New QB helping Thunder

By John Kovach

Davon Vinson has passed for 11 TDs in just under eight quarters.

YOUNGSTOWN — What will Davon Vinson do next?

Can the new quarterback for the Mahoning Valley Thunder continue throwing touchdown passes prolifically like he has the past two games, and help to rejuvenate the af2 team from its losing record (2-8), turn around the season and get them into the playoff hunt?

Stay tuned for the answer Friday night when Vinson leads the Thunder against the Manchester Wolves (4-6) at 7:05 on Cortland Banks Field inside the Chevrolet Centre in an East Division battle.

“I feel like we are coming together as a team. This game could be the pivotal and turn-around point for the season,” said Vinson, a 6-foot-4 signal-caller from Northwestern (La.) State, who has become the Thunder’s offensive spark since joining the team May 30.

The next day, Mahoning Valley broke a seven-game losing streak by beating the Albany Conquest at home, 44-31, and then the Thunder took the Quad City Steamwheelers down to the wire on the road last Friday before losing on the final play, 60-54.

Vinson threw four TD passes in his debut against Albany, then followed with seven more scoring passes against Quad City — the most by a Thunder quarterback since Glen Gauntt threw eight in a 65-64 overtime victory over Albany last season.

Vinson has 11 TD passes in just under eight quarters with the Thunder, but still is learning the offense and becoming acquainted with his receivers.

“I pretty much have the offense down. Coach [Michael] Hold simplified [the offense] down,” said Vinson, who has found that the Thunder has “some great receivers.”

Vinson has just one main definition of a good receiver.

“A good receiver gets open. He doesn’t have to be the fastest, just as long as he gets open,” said Vinson. “[I need] just a couple of feet [between receiver and defender] so that I can sneak [the ball] in there. I feel that is what I have to do. “ Because, “The receivers and I] are not on the same page yet. I don’t know where they run their routes.”

But, “Once we get on the same page, I feel that then offense will be that much better.”

Vinson and receiver Clenton Rafe were clicking against Quad City. Rafe, who recently rejoined the Thunder after playing in the team’s first two games, caught five of Vinson’s TD throws.

Vinson has completed 35-of-58 passes for 431 yards and 11 TDs, and is averaging 215.5 yards per game. He also has rushed for two TDs, one of them the goal-ahead score against Albany.

His negatives have been few. He has given up one interception and one fumble, the latter coming against Quad City on the final play that resulted in the game-winning TD.

Vinson senses that the Thunder is getting better and can be a playoff contender. But the team has to continue the turn-around Friday against Manchester.

“I feel like we are strong enough. We have a great defense and a great line, and I don’t see why we can’t make the playoffs,” said Vinson. “I think we have to take one game at a time. We showed that we can play with the good teams. We stayed with Quad City all the way.”

Manchester will be a tough nut to crack. The Wolves are coming off a 47-35 victory over the Florida Firecats last week for their third straight win, and hold second place in the East Division.

Earlier this season, Manchester beat the Thunder in their first meeting this year at the Chevrolet Centre, 45-39, on the final play of the game.

Vinson said the highlights of his career at Northwestern State occurred during his junior season, when he was named Southland Conference offensive MVP and his team qualified for the playoffs.

He is hoping to graduate soon from college. He needs 11 more academic credit hours, and is taking course work on line to graduate with a major in general studies with a minor in English.

kovach@vindy.com