Well, folks, the regular season is over, and we are headed to the playoffs! Despite our previous takes on the games, at least one gave us much more than we expected. We witnessed heartbreak late , a Wheeling thrashing, and all we could handle from the AAL2 Playoffs. We break it all down, and preview the playoffs, all in this week’s Everything AAL!
Table of Contents
Week 10 AAL Game Reviews
Jersey 40 Columbus 54
You wouldn’t expect a ton from this game on the outlook, especially not a game that began on a Grant Jackson interception return for a touchdown . Though it was a rough start, Jersey returned the favor just six plays later on a touchdown toss to Ward. The entire first quarter would be a back-and-forth affair; it was arena-rules football being played as it was meant to be played.
Ultimately ending 15-6. The second was where things went off the rails…in a more unexpected way. After a Marco Lee touchdown to go up 21-6, it was looking like a typical Lions game, close for a bit…before the Offensive flame gets lit. Though Jersey welcomed all the smoke… A hard-fought, extended by penalties drive would finally see them score again with less than three to go. This time, on a Nathaniel catch and dart to the endzone. Once again… In the still back-and-forth game… Columbus would waste no time scoring, just a few plays later, on an Espinosa to Credle bomb to the end zone.
In an average arena football game, with typical rules, this is the point where you take a few shots to the endzone and go to half, hopefully down by just 6… But this is the American Arena League. Jersey would activate the Gold Ball on the following drive down by 13, looking for an opportunity to capture the lead or at least tie going into the half. Though the game clock read less than 60 seconds to go, Matteo and his band of scrappy receivers would use quick throws near the boards, and a broken tackle by Phillip Meikle to score the Gold Ball touchdown.
The two-point conversion would end in a thrown-away ball, and the Lions would hold onto the advantage 27-26. The next kickoff would go as badly for the Lions as the two-point conversion had for the Bearcats. A short line drive squib kick seemed to curve just past every Lion on its way down, a small scrum broke out after the final bounce, and Jersey came away with it! A QB scramble would see just enough room for Matteo to sprint down the sideline and punch in the touchdown!
It gave Jersey its first lead over Columbus all season, 32-27. Though the end of the first half ended with a lead, the second half wouldn’t see nearly the same production. Despite the Bearcats winning every statistical category outside of the rushing, the offense sputtered in the second half, only adding 8 more, while Columbus would double their score total. If not for the four interceptions and two Columbus touchdowns off of those interceptions, this game may have been much closer.
Matteo Rodriguez finished with 158 passing yards and three touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the completions to the wrong team. The 54-40 final doesn’t really tell the full story, but this game did show us something: Wheeling has shown us twice, Columbus is beatable, you just have to play a complete game. And more importantly, you have to contain Blaine Espinosa; his five total (3 Passing, 2 short-yard rushing) touchdowns have become typical, and until someone finds a way to rattle him, you’ll have a very hard time winning all four quarters.
It seemed as if no one on the home team’s offense was worn down going into the final fifteen, as they managed 21 points, and walked away with a perfect regular season on a fairly unstressful last few minutes. Overall, it was the kind of game we always knew Jersey could have against the top half of the AAL, and more than likely a major wake-up call for Damian Daniels and his staff heading into the playoffs.
Mississippi 6 Wheeling 35
The Wheeling Miners took care of business Saturday night against the Mississippi Wolfpack, securing a 35-6 victory. The atmosphere inside WesBanco Arena was intense as the Miners controlled the action from start to finish in their regular-season finale.
Despite being without key defenders JT Taylor (suspension) and Cameron Dixon (injury), Wheeling’s depth rose to the occasion and delivered a strong performance. One of the standout additions for the Miners was new kicker Austin Nestor, who was nearly flawless on the night, converting all five of his PAT attempts and providing a reliable spark for the special teams unit.
The Wheeling Miners’ offense remained red hot, led by Daryll Clark, who threw for 101 yards and three touchdowns while adding 22 rushing yards on a single carry. Clark wasted little time making an impact, connecting for touchdown passes on two of his first three attempts of the game. Alex Coleman continued to be a key playmaker, finding the end zone twice with a touchdown reception on the Miners’ opening offensive play and a rushing score later in the contest.
Ranius Daramola and Kendrey Thurman also contributed to the offensive attack, each hauling in a touchdown catch. Defensively, the Miners delivered another dominant performance. Edge rusher Raymond Cutts recorded the team’s lone interception of the night, while defensive lineman Robert Garrett turned in a standout effort up front. Garrett accounted for all three of Wheeling’s sacks, consistently disrupting the Wolfpack offense and helping anchor a defensive unit that allowed just six points.
Written By Shane Majoris
AAL Playoff Preview
Yes, all four AAL teams make the playoffs, but rest assured that is only for 2026. Many fans expressed mixed feelings on this, but as the league grows, things will be structured into a much different playoff structure. As for this season, it’s 1v4 and 2v3, as seen below.
(4)Mississippi at (1)Columbus
We have all seen the regular season and fully understand the differences in performance, but this isn’t going to be the 52-12 result we saw in Tunica just a few weeks back. While Columbus is currently undefeated and has only had a one-score game against Wheeling, we are convinced that this one may be a little closer. Several Key pieces, including William Walter (back from Injury), will take the field for Mississippi. Walters, by himself, adds an element to the Wolfpack offense that has been sorely missed to this point.
At the same time, this could turn into a typical Lions game and see the offense run up a massive total en route to a championship game. The Columbus offensive roster is largely intact up to this point, which is highly unusual at this point in the season, and defensively, it may be a bit much for Mississippi to overcome. If you glance at the Lions’ season stats you’ll find the same pattern, quarter by quarter consistency on offense; they haven’t been shut out in even a single quarter all season. The opposite is the case overall for Mississippi, only seeming to score in spurts, while the defense has had single quarters of 26+ points scored against them.
No matter how daunting this “David vs Goliath” situation may seem going into the game, it will be fun to track and see how the additions affect the final score, even in a Columbus win. In the end, we have them beating the Lions by two scores.
(3)Jersey at (2)Wheeling
The moment the entire season has been building toward has finally arrived—the AAL Playoffs. The Wheeling Miners (5-2) will host the Jersey Bearcats (5-3) at WesBanco Arena on June 27th in a first-round postseason showdown. Jersey enters the playoffs following a 54-40 loss to the Columbus Lions in its regular-season finale, but the Bearcats are still a dangerous and prepared opponent.
Wheeling defended its home turf against Jersey in the home opener and will now look to end the Bearcats’ season in the same building where that rivalry began. The Miners have been one of the league’s most consistent and dominant teams throughout the year. While special teams proved to be their kryptonite at times, those concerns have been addressed heading into the postseason.
Now, Wheeling takes the field stronger, more focused, and hungrier than ever with its sights set on an AAL Championship berth. A high-powered offense paired with a disciplined, hard-hitting defense gives the Miners all the tools needed to win this game and advance to the Championship.
Written By Shane Majoris
AAL Playoff Bracket
AAL2
Playoff Scores:
South Semi-Final
Carolina Predators 33 Carolina Aviators 54
East Championship Game
NJ Eagles 56 Steel City Stampede 58 (2OT)
North Championship Game
Michigan Raptors 20 Pittsburgh Outlaws 26
Updated AAL2 Playoff Bracket
Road to a Title: AAL2 Semi-Finals
North Vs East Semi-Final
Steel City Vs Pittsburgh Outlaws
The Pittsburgh Outlaws advance to the semifinal round to face the East Division Champion Steel City Stampede. The Outlaws enter following a hard-fought comeback victory, while the Stampede arrive fresh off a shootout win over the New Jersey Eagles.
Both organizations have established themselves as premier programs in developmental arena football, earning first-place finishes in their respective divisions. Steel City completed an undefeated regular season and remains the only non-professional team to hand Pittsburgh a loss this year.
The Stampede have demonstrated consistency and dominance on both sides of the ball all season long. Meanwhile, the Outlaws have shown the ability to overcome adversity, with an offense capable of erupting after a slow start and a defense that rises to the occasion in critical moments.
With state pride and a spot in the AAL2 Championship on the line, expect an intense showdown as two of the league’s best leave everything on the field in the battle for Pennsylvania!
Written By Shane Majoris
South Division Championship Game
Carolina Aviators At Peach State
This might just be the game of the year, before the next game of the year(if Steel City and Peach State Advance). Carolina, even being an outright expansion team, has gone toe to toe with everyone in the AAL2, only losing twice thus far, and both times to Peach State. The last match came down to the last play, and we have no doubt that this game won’t be the exact same. James Moreland has put together a squad that some pro teams would envy; the Cats’ only losses are to AAL teams, even making it close for three quarters against Columbus.
Overall, this should be a hard-nosed back-and-forth battle between two top offenses at Silverbacks Indoor. If you haven’t had the chance to catch an AAL2 game this season, this should be the one! The facility has a great stream, and you’ll see all the action you expect from an indoor football game. We do have to lean Peach state, they have too many weapons on both sides of the ball to not sweep Carolina and play for a title!
Interesting Side Note:
If the following were to happen, we would be in for an interesting twist, an all-Ohio Valley against Georgia AAL/AAL2 championship weekend. The pride that goes into it, if it were to happen in second to none, and would set up a new rivalry, and reinforce a budding rivalry that has seen the best two games of 2026. Without further ado, here is how it happens:
Pittsburgh upsets Steel City, sending them to the AAL2 Championship.
Peach State takes care of Business against Carolina.
Wheeling steamrolls Jersey.
Columbus Dominates Mississippi
Setting up a quite unusual battle of the regions we have never seen, and especially for a championship game! Even the most casual of fans’ attention will be grabbed by that storyline!
No matter who you are a fan of, this weekend has something to offer, and every single game decides the fate of a franchise’s season; every game means more than the one before ever could. This is when arena ball is the most fun to follow, even if you haven’t been following all year! Can Mississippi shock the world? Will we get an all-region title weekend? Can Carolina win it all in their first season?
The only way you’ll find out is if you tune in! And if you want to get the complete rundown on every team and league, you’ll have to tune into Around the Indoor Football World this Saturday morning at 7 AM Central!
Need to catch up?
Also check out our look into the AAL and it’s long term stability:
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