WARRIORS TRAVEL TO WEST VIRGINIA

Lima looks to keep their win streak going as they prepare to battle the West Virginia Crash for the first time ever.

By Joel Renner

Lima Warriors Chief Staff Reporter

7/11/07 – LIMA, OH -- The Warriors have only traveled to the state of West Virginia to play an opponent once and that was for the 2003 OVFL Conference championship.  The Warriors season ended that day, when they lost to the Mountain State Titans 12-7.

But this is a different year, now the top-ranked Warriors look to stay undefeated and continue their run at United States Football Alliance Championship Saturday when they visit the Crash.

The last time the Warriors traveled to another state besides Michigan to play a game was on Oct. 16, 2004, when the Warriors squared off against the Hardin County Wolverines in Kentucky.   A young Lima team was excited after three straight playoff wins.  A 24-7 loss spoiled the Warriors’ hopes of a championship, but the results look to be a bit different this time around.  The loss against the Wolverines has sparked the amazing 27 wins and four losses since and the hope of a 2007 season-ending championship celebration has the team excited.

 The Warriors (6-0, 5-0 USFA) have stayed off the losing side again this season, rattling off six consecutive wins – including three over ranked opponents.  The last Warriors team to begin the season 6-0 was the 2004 team, which holds the franchise record for most wins in a season at 14.

The Warriors again appear to be a championship-caliber team.  They are averaging 40 points and 347.7 yards this season and also led by the lightening-fast defense, whose 13 points allowed leads the USFA.

Quarterback Justin Henderson connected on nearly all his passes in his short time playing against Northwest Ohio last week and completed 67 percent (6 of 9) overall for 106 yards and accounted for two touchdowns en route to a 75-0 win.  The offensive and defensive lines controlled the whole game, helping them earn Fat Jack’s Pizza players of the week honors.

“We’re going to go full speed at the Crash, be aggressive, knock some heads, do some ball hawking, and put up a lot of points,” Warriors coach John Parkins said.

Joe Butcher, a fourth-year receiver, has been one of Henderson’s favorite targets this season with 14 receptions 323 yards, including a solid game with two catches for 69 yards and a TD last week.

The Warriors have also had success on the ground with Glenn White, who leads the team with 29 carries for 213 yards and seven touchdowns.  The six-year veteran ran hard with six carries for 50 yards last week and had his second two-touchdown game of the year.

The Warriors have a very high percentage in the red zone this season with 32 offensive touchdowns and one field goal.  While the offense has been impressive, Lima’s defense – which boasts a great mix of veterans and newcomers – has been dominant.

The Warriors lead the league in scoring defense (2.2) and have six interceptions, 10 away from the total they had all of last year.  They also lead the USFA with 34 sacks.

Those numbers will likely only improve as the Warriors’ victory last weekend marked the first of five straight matchups against struggling teams.  Lima’s next four opponents—West Virginia, Southern Ohio, Delphos and Motor City—are teams in the USFA that the Warriors expect to beat.

The Warriors, though, aren’t looking past West Virginia, which posted key victories in weeks three and five over the Southern Ohio Patriots and the Butler County Blazers.

“I watched video of the Crash verses the Jagz’ and they did play Akron hard,” said Warriors tight end Kaene Runion, who is second on the team in receiving yards with 227.  “I’m glad we got the game in against the Raiders to help build our confidence before we play West Virginia, because they are going to be a tough team.”

The Crash (3-2) came up short in their second time facing the Patriots with a 10-6 loss last week.  The game was named the USFA Game Of The Week and the Crash look to bounce back in the comfort of their home facilities.

Just like with previous games, the Warriors look to show their ability to close out teams this season as it has outscored opponents 46-0 in the fourth quarter.

The Crash opened the season with two straight wins before playing tough against the Akron Jagz on June 23, but lost the game 24-14.

The Crash may have hit a skid though after last week’s loss to the Patriots.  The Crash began the scoring on a 7yrd TD run by running back Jay Walker for a quick 6-0 lead in the first period. The Crash defense couldn’t stop Patriots’ quarterback Rick Staley though who found Dame Cogar for a 56-yard TD pass and Southern Ohio’s lone touchdown right before halftime.  Patriots’ Kicker Guido Fellers finished the scoring with a 41-yard field goal at 3:24 in the third quarter.  The Crash made a push in the final two minutes of the game, but quarterback Damieon Mills fourth down sneak attempt came up short and the Patriots ran out the remaining 29 seconds for the victory.

The Warriors have chartered two buses for the trip to Huntington, West Virginia and the buses leave at 8 am from the Eastgate Plaza on Harding Highway in Lima.  Warriors’ fans interested should contact team president John Bell for the few seats still available.  The cost of the round-trip is $35 per person, including unlimited beverages.

The coaching staff is aware of the toll a long road-trip can have on a team, but they will do everything possible to make sure there won’t be any mental blocks due to the trip.

“By the time that we start kickoff, I want to make sure that the volume is turned up and Warriors’ football is what it is,” Parkins said.