Mathes tunes in Gauntt's signal

The Mahoning Valley receiver scored three times in last week's romp.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Catching a pass in football is similar to completing a radio-wave transmission.
The receiver in football has to be able to tune in the "radio wave" transmitted by the quarterback.
Just like the transmitter and receiver have to be synchronized to close a circuit and bring in the signal to the radio, so does the quarterback have to know his receiver's traits and capabilities, and vice versa, to allow for a better chance of completing the pass.
"Most definitely a good relationship helps. [The quarterback and receiver] have to have an understanding of each other," said wide receiver DeMarcus Mathes of the Mahoning Valley Thunder, who teamed with quarterback Glen Gauntt to lead the team to a 54-20 romp past the Cincinnati Jungle Kats last Saturday on Cortland Banks Field at the Chevrolet Centre before 4,798 fans.
Mathes (6-0, 200) caught eight passes for 155 yards and three TDs from Gauntt, and was named the team's Schutt Offensive Player of the Game in the Thunder's third straight victory in the arenafootball2 league.
Gauntt passes for 267
Gauntt completed 23 of 37 passes for 267 yards and one interception, including passes to five different receivers for six aerial scores to lead the Thunder.
Mathes, a native of Lancaster, Tex., is in his first year with the af2 after playing four seasons at Missouri Southern State. He said that having good "chemistry" between quarterback and receiver is very important, so that they know each other's moves and signals well in order to complete passes.
"[I] can adjust to what Glen wants. You [have to] adjust to each play."
For example, "you could go longer [on a pass route] or cut it short."
Practice, repetition help
To achieve that mutual understanding, Mathes said that "practice and repetition are important so that we are on the same page."
So, "Before practice, we run a couple of routes. And a lot of times when I run plays with the first team, we go through our routes."
Mathes is will try to "tune in" Gauntt again this Saturday when the Thunder (3-0) hits the road to meet the Manchester (N.H.) Wolves (1-2) at 7 p.m. on Brady Sullivan Field in the Verizon Wireless Arena.
The Thunder will face a similarly strong quarterback-receivers combination against the Wolves who, led by quarterback Ryan Porter and receivers Ari Confesor and David Bailey, also won last Saturday at home with a second-half comeback against the Fort Wayne Fusion, 54-41, before 7,011 fans.
Porter was involved in eight TDs -- he threw seven TD passes to four different receivers and ran for the other TD -- and wound up 22-for-29 in the air for 249 yards with no interceptions. Confesor caught seven passes for 155 yards and two TDs, Bailey had six aerials for 98 yards and one TD.
Mathes said that he wants "to be known as a playmaker. Give me the opportunity to show you what I can do," meaning how he can catch passes; and that, "It is how you make the plays that counts."
He said that is achieved by "a combination of speed, quickness and understanding the game."
Overcame ankle injury
Mathes' biggest setback and challenge so far was recovering from a sprained ankle just before the season began that set him back at least three weeks.
"The first game it was hard. I sprained my ankle four days before the first game and I didn't have a lot of success in the game," Mathes said. "The next week, my ankle wasn't as bad and I played better. Then we had the bye week to rest up and my ankle didn't bother me as much."
He also credited rehabilitation with Dick Hartzell's rubber bands for helping him bounce back to have his strong game last week.
"The rubber bands strengthen your muscles. They don't put a lot of pressure but just enough to strengthen them," said Mathes, who also stretches his muscles a lot in practice. "The stretching exercises help protect injured muscles and help your speed."
He also said that he has had to adjust to lighting in an indoor arena.
"In the stadium indoors, the lights are closer to you than outdoors. The lights can get into your eyes and you have to focus more," said Mathes, who hopes playing for the Thunder will be a stepping stone to the Arena Football League or the NFL.
"I'd love to [move higher]. But my backup plans are to coach. If I can't play, then I want to [stay close to] the game," said Mathes, the son of Karen and Doyle Spikes of Lancaster, Tex., who has a degree in physical education from Missouri Southern State.
While a collegiate wide receiver, his best game was seven receptions for 195 yards and two TDs. He also caught 12 balls for 120 yards in another game.
Mathes said that his parents haven't seen him play yet for the Thunder, but he is hoping that they eventually will be able to watch a game.
Meanwhile, he will trying to "tune in" Gauntt again Saturday so that they can play some beautiful music again together.
kovach@vindy.com