The Thunder’s Shane is a no-nonsense guy

There’s no quit in the 25-year-old offensive lineman, who, off the field, shields himself from strangers until all is well.

By JOHN BASSETTI

Vindicator SPORTS staff

YOUNGSTOWN — Kenny Shane is an example of a big guy with little stats.

But the 6-foot-5, 320-pound Shane isn’t unlike hundreds of other offensive linemen.

Instead of a tackle here and a tackle there, the Mahoning Valley Thunder tight end leaves an imprint in other ways: physically.

“Since I’ve been here, I think Kelly Shane has gotten better,” Thunder coach Chris MacKeown said of watching Shane in the six games since MacKeown’s hiring on May 26.

“There were two or three times when he’d be slamming his guys up against the boards, even when the play is many yards away,” MacKeown said.

Although the Covelli Centre has a mixed martial arts show scheduled Sept. 2, Shane will do his own cagefighting against the Wolves in Manchester, N.H. this Friday and then again at home for the Thunder’s season-ending game against the Green Bay Blizzard on July 25.

“There’s no quit in him,” said MacKeown. “He’s playing hard every snap and he’s great to have here. He’s a great character guy and he [does] things coaches every where preach. He plays to the whistle with no let-up. He’s one of those guys.”

Shane’s description of himself wouldn’t be as revealing.

“I’m kind of shy,” the former Michigan State player said. “I kind of keep to myself until I get to know you, then I come out of my shell. I like to joke around, too.”

Therefore, Shane’s first impression might not be a good one.

“I might look kind of mean and scary, but deep down, I’m kind of a nice guy.”

It’s coincidental that Shane and Thunder teammate Jon Loyte were on the same field in the Champ Sports Bowl in Dec., 2007, when Boston College beat the Spartans.

“Yeah, he was on that team,” Shane groused.

After college, Shane took part in a pro day.

“Nothing really happened, so I kind of sat out for a year,” the Indianapolis native said until he got a call to play af2.

He eventually ended up in training camp for the Boise Burn this spring, but he didn’t stay with the National Conference West Division team.

“I made the team, but it really didn’t look like I was going to play, so I asked to be released,” said Shane, who landed with the Thunder during week 3.

Even though they’re not winning, Shane has found the season to his liking.

“I just wanted a chance to play on the field and show what I could do.”

The 25-year-old hopes that af2 isn’t the end to his football.

“I still want to play football. Hopefully, I can get a shot.”

Shane has been a starter on the offensive line since the sixth game. He, center Jerrick Jeffreys and guard Derrick Markray comprise the team’s steadiest trio.

“I really like run blocking, although in this league, we don’t do that much of it,” Shane said of his defining skill.

Defensive linemen who Shane declares “the best in our league” are Justin Parish and Royce Morgan of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

What’s the word with two games remaining?

“I’m looking to go out, make a statement and get a win. I believe we can do it. Everybody’s just got to pull together and keep trying.”

bassetti@vindy.com