DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) – It’s been over a year since it was announced that the Arena League would be coming to Duluth.
Now the Harbor Monsters have made a big splash by coming back from a rocky start and now hosting the league’s first championship game.
It may be quiet right now, but on Saturday, ArenaMania takes over the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center as your Duluth Harbor Monsters battle it out for the first-ever Arena League championship game and players can’t wait.
“It’s a blessing because not only is it the first time, but the opportunity to make history as a player is honestly a blessing,” said tight end Ledarion Mcallister.
With one season of highlight after another, official arena football has captured the attention of Twin Ports sports fans.
“Coming here and being in a city that really enjoys its football team and loves the players. To see so much love and camaraderie in a city is something I’ve never experienced before,” said halfback KJ Felder.
Quarterback Ja’Vonte Johnson has been part of many championship teams during his arena football career, but none like this one.
“Normally you’re the best team from start to finish, that’s just how it goes. That wasn’t the case in this situation. We got into a slump, went under and everyone started criticising us,” Johnson said, but he feels like it all worked out at the right time. “But we had the right people in the right places at the right time and it all worked out.”
After a 1-3 start to the season, they have since reeled off five straight wins, including a 50-18 victory over the Ozarks Lunkers in the semifinals.
The Monsters will face the Iowa Woo, who defeated the top-ranked Kansas City Goats on their way to the championship.
This surprise gave Duluth home court advantage and now the team is calling on Monster fans to fill the arena for the final show.
(Mcallister) “Energy, that’s all we ask from the spectators, a little bit of energy. We are here in the championship, but they are here with us in the championship,” said Mcallister.
“You have shown us all the love during this very difficult start to the season, and now that we have finally managed to turn things around, we want to show you how much we love you by bringing a championship back to Duluth,” Felder said.
The Harbor Monsters may have lost their first encounter with the Iowa Woo, but they have won their last two games and are now on course for the championship on Saturday.
ArenaMania starts at 7pm. Tickets are available online or at the DECC ticket office.
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