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Zetts sees first action for Thunder
Palmer To Kick For Thunder
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Former YSU kicker Brian Palmer has joined the Mahoning Valley Thunder
Vindicator staff report
PEORIA, Ill. — The Mahoning Valley Thunder had a familiar face under center Saturday night.
Unfortunately, they also had a familiar result on the scoreboard.
Former YSU quarterback Tom Zetts saw his first action for the Thunder, throwing for a pair of touchdowns in a 76-34 loss to the Peoria Pirates (5-9) in front of 2,560 fans at Carver Arena.
It was the 13th straight loss for Mahoning Valley, which got its only win of the season on opening night.
Zetts, a Boardman High graduate who signed with the team on Monday, completed 19 of 36 passes for 256 yards and three interceptions. He was also sacked three times in his af2 debut.
Brad Roach started and struggled for the Thunder, completing just 4 of 7 passes for 33 yards and two interceptions as Mahoning Valley fell behind 28-0 in the first quarter.
Mahoning Valley’s C.J. Brewer led all receivers with 10 catches for 187 yards and one touchdown, while Jermain Moyer caught seven passes for 39 yards and a TD.
Former YSU kicker Brian Palmer was 4-for-5 on extra point attempts. Palmer also signed with the team earlier in the week.
Defensively, Ryan Breiser led Mahoning Valley with six tackles and a fumble recovery. Patrick Wells added five tackles and Tim Cheatwood sacked Drone and had two tackles for loss.
Luke Drone had a good night at the helm of the Peoria offense, completing 19 of 27 passes for 212 yards and six touchdowns. Kent Smith chipped in a TD pass on 2 of 3 passing.
Dante Ridgeway led the Pirates with six catches for 102 yards and four TDs. Darren Paige added seven catches for 71 yards and a score. Jonathan Schoonover contributed five catches with two TDs.
Brandon Hampton led the Pirates defense with six tackles and five takeaways – four interceptions and a fumble recovery, two going for TDs.
Josh Ferguson added nine tackles and Josh Harris added 61‚Ñ2 tackles. Marcus Lewis had two sacks.