Warren Smith, Jr. Will Win the 2017 National Arena League MVP

The National Arena League is set to announce several awards during their first awards banquet on Sunday night, July 9. One of the awards will be the National Arena League Most Valuable Player (MVP).

There are really only two candidates for the MVP award in the NAL. Jacksonville Sharks running back Derrick Ross and Lehigh Valley Steelhawks quarterback Warren Smith Jr have been the two best players in the league’s first year. However, when it comes to an award such as MVP, the winner is chosen by who has been most valuable to their team.

Ross has dominated the run game all season along and will finish with the league’s rushing title. But if he were as valuable, his team wouldn’t have struggled offensively like they have. When it comes to Smith, he had the Steelhawks as the hottest team in the league until their loss to the Columbus Lions.

While Smith did have help with his offensive weapons in Darius Prince, Brandon Renford, Warren Oliver and others, no one knows how the team would’ve fared with anyone other than Smith as their quarterback.

Not only that, but when it comes to league MVPs, the quarterback is mainly favored, as well. The reasoning behind this is because generally the quarterback is the one who leads the team down the field on each drive.

Smith’s stats also help prove his case. He threw for 1,953 yards in the inaugural NAL season. The next best passing game comes from Darren Daniel (1,611 yards passing) and he doesn’t even start for the Lions anymore.

Ross may dominate the run game in the NAL and he may be the one of the most impressive players, but Warren Smith Jr has been the most valuable player. That’s why he will claim the award for the NAL MVP on Sunday night, July 9 at the awards banquet.

National Arena League Playoff Preview: Lehigh Valley Steelhawks vs Columbus Lions

The Columbus Lions are looking to become the first ever NAL champion, but they must beat the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks before they think about winning a title. The Lions are facing off against Lehigh Valley on Friday for the right to advance to the championship game. The game will be played at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

The Lions got off to a slow start to the season, as they were just 3-3 after an April 29 loss to the Jacksonville Sharks. Since that loss, the Lions have not lost a single game, as they finished the season by winning five straight games.

The Lions played the Steelhawks once this season, and they lost 60-54. Columbus has played two quarterbacks this season. Darren Daniel has played in eight games, and he threw for 1,476 yards and 37 touchdowns this season. The Lions other quarterback, Mason Espinosa, threw for 953 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Lions best receiver all season long was Michael Reeve, who compiled 764 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Receivers Jarmon Forston and Tristan Purifoy combined for 32 touchdowns. On defense, the Lions are anchored by Kyle Griswould, who recorded 10 interceptions, and brought back four of those for touchdowns.

The Steelhawks have been fantastic all season long, with their only loss coming to Jacksonville earlier in the season. Quarterback Warren Smith Jr. has been phenomenal for the Steelhawks. Smith threw for 1,953 yards and 56 touchdowns this season. His top weapon is Darius Prince, who caught 20 touchdowns this season. These two teams are looking for a spot in the championship game. The Lions are looking to win their third straight championship after winning two in two different leagues over the last two years.

Columbus Lions Shut Out Dayton Wolfpack, 77-0

The Columbus Lions knew they had to take care of business against the lowly Dayton Wolfpack, and to say they took care of business in tonight’s game is a large understatement. After getting off to a slow start, the Lions exploded in the last three quarters to blast the Wolfpack 77-0.

The Lions would score their only points of the first quarter when Darren Daniel connected with Jarmon Forston to put Columbus up 7-0. After the Wolfpack turned it over on downs, the Lions took advantage. Daniel found Gregory Hollinger in the end zone to extend the Lions lead to 13-0.

Dayton would turn the ball over again when Kyle Griswould recorded yet another interception to give Lions the ball back. The Lions would take control when Tristan Purifoy caught two consecutive touchdowns to put the Lions up 25-0. Griswould would get his second interception of the half, which would set up a Lions touchdown that gave them a commanding 32-0 lead.

After the Lions recovered a fumble, Hollinger would score on the ground to give Columbus a 39-0 lead at halftime. Daniel would be taken out after the Lions dominating first half, and Columbus didn’t slow down in the second half. Mason Espinosa would throw two touchdowns in relief of Daniel. Columbus would end up defeating the Wolfpack 77-0. Hollinger and Purifoy both had three touchdowns for the Lions. The Wolfpack won’t play again until June 3, when they play the Jacksonville Sharks in their season finale.

The Lions will get a little bit more of a challenge next week when they travel to take on the High Country Grizzlies.

Columbus Lions Defeat Monterrey Steel, 48-18

After a tough loss to the Jacksonville Sharks last week, the Columbus Lions were looking to bounce back. They took on the Monterrey Steel on Saturday night, and they defeated the Steel pretty easily.

Columbus trounced the Steel 48-18, and they did this after getting out to a 29-point halftime lead. Monterrey would get on the board first and rather quickly, as they scored with 10:14 still remaining in the first quarter. Monterrey would get the ball right back after Darren Daniel threw an interception. They failed to take advantage, as they missed a field goal.

The Lions would tie the game up at seven when Daniel found Mike Reeve for a touchdown at the end of the first quarter. The Lions would regain possession after they blocked a Steel field goal attempt. Columbus would quickly score to take their first lead of the night.

The Lions would get fantastic field position after the Steel turned it over on downs. After two more touchdowns and a two-point conversion, the Lions wound up with a commanding 36-7 lead at halftime.

Columbus would fumble, which gave Monterrey great field position. The Steel would capitalize as they scored a touchdown and a two-point conversion to cut the lead to 36-15. Monterrey would trail by 18 after three quarters. The Lions would take control after scoring two more touchdowns to end up winning 48-18.

Both teams had some issues with each other, as they scuffled, which led to three ejections. The Lions will take a week off before returning home to face the Dayton Wolfpack.