GAME TIME Thunder

Who: Mahoning Valley Thunder (5-6) at WB/Scranton Pioneers (11-0)
When: 7 p.m. today
Where: Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza
Radio: WBBW-AM (1240), WLLF-FM (96.7)
Series history: WB/Scranton leads 1-0, winning 56-26 at the Chevrolet Centre May 12.
Streaks: Thunder won 1; Pioneers won 11
Coaches: Mike Hold is 5-6 in his first season with the Thunder and 32-33 overall in five seasons. Rich Ingold is 54-21 all-time and is in his second season with WB/Scranton.
Schedules:

Mahoning Valley (5-6)
48Tri-Cities40
65at Albany59
54Cincinnati20
49at Manchester67
34Louisville52
26WB/Scranton56
26at Florida62
40Manchester50
57at Cincinnati20
39at Green Bay54
63Quad City34
Today@ WB/Scranton7 p.m.
7/7@ Louisville7 p.m.
7/13Albany7:05 p.m.
7/21@ Tennessee Valley8:30 p.m.
7/28Green Bay7:05 p.m.

WB/Scranton (11-0)

50Manchester36
52Albany43
58at Florida36
94Cincinnati25
59Manchester42
56at Thunder26
34at Tennessee Valley30
71Albany46
70at South Georgia62
77Alabama62
62at Quad City55
TodayThunder 7 p.m.
7/7at Fort Wayne7 p.m.
7/13at Manchester7:05 p.m.
7/21Bossier-Shreveport7 p.m.
7/27at Albany7 p.m.
7/26Fort Wayne8:30 p.m.

Scouting report: The Pioneers have already qualified for the postseason. The Thunder are coming off a bye week and a 63-34 victory over Quad City June 16. Tim Murphy had five touchdowns — four rushing — and finished with 13 carries for 55 yards and three catches for 38 yards. The Thunder was plus-five in turnover ratio, coming up with four interceptions and one fumble recovery. Maurice Taylor had two interceptions, while Mike Andrews and Reggie Perkins each had one. Sam Crenshaw had the fumble recovery. Rookie quarterback Mike Schneider finished 20-of-30 for 200 yards and three touchdowns. However, Glen Gauntt, who has missed the last four games with a thumb injury, is expected to return to the starting lineup.

Vindicator staff report