Thunder insider News & notes

Aquaman: The burning question: Will Taz Wallace emerge from the giant inflated Thunder helmet during pre-game introductions and spray water from his mouth again? Tune in to the next showing of the Mahoning Valley’s af2 team Saturday night when the Milwaukee Iron visits. Whether Wallace, reminiscent of a fire-breathing dragon, pulls the stunt again, won’t mean much if Mahoning Valley hits dudsville after a season-opening victory a week ago. From his Mac linebacker position, Wallace had four tackles and a sack for 11 yards and was defensive player of the game in the 44-34 win at the Chevy Centre.

Last week’s standouts: QB Davon Vinson was offensive player of the game after completing 18 of 26 passes for 190 yards and four touchdowns. Vinson also ran 26 yards, which included a 4-yarder for another tally. Quorey Payne had eight catches for 99 yards and two kickoff returns for 43 yards. Payne had the catch of the game — the season’s first score of the season with five minutes elapsed. Payne also had another TD reception. Thunder DB Brandon Taylor had two fumble recoveries for 15 yards, including one returned 10 yards for the game’s final TD. Albany’s Rob Wright was last week’s Ironman for two-way play. Albany QB Adam Bednarik, who replaced starter Stephen Wasil in the first quarter, was 19 of 35 for 217 yards and three TDs. Albany’s Christian Wise had eight catches for 128 yards and one TD.

This and that: Mahoning Valley and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton are American Conference East Div. leaders at 1-0, while Manchester and Albany are 0-1. If Mahoning Valley defeats Milwaukee, it would improve the franchise’s all-time home record to 10-8.

Coaches: Mike Hold’s record as the Thunder’s only coach is 11-22. Milwaukee coach Gary Compton is 0-1 for his af2 career. As an undrafted free agent of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers in 1991, Compton caught the last pass thrown by Joe Montana in a 49er uniform during a preseason practice in San Francisco.

Iron men: The Iron’s opener was a 60-38 loss to Iowa. Milwaukee, a member of the American’s Midwest Division, will wear black, orange and white uniforms.

Around the league: Tonight, Albany battles Manchester — a 59-28 loser to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton last week — and Stockton travels to Spokane. There are five more af2 games Saturday. The highest-scoring game last week was the Quad City Steamwheelers’ 72-56 win over the Peoria Pirates.

John Bassetti