensive checks, which should make for an entertaining night.

Lima starts the regular season May 30 in Battle Creek Michigan and have had a lot of success on the road. They have won their last 12 away from Lima Stadium, but were 4-2 at home in 2008, including a playoff loss.

In the midst of the hype of all the new teams in the United States Football Alliance, the Warriors might be getting overlooked when it comes to their chances of returning as champions and they are on a mission to prove the doubters wrong.

Offensive lineman John Lance recently spoke to his team about coming up short in the playoffs last season and what he expects from his team.

"I refuse to sit back and watch this team go through what they did last year," Lance said.  "We need to come ready to play and excited to be a Warrior."

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