From the Commissioner's Desk

It is with a heavy heart that the Continental Football League announces that the Ohio Valley Ironmen will cease operations effective immediately. The decision follows the inability of a major team sponsor to fulfill its financial commitment to the club. League and team leadership exhausted every reasonable avenue to preserve the franchise in its current form, and despite a determined effort, those options ultimately came up short.

This is a difficult day for the Ohio Valley community, for our coaches and staff, and most of all for the players who poured themselves into this program. The CoFL extends its deepest gratitude to head coach Manny Matsakis, his staff, the team's supporters, and the Martins Ferry and Shadyside communities that gave the Ironmen a home.

Our focus now is the players. In coordination with team leadership, Ironmen players are being actively dispersed to other CoFL clubs so they can continue to compete, continue to develop, and — critically — continue to be evaluated by NFL, CFL, and UFL scouts. The People's League exists to give athletes a platform. That mission does not change today. It hardens.

To every Ironman: you wore the shield with pride, and you will wear new colors with that same pride. We've got you.

— Mike Kelly, Commissioner, Continental Football League

Week 3 Recap · June 13–14

Ohio Valley Ironmen 35, Cincinnati Dukes 7

In what now stands as the final game in Ohio Valley Ironmen history, the club went out the way it played: dominant. The Ironmen rolled into Atrium Stadium in Mason, Ohio and handed the Cincinnati Dukes a 35–7 loss on Saturday night. It was a complete performance — a fitting closing chapter for a roster, staff, and coaching group that gave the league everything it had. The result, and the men who produced it, will not be forgotten.

San Antonio Toros 59, Tall City Black Gold 0

The San Antonio Toros christened Wheatley Heights Sports Complex in emphatic fashion, blanking the Tall City Black Gold 59–0 on Sunday night. Head coach Stan Bedwell's club has now produced back-to-back shutouts in 2026 and announced themselves, in no uncertain terms, as the Southern Division team to beat. Wheatley Heights, in its CoFL debut, looked every bit a real home-field advantage.

The Southern Division takes center stage this Saturday with two games at 7 PM CST, both streaming on the United Football Media YouTube Channel. After a Week 3 that produced one of the most lopsided wins in CoFL history, the Southern race tightens — fast.

Texas Herd at Tall City Black Gold — The Black Gold return home looking to bounce back hard from the Wheatley Heights result. The Texas Herd, as a non-member affiliate, are on the road for one of three scheduled visits to Southern Division clubs this season; results count toward CoFL standings for the member club, but the Herd are not eligible for the Southern Division title. Expect a Black Gold team playing with an edge.

Texas Syndicate at San Antonio Toros — This is the Southern Division headliner. Head coach James Champagne brings the Syndicate — fresh off the historic "Los Dos" win at Tall City — into Wheatley Heights to face an undefeated, unscored-upon Toros team. The first Toros–Syndicate meeting this season ended 24–0 in San Antonio's favor. The rematch arrives at a fully-charged Wheatley Heights with the division lead on the line.

Watch live: youtube.com/@UnitedFootballMedia

Why Southern Saturday Matters

Two games. One night. One YouTube channel. This is the best slate of Southern Division football the league has produced in 2026.

The Toros come in as the only undefeated, unscored-upon team in the CoFL. The Syndicate carry the highlight of the season so far in Owen Meister's "Los Dos." Tall City returns to their stadium looking to reset the narrative. The Texas Herd road tour kicks off — exactly the kind of crossover programming summer pro football was built for. Every snap, every series, every camera angle is a chance for a player to show what he can do.

For fans watching from anywhere, this is the easiest invitation we'll ever extend: Saturday, 7 PM CST, United Football Media. Pick a team. Pick a sideline. Be part of it.

Next Up in The Continental

Next week's issue will recap the Southern Saturday doubleheader, share an updated Liam Smith Power Rankings, and report on Ironmen player placements as they are completed. To every fan, sponsor, and supporter who reached out today — thank you. The league moves forward because of you.

Until then, see you on the broadcast.

— The CoFL League Office

Watch live: youtube.com/@UnitedFootballMedia  ·  Power Rankings: @LiamCoFL  ·  Media inquiries: [email protected]

The Continental Football League

The People's League · Summer Football · Coast to Coast

Proud league-wide partner: Light Helmets

Website · Watch Live · All Access · Facebook

You're receiving this because you subscribed to CoFL insider updates.
© 2026 Continental Football League. All rights reserved.