The Wheeling Little Patriots, pictured with their Bantam Championship after winning the title game 26-18 against Oak Glen.

The Ohio Valley Youth Football League — which spans portions of Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania — wrapped up its season over the weekend with championship games featuring the league’s six “big school” programs. Among them were two Wheeling Little Patriots squads, marking a strong finish to another season on the gridiron.

Wheeling’s varsity team battled Toronto in a hard-fought title game before ultimately falling 20-16 to earn the runner-up trophy. The junior varsity team concluded its campaign as well, finishing third overall after a semifinal loss a week earlier. But the highlight of the day belonged to Wheeling’s youngest group — the Bantam team — which brought home a championship in thrilling fashion.

Composed of 7- and 8-year-old players, the Bantam Little Patriots avenged an earlier regular-season loss by defeating previously unbeaten Oak Glen, 26-18. The victory carried extra meaning for the team, which last season fell just short of a title in an epic six-overtime battle against Steubenville on their home field at Wheeling Island Stadium.

Head coach Noldy Banks and assistant coaches Joey Schau, Noah Litman, Tucker Brown, RJ Zitzelsberger, and Dasean Scott guided the young Patriots through a season that began with late-July practices and continued with three to four sessions per week until the end of October. Their roster included Maxwell McKinley, Klayton Nice, Shilling Rodocker, Kolton Hixenbaugh, Izayiah Bruce, Kashton Lee, River Rejonis, Tripp Brown, Palmer Zitzelsberger, Kih’yan Neal, Ramar Butler, Colt Maynard, Logan Gardill, Jack Porter, Jayshaun Flanary, Axel Doyle, Knowledge Morgan, Shane Niznik, Maddox Spacht, Willie Litman, and Keaghan Spielvogel.

Adding to the celebration, the Wheeling Little Patriots organization also earned the league’s prestigious Commissioner’s Cup, presented to the program with the most combined wins across all age levels. Athletic Director and varsity head coach RJ Zitzelsberger accepted the award from League Commissioner Brent King, capping a memorable season for Wheeling’s young athletes and coaches.