Welcome back: QBs are guys with area ties

By John Kovach

Ursuline’s Josh Swogger and YSU’s Mike Schneider will line up under center.

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning Valley Thunder will have two quarterbacks who played locally available to throw the passes Saturday night when the af2 franchise launches its second season against the Albany Conquest at 7:05 on Cortland Banks Field in the Chevrolet Centre.

That was the word from coach Mike Hold Monday during a press conference at the Chevrolet Centre, although Hold emphasized that newcomer Josh Swogger from Ursuline High will be the starter and holdover Mike Schneider of Sharon will be the backup — at least to start the season.

Hold also pointed out that while Swogger, a former Washington State and University of Montana standout, has been practicing with the team since training camp began about two weeks ago, Schneider, who played for Duke and Youngstown State, has not yet reported to the team although he is expected to do so this week.

Schneider, a late addition to the team to replace Joe Micco (San Jose State), will have to blend his regular job with playing for the Thunder.

“We have to have two good quarterbacks to be successful,” said Hold, who guided the Thunder to a 7-9 record last season.

“The quarterback takes a lot of hits on the field and takes a beating and you never know when he is going to go down, so you have to have backup off the bench.”

Hold, who traded Micco to the Stockton (Calif.) Lightning to make room for Schneider, said he will not rotate Swogger and Schneider.

“We have two quality guys. If one gets hurt, we have another one,” said Hold, who has been impressed by Swogger but still acknowledges the outstanding job Schneider did last year after replacing injured starter Glen Gauntt.

Schneider played in 11 games, starting six of them, and passed for 1,766 yards and 31 TDs. He also had a span of three straight starts without throwing an interception, and the team went 3-3 in his six starts.

Swogger, who transferred from Mathews High to play his junior and senior seasons at Ursuline, brings much experience to the Thunder. He threw 15 TD passes in three seasons [one season hampered by injury] for Washington State, and then transferred to Montana where he averaged more than 200 yards passing each game and threw for 17 TDs in his final year of eligibility.

“Josh has all the talent in the world but the learning curve is humongous [in the af2],” said Hold. “We have to make sure that we have a guy out there with experience.”

Hold hopes to have Schneider, who transferred from Duke to play one season for Youngstown State, available at least for the Thunder’s first two games, which are at home against Albany Saturday and the Manchester Wolves April 5.

“Schneider’s job will determine his availability to the team. We have two home games to start the season so that should help … and we are flexible [with his work schedule] and we would do it for other players on the team, too.”

Hold said Schneider proved himself last season.

“Last year, Schneider started late and didn’t know the game and had to learn it from the veterans. Then he completed 28 of 32 passes, included seven for TDs, on our last game of the season,” said Hold, noting that he tried to get Schneider an Arena Football League contract but without success.

“We haven’t signed Schneider yet. He hasn’t been practicing too much. I don’t know how long it will take him to get ready,” said Hold.

Swogger’s and Schneider’s main receivers to start the season will be DeMarcus Mathes (Missouri Southern State), who caught 71 passes for a team-best 1,027 yards and 17 TDs last season; and Brian Majors (Southern Utah), who caught 24 passes for 318 yards and five scores after playing primarily defense.

“The receivers we had stayed healthy for the most part except that [Mathes got hurt],” said Hold. “And when he was injured, Brian Majors got the opportunity to step in at wide receiver. He had been a defensive back sitting on the bench, and then Majors came in and did a great job. And so we have some confidence in him that he can play.”

Besides Schneider, Hold said Rick Ziska (Lafayette), the Thunder’s projected kicker this season, also has not yet reported to the team.

“He will be in [today],” said Hold. “Hopefully he will get into the arena Thursday. It will be the first time he will be doing anything. He did a great job in the [Thunder kicking] trials.”

Hold said this year’s team will be relatively new, but has more talent that last year.

“We made a huge change in the roster. We only have four or five guys back from last year. We have a lot of rookies,” said Hold. “We feel that personnel-wise that we are better than last year. But we have to jell as a unit. Chemistry is the biggest thing you can have.”

kovach@vindy.com