Thunder tries to end streak

VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT

The Mahoning Valley Thunder, fresh off their first bye week of the season but still facing a seven-game losing streak, will return to Cortland Banks Field at the Chevrolet Centre for the first time in almost a month Saturday night, when they play host to the Albany Conquest in a scheduled 7:05 p.m. kickoff.

The good news for Mahoning Valley (1-7) — if it can be considered good news — is that the Conquest (3-5) aren’t in any better shape.

Albany has lost four straight games since a 61-49 win over the Thunder on April 26.

Mahoning Valley’s lone win came March 29 in its season opener — over the Conquest, 59-33, at the Chevrolet Centre.

“Any time you have the chance to play a divisional opponent the stakes are raised a little but more,” said Thunder coach Mike Hold.

“With a win we basically gain two games in the standings.

“This is the third time we’ll see these guys so we have a good idea of their tendencies and their personnel.

“With that being said, they know the same things about us so there won’t be many surprises.

“It’s going to come down to who executes better. I expect another physical, close game.”

The Thunder will again go with Shane Adler at quarterback. The second-year af2 signal-caller from Wisconsin-La Crosse is completing just 38 percent of his passes, with five TDs and nine interceptions.

“I think the bye came at a perfect time for us,” said Hold. “We were obviously banged up and it gave us some extra time to heal up some of our bumps and bruises.

“At the same time I think the guys were able to go home and spend some time with their families, get their minds off of football for awhile and re-charge the batteries.”

Albany is coming off a 66-62 loss at home to Manchester May 23. Conquest coach Jeff Hoffman liked his team’s effort, though.

“Usually I would be yelling at players after a game like that, but I told our guys I liked the way they came back and didn’t give up.

“If we can stop making the kind of mistakes we’re making we can be a good team.”

Hoffman pinpointed the bulk of his team’s struggles with pass protection.

Quarterback Dan Cole has completed nearly 56 percent of his pass attempts for 41 TDs and just five interceptions, but the Conquest have allowed 25 sacks, the third-most in af2

“When we block for the quarterback they can’t stop us,” said Hoffman. “When we don’t block for the quarterback then it’s mayhem. I don’t mean to call out the offensive line but that’s where we need to get better.”