PHILADELPHIA -The Chicago Lions started the 2008 season with a road victory over Philly-Whitemarsh, winning 40-5.  The Lions dominated all aspects of the game with outstanding support play from the forwards.

The Lions started the scoring winning their five meter scrum.  The ball came slipping out of the scrum when former Ohio State standout Mickey Franco (9) picked up the ball and flipped it to the wing Eddie Blumel for a try.  Scott Peterson converted the kick.

The Lions started the scoring winning their five meter scrum.  The ball came slipping out of the scrum when former Ohio State standout Mickey Franco (9) picked up the ball and flipped it to the wing Eddie Blumel for a try.  Scott Peterson converted the kick.

The Lions started the scoring winning their five meter scrum.  The ball came slipping out of the scrum when former Ohio State standout Mickey Franco (9) picked up the ball and flipped it to the wing Eddie Blumel for a try.  Scott Peterson converted the kick.

The Lions work rate stayed at an intense pace resulting in another try three minutes later as Blumel powered the ball in for his second try of the game.  Peterson converted the kick. 

Dustin Hugen stole a Philadelphia lineout with the ball getting to Peterson who hit a bursting John Coughlin with a behind the head pass running up the weak side, while in contact Coughlin dished the ball off to fullback Jeremy Nash for another Lion try.  Peterson converted the kick.

With another dominated scrum by the Lions Franco got the ball to Peterson who got the ball to a bursting Blumel for his third try of the day completing the hat trick. 

Before the end of the half Philly-Whitemarsh won a lineout and scoring from the set piece.

Midway through the second half the Lions got back into attack mode and scored off a quick lineout as Nash dashed in for his second try of the Super League season.  Peterson’s kicked missed.

After a nifty run by Peterson he dished the ball off to Scott Jones who also had a nifty run to finish the attack with a try. Peterson converted the kick. 

Eight Chicago Lions earned their first caps for the Super League; John Coughlin, Joe Malek, Brian Farrel, Mickey Franco, BJ Brick, Matt Rosh, Matt Degoutus, and Josh Whalen.