Offense, others need fix for six

By John Kovach

Chemistry and timing between a new quarterback and new receivers have to be developed.

YOUNGSTOWN — What’s wrong with the Mahoning Valley Thunder?

Why has the second-year af2 team lost a franchise-record six games in a row, including Saturday’s 56-30 road setback to the Lexington Horsemen?

Does the problem lie with the quarterback, receivers, defensive players, blockers or kickers, or whom?

And will coach Michael Hold and his embattled team be able to find solutions to their deficiencies this week so that they can end their slump in Saturday’s game at the Louisville Fire (4-3)?

Questions, questions and more questions, and Hold admits he doesn’t have the answers, but fortunately he knows what the problems are and what has to be done to correct them.

“We did play lousy [against Lexington]. The week before [a 77-47 loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers], we were a better team,” said Hold on Monday.

For example:

The Thunder suffered four turnovers and was held to only six points in the second half at Lexington, including a scoreless fourth quarter.

“At Lexington, we couldn’t win. We just didn’t play well,” said Hold. “They [quarterback and receivers] are just not clicking. They are not in sync and we got to get there.”

Hold conceded that quarterback Shane Adler, who completed only 12-of-27 passes for 155 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions, was unable to connect efficiently with his new nucleus of receivers — the same problem that vexed the Thunder against the Pioneers.

However, Kenny Johnson caught four of Adler’s throws for 53 yards and one TD against the Horsemen.

“This [past] week I felt like the timing wasn’t there. The heart of your offense isn’t clicking. The receivers have to get acclimated to the quarterback. We’ve got to fight through it and adversity and get better,” said Hold, who is determined to stick with Adler as the quarterback despite his 0-2 record as the starter.

“You do what you can to try to get [him and the receivers] in sync. But we have been unlucky. We don’t have the four receivers who went to training camp with us,” said Hold. “It just takes time to develop that chemistry and timing.

“Shane is fine. It’s hard to bring a guy into a new system, let alone having three new receivers who are new to the system and feeling their way through the game and with the quarterback. It is a bit of a challenge.”

But, Hold emphasized, “That’s not the only excuse or reason” for the losing.

“The bottom line is we have to execute offensively and we haven’t.

“We didn’t play well in any phase, including the special teams. We gave up a kick return for a TD. Our kicker [Danny Diemert] didn’t do anything. He missed every extra point and he only hit the net once in kickoffs.”

Diemert, from Mount Union, was in his first Thunder game as the placekicker as a replacement for Derek Schorejs, and apparently his last one.

Schorejs kicked for the Thunder last season, and rejoined the team last month.

“I’m going to bring in a new kicker. I don’t know [when]. I am still working on it,” said Hold.

Schorejs was available for only three weeks because of other commitments.

“I’d love to have Derek. He kicks great,” said Hold.

Later Monday, the Thunder announced that Diemert was released from the team.

Hold said that wide receiver-linebacker John Tackmann and new receiver Chris Curd (Ursuline and Pitt] were injured against Lexington, but should be ready this week.

kovach@vindy.com