Thunder revel in long-awaited win

Mahoning Valley overcame an injury to its top receiver and a last-second field goal attempt to beat Manchester, 41-39.

By JOHN BASSETTI

Vindicator staff writer

YOUNGSTOWN — There’s a Paul Brown aphorism hanging in the locker room of Struthers High’s renovated football stadium that reads: When you win, say nothing; when you lose, say less.

The Mahoning Valley Thunder didn’t adhere to the second part of the adage when it suffered through a 13-game losing streak, so there’s little chance that the words of wisdom dealing with humility in victory will keep the af2 team’s players quiet.

If there was ever a reason to celebrate, it was last Friday when the Thunder narrowly beat Manchester, 41-39, in New Hampshire.

Not only did the victory instill a dose of confidence, but it may have spoiled Manchester’s playoff chances.

For once, instead of being on the losing side of a close game, the Thunder was on the winning side. That’s because the Thunder was firing on all cylinders.

Although 2-13 doesn’t seem like a sign of progress, it’s much better than 1-14.

Mahoning Valley can come out from the woodwork.

“We finally did what we’ve been trying to do since I’ve been here,” coach Chris MacKeown said, “and that’s eliminate mistakes.”

The lone turnover was a Tom Zetts interception.

“Even on that one, he [Zetts] knows he shouldn’t have thrown it,” MacKeown said of his quarterback.

“But we got them [Manchester] into more third-down situations than we were in,” said MacKeown, stressing the positive side. “So, third downs lead to fourth downs and fourth downs lead to stops or field goals, which is basically a stop in our game.”

MacKeown didn’t spare praise of his defense.

“To hold Manchester to only six points in the first half is outstanding. Plus, the offense was solid and took care of the football and that’s how you win in this game.”

The game wasn’t decided until Frashon McGee blocked Chris Koepplin’s 42-yard field goal try with 0:02 remaining in front of 4,815 stunned fans at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

What was going through MacKeown’s mind while the outcome still hung in the balance?

“I was thinking I should have just kicked the one,” the coach said of his decision to forgo a point-after try in favor of a two-point conversion attempt following Pat Clark’s touchdown that gave Mahoning Valley its 41-39 lead at 0:10.

That pass failed and left the Thunder vulnerable.

“The reason I went for two [instead of the PAT] is because, at 1-13, you don’t play for a tie, you play for a win. But, if you don’t get it, you put yourself in jeopardy of losing on a field goal.”

The coach said he felt confident in the play designed for the conversion pass.

“We had it open, but we just didn’t get it completed. We threw it a little behind the receiver,” he said. “But we had the right play called.”

Again, at the time of the field goal attempt, MacKeown had second thoughts.

“We should have kicked the extra point to make sure we don’t lose this thing and play for overtime, but, at the time, a 1-13 team doesn’t play for ties, we play for the win.”

What made the victory more amazing is that C.J. Brewer was injured on the opening kickoff.

With offensive standout Quorey Payne sidelined for the past few weeks, the Thunder turned to Brewer as its playmaker. He entered the game with 993 yards via reception, but, right off the bat, he was done.

Mahoning Valley could have despaired.

“This team is playing awfully hard for a team that is 2-13,” MacKeown said. “There’s a lot of character on this team and they care about what we’re doing here. I’ve seen a lot of teams at this stage of the game who quit, but there’s not quit in them.”

Say no more.

bassetti@vindy.com