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Mahoning Valley signs former YSU standouts Zetts, Palmer
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YSU kicker Brian Palmer during practice. Holding is Todd Rowan.
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Tom Zetts playing for the YSU Penguins
By Joe Scalzo
The Thunder have already had eight former Penguins make the active roster.
YOUNGSTOWN — Tom Zetts’ first professional football experience was in Italy. His second is a lot closer to home.
The former YSU quarterback, along with former Penguin kicker Brian Palmer, signed with the Mahoning Valley Thunder on Monday for the team’s final three games.
Zetts, a Boardman High graduate who played for the Parma Panthers of the Italian American Football League last summer, is joining a team that has lost 12 straight games.
“It’s an opportunity to play and a chance to compete,” said Zetts, who helped Parma win an EFAF Cup Championship last summer. “I’m not trying to make any kind of comeback here.
“But while I still feel like I’m in good-enough shape, I thought I’d give it a shot.”
In 47 games as YSU’s starting quarterback, Zetts set school career records for pass attempts (1,094), completions (654), touchdowns (51), yardage (7,643), 200-yard games (13) and completion percentage (59.8). His 8,277 total offensive yards are also tops in Penguins history.
“Tommy was really impressive when we brought him in for a tryout,” said Thunder coach Chris MacKeown. “He has excellent arm strength and one of his greatest assets is his quick release.
“He’s picked the game up quicker than expected and has shown a good presence in the pocket. As a coaching staff we’re excited about what he can do in this league and look forward to having him be a part of our roster.”
Zetts is a teacher at Boardman High School and also coaches freshman football, freshman baseball and junior varsity girls basketball at the school. Thunder GM Adam Tokash approached Zetts in the spring to ask if he’d be interested in playing, but Zetts’ school and coaching commitments made it impossible. Finally, he found a break in his schedule and spent Monday learning the af2 game and the team’s playbook.
Brad Roach is the Thunder’s starter, so there’s no guarantee Zetts will even see playing time.
“Maybe I’ll get to throw the ball around and win a game or two, but if not, this was the only shot I had [to play for the Thunder] this year,” said Zetts. “It’s exciting to have the chance to play again.”
Palmer, a Mineral Ridge High graduate, has attended tryouts for the past several weeks, getting used to the arena setting while waiting for an opportunity. Palmer won’t officially sign until later in the week since Mahoning Valley has to clear a roster spot.
The Thunder’s kicker for most of the season, Derek Schorejs, recently quit the team to work his outside job and his replacement, Nathan Palkovic, struggled in the role. Palkovic made just 2 of 6 extra points and missed a crucial onside kick call in the team’s 62-47 loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on June 28.
“You have to start your football career somewhere and I figure this is a good place to start,” Palmer said. “Hopefully it will open up future opportunities.”
Palmer said his biggest adjustment will be the width of the uprights, which are 9 feet wide, compared to 18 feet, 6 inches in college. Also, the bottom of the uprights are 15 feet high, compared to 10 in college.
“Other than the uprights, it’s pretty much the same,” he said. “The emphasis is on making the extra points and hitting the net on kickoffs.”
He made 38 of 50 career field goals at YSU with a long of 44 yards. He also made 156 of 167 extra points (93 percent).
Palmer is still in school and will graduate next spring with his education degree. Eventually, he plans to teach and coach.
Eight former YSU players have appeared on the Thunder’s active roster: Jerald Burley (2007), Brandon Brown (2007), Mike Schneider (2007, 08), Jamel Lee (2007), Mike Stanec (2007), Mike Andrews (2007), Tim Frost (2007) and Maurice Smith (2009).
Smith, whose last name was Smith-Davis at YSU, never played in a game for the Thunder.
Three other Penguins were in training camp but did not make the roster: Josh Cayson (2009), Josh Tanner (2008) and Tariq Goode (2008).
scalzo@vindy.com