The Wildcats blew open a close game in the second half to cruise to their second-straight victory over the Silverbacks.

After a scoreless first quarter, Wheeling marked the scoreboard first with a seven-yard pitch-and-catch from Rod Rutherford to David Dinkins. After Miami Valley blocked the PAT, the Wildcats led 6-0.

The Silverbacks (0-6) answered with a seven-yard touchdown of their own. Jeremy Greenleaf, who returned as the starter under center for Miami Valley after being injured two weeks ago, hit Josh Davis. Travis Johnson hit the PAT to give the Silverbacks a 7-6 lead.

Johnson then gave the Silverbacks a 10-6 lead when he nailed a 40-yard field goal.

Wheeling took the lead back for good on the ensuing possession when Dayon Chambers powered in from two yards out. Rutherford converted the two-point try with a run, giving Wheeling a 14-10 advantage.

Johnson nailed his second field goal of the game shortly thereafter, converting on a 32-yard try to make it 14-13 at the break.

The second half belonged to Wheeling. The Wildcats got a 50-yard missed field goal return from Vaughn Rivers to make it 20-13 with 1:40 to go in the third and followed that up with a Rutherford four-yard run to make it 26-13 with 9:12 left in the game.

Eric Wick’s capped the scoring with a minute remaining when he returned an interception to the house.

The Wheeling Wildcats were chasing their second win this season but the Marion Mayhem had a different idea in mind.  With a final score of 61-57, the Wildcats made a gallant effort, coming back from a 14 point deficit in the first half to take the lead in the 4^th quarter.  Mayhem had a final burst of energy to regain the lead with only 8 seconds left in the game.  Wildcats didn’t give up, but continued to battle for the win.  Unfortunately their attempt fell short. 

Eric Wicks, last week's defensive player of the week for the CIFL, shows that he can play offense as well.  Eric Wicks goes up strong to take the ball away from the defender for the touchdown.  

 Eugene Baker, the touchdown maker, goes down low to make a spectacular catch for one of his two touchdowns for the night. 

The CIFL website has a wonderful and detailed article about the game.

Wheeling, WV- Fans will be able to view the Wheeling Wildcats @ Miami Valley Silverbacks Game Live thanks to the Miami County Post.  The Wildcats will travel to Hobart arena in Troy OH on Sunday April 19th in a critical divisional matchup as the Wildcats attempt to earn their first win in franchise history.  Fans can watch the game streaming live begining at 3:00pm ET on Sunday April 19th 2009 at http://www.miamicountypost.com/.   Fans unable to view the game online can listen to all of the action via the CIFL Radio Network.

                                                                              CLICK HERE TO CATCH ALL THE ACTION

WHEELING, W.Va.—Chicago survived a scare from Wheeling to stay unbeaten, winning 67-59 over the Wildcats at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling, W.Va.

After trading field goals to start the game, Chicago took a 10-3 lead with 2:34 left in the first quarter when reigning CIFL Offensive Player of the Week Russ Michna dove in from two yards out.

Wheeling swung the momentum in its favor early in the second quarter, thanks in large part to the feet of quarterback Rod Rutherford. The University of Pittsburgh product ran in from 11 yards out and added a 13-yard scoring run less than six minutes later after Eric Wicks picked off a Michna pass.

Those two scores gave Wheeling a 17-10 lead.

Chicago tied the game up with 5:13 left in the half when Sidney Lewis picked off Rutherford and returned it 43 yards to paydirt. The Slaughter then took the lead back on a 16-yard scoring run by Reggie Gray with 2:39 left in the second.

Eugene Baker’s 23-yard scoring reception from Rutherford made it 24-all, but Michna hit Donovan Morgan on a 13-yard pass to give the Slaughter a 31-24 lead at the break.

The two teams traded a pair of scores in the third quarter. Wheeling scored on a 41-yard pass to Brandon Jackson, followed by a Prentiss Purnell four-yard touchdown catch for Chicago. The Wildcats then got a one-yard scoring run from Rutherford and Chicago answered with a 28-yard hookup between Michna and Morgan.

By the end of the third, the Slaughter led 45-39.

Chicago pushed its lead to two scores to start the fourth on a Michna to Morgan seven-yard pass, effectively putting the game out of reach.

The two teams would again trade a pair of scores down the stretch, including a pair of 24-yard scoring catches by Baker for Wheeling and a 25-yard scoring reception by Morgan and a 23-yard scoring reception by Dontrell Jackson for Chicago.

Wheeling cut Chicago’s lead back to eight points with 4:24 left on a Rutherford one-yard run, but would never get the ball back.

Michna finished 18-of-34 for 223 yards and six touchdowns and Morgan had seven catches for 108 yards and four scores.

Rutherford was 11-of-22 for 204 yards and four scores through the air and had 11 carries for 45 yards and four scores on the ground. Baker caught six balls for 100 yards and three touchdowns.

The Wildcats will return home to face Divisional Rival Fort Wayne Freedom on March 28^th

Marion, OH-  The Wheeling Wildcats dropped the 2009 season opener on the road to the Marion Mayhem by a score of 55-47.  The Wildcats (0-1) were making their 2009 debut in the Continental Indoor Football League against the Mayhem (1-0) who were fresh off back to back CIFL playoff appearances.  The two teams traded scores throughout the action-packed contest.  The Wildcats led 14-13 after the first quarter on a 1 yard run by Rod Rutherford and a 47 yard touchdown pass from Rod Rutherford to David Dinkins.  Dinkins stunned the home crowd by going the distance on a screen pass from Rutherford on 3^rd and 18.  Marion would answer and eventually take the lead with 50 seconds remaining in the first half on a 18 yard pass from former Ohio State quarterback Stanley Jackson to Ian Schmidt to make the score 27-21 at the half. 

Wheeling, WV-   The Wheeling Wildcats have announced the signing of former NFL WR Eugene Baker to a contract for the 2009 season.  Baker (6’1, 180) a 5^th Round NFL Draft Pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 1999 out of Kent State University brings 7 years of NFL experience to the Wildcats.  Baker has spent time on the active roster and practice squads of the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, St. Louis Rams, Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Baker has the additional experience of playing in NFL Europe with the Berlin Thunder, and spent time with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL.  On June 3^rd, 2008 Baker joined the Erie RiverRats of the American Indoor Football Association.  Baker quickly adapted to the indoor game finishing with 24 catches for 339 yards and 5 touchdowns in only 3 games for the Rats. 

“Eugene Baker is a tremendous playmaker who we are thrilled to have on board for the 2009 season.  He is extremely talented, and his resume and ability speaks for itself.  Eugene Baker is a game-breaker who has the ability to be one of the top receivers in the league,” commented Head Coach Shawn Liotta.

The Wheeling Wildcats of the Continental Indoor Football League have named Dr. David R. Hanna, Department Chair and Program Director of the Department of Athletic Training at Wheeling Jesuit University, as the team's head athletic trainer for the 2009 season.  Hanna brings a wealth of athletic training experience to the Wildcats. In addition to serving as an athletic trainer for various sports at both the high school and college levels, Hanna was the head athletic trainer for the Wheeling Nailers hockey team from 1999 until 2004 and head athletic trainer for the Ohio Valley Greyhounds indoor football franchise from 1999 until 2003.

Wheeling, WV-  The Wheeling Wildcats have announced the signing of three offensive linemen to contracts for the 2009 season.   Ron Idoko (6’3, 300) from the University of Pittsburgh, Jamar “Buck” Foulks (6’4, 340) of Mansfield, and Levon Barlow  (6’1, 290) of Duquesne University have been added to the Wildcats 2009 roster.   “It all starts with the guys up-front, and I am very pleased to have these talented offensive lineman with us for 2009.  This is a very talented and experienced group who will provide great pass protection to fuel our offensive attack,” commented Wildcats Head Coach Shawn Liotta.