MARSHALL COUNTY, W.Va. – Local gridiron fans will soon have another team to cheer for when the Ohio Valley Ironmen roll into Monarch Stadium in Moundsville next year.
Manny Matsakis, the General Manager and Head Football Coach for the team, says local fans can expect action-filled, high caliber, professional football games that are just one level below an NFL game.
The Ohio Valley Ironmen is one of seven teams in the International Football Alliance (IFA). The IFA is an outdoor football league that plays 11 men per team. Matsakis said some players come to the IFA from the NFL while others move into the NFL from the IFA. College players also come to the IFA. Matsakis said the league is somewhat of a hybrid between college and pro games.
Matsakis plans to roster a few local, Ohio Valley players for the Ironmen. You can email the team for more details at scouting@ohiovalleyironmen.com
Games will be played outdoors at night in John Marshall High School’s Monarch Stadium in Moundsville, West Virginia. Matsakis says the stadium is modern and that school officials were receptive to the football idea and were “great” to work with.
Matsakis said the IFA approached him to develop a team, and he knew the Ohio Valley sports fans would be game. He had the rights to the Wheeling Ironmen and Ohio Valley Ironmen names from 1960s team that was a source for Steelers players then.
Fans can expect a high-energy game and a family-friendly experience, Matsakis said.
Matsakis says the the Ohio Valley Ironmen will play four home games and that the local area will host gameday festivals each time. There are also four away games, making an 8-game summer season.
You can see the Ohio Valley Ironmen’s first home game at Monarch Stadium on Saturday, June 14, 2025 as they face off against the San Antonio Caballeros. The full 2025 schedule is below:
You can learn more about the Ohio Valley Ironmen on their Facebook page or the IFA website.
