It’s football, for sure, but it’s different, too.
There are first downs and touchdowns, first-and-10s and fourth-and-goals just like we see under those Friday night lights and in college and the NFL, but there’s a pace and a pulse to Miners games that sets arena football apart.
That’s why Wheeling’s owner, Chris Duffy, believes his team’s championship game against Columbus this Saturday night at 7 p.m. at WesBanco Arena is the top ticket in town – especially with hip hop group “95 South” performing at halftime.
“When a football fan goes to an NFL game, they have to use binoculars to get a good look at their favorite players on the field,” Duffy said. “That’s because without them, they all look like 3-inch stick figures when they’re that far away, and there’s no way a fan is going to get a high-five from any of their favorite NFL players. Arena football, though, puts our fans down on a personal level with our players.
“The players can hear you, they can see you, they do high-five you, they interact with you, and sometimes they end up in the stands,” he explained. “It’s a high-scoring, fast-paced football game with a lot of entertainment. It’s a great mix and our fans love it.”
While the Miners are set for battle against the Columbus Lions in the AAL Championship, the AAL2 title will be decided at WesBanco Arena tomorrow afternoon when the Steel City Stampede takes on the Peach State Cats at 1 p.m.
“We’re really pumped for this weekend with both the championship games being played here in Wheeling, and the first game is going to be a terrific game because both Steel Valley and Peach State have very good teams,” Duffy said. “And I can tell you the entire Miners organization is excited to be back where we belong and to get to this point. It’s about working hard all season long, and a lot of other players who don’t have the chance to play for the title. Our players do, and they’re ready.
“This is our second championship game in three years, and we’re very proud to be in this position against a team we know very well. We’ve had two very tight games with Columbus during the regular season,” he said. “It’s going to be an exciting evening and we’re hoping that our home crowd comes out to support us because the Lions have buses of fans coming to Wheeling.”
Three Points. Two Defeats.
The matchup against Columbus became a rivalry very quickly for the Miners this season, especially since the Lions defeated Wheeling twice by a total of just three points.
The two teams played for the first time in May, and Columbus escaped with a 46-44 victory, and a couple of weeks later, the Lions came from behind to defeat the Miners, 32-31. The two defeats represent Wheeling’ s only blemishes on a season that’s included canceled contests because of scheduling conflicts at WesBanco Arena.
“We’ve experienced a lot of organizational changes since last season, and while we were all rooting for the Nailers, we did have changes to our home schedule, and there was a loss of revenue,” Duffy said. “But we’ve worked hard to overcome those challenges, and it’s paid off because we’ll be on that field Saturday night.
“We had the chance to honor the Nailers at one of our games, and we’re very proud to root for them and work with them, too. The city has a great history with the game of hockey,” he said. “That’s what we’re trying to build in Wheeling, and playing for the league championship is a big part of that.”
Duffy is a businessman in the Jacksonville, Fla., area, and he’s traveled north to Wheeling a plethora of times since January to plan and organize the 2026 season and for each of the team’s home games.
That’s because he loves the arena game, and he sees a positive future taking shape in Wheeling.
“I love the town because of the atmosphere and the energy,” Duffy said. “People are really nice in the valley, and there’s a lot of history and that makes it a very special place. I know it was a booming town at one time, and I can see it growing again. I keep my eye on the housing markets and I see sales going up and property values going up.
“I’ve noticed an influx of people moving to Wheeling from other areas in Ohio and Pennsylvania, so I see the area as a growing community with a lot of amenities,” he said. “I’m sure there will always be people who will say there’s nothing to do in Wheeling, but I just shake my head when I hear that.
“Instead of saying that, come see the Wheeling Miners play for the AAL championship this Saturday night. It’s going to be a great game,” he added. “The game, ’75 South’ at halftime, and hopefully a big win for our organization – that sounds like something to do right there.”
(Cover Photo: Miners owner Chris Duffy and AJ Roque – the owner of the Jersey Bearcats and AAL league – met before Wheeling’s semifinal win two weeks ago.)
