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Poor start finishes off Thunder in game against Ky. Horsemen
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Thunder Quorey Payne (1) gets tripped up by Kentucky Horsemen J.T. Haskins (3) at Covelli Centre, Saturday May 30, 2009.
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New Thunder coach Chris MacKeown talks to Blake Powers 8 at Covelli Centre, Saturday May 30, 2009.
Mahoning Valley gave up 27 in the first quarter and eventually fell 61-39 for its eight straight loss.
Vindicator staff report
YOUNGSTOWN — Views on the Mahoning Valley Thunder’s current losing condition vary, but one aspect of Saturday’s 61-39 loss to the Kentucky Horsemen that is clear: take away Kentucky’s 27 first-quarter points and the result wouldn’t have been a record eighth straight loss for Mahoning Valley.
It’s some consolation knowing that the outcome would have been a 39-34 Thunder victory, but it also points out how big a factor the Thunder’s poor start was.
Mistakes doomed the Thunder, new coach Chris MacKeown said.
“We put ourselves in a hole,” he said of the first play of the second series. “We had a false start, then we fumbled the snap and they went down and scored on the next possession. Then we came back and had a guy open for a TD but he [C.J. Brewer] dropped the ball in the end zone. On the next play, we throw an interception. We should have had the touchdown and shouldn’t have turned it over. That took away 7 from us and gave 7 to them.”
The list goes on, including poor tackling when John Cooper made a catch, then spun around Darrell Carlton and cruised to a 27-yard TD and 34-13 lead.
MacKeown said those issues, as well as penalties (10 for 77 yards), were to be addressed at Sunday’s meeting and film session.
As the gap widened, Mahoning Valley tried several onside kicks, which resulted in easy scores by the Horsemen.
“They were the only chance we had to get ourselves back in the game,” MacKeown said. “Lexington has a high-powered offense. We have to get where Lexington is and we will get where Lexington is.”
What may have been a momentum-changer was DL Mike Alston’s fumble recovery for a touchdown that would have put the Thunder within 55-45. However, it was ruled illegal because Alston kicked to ball to keep opponents away.
“All we had to do was pick it up instead of kick it and go down and score and be within 10 or 9,” said MacKeown.
Mac linebacker Taz Wallace was asked if opposing quarterbacks are not getting pressured enough.
“There’s no excuse, as football players it’s our job to make plays,” he said. “I’m not pointing fingers. Regardless of who it is, we have to go out and make plays. We’re not getting it done as a group. It’s most important that we stay together as a team. It’s all one. There’s not separation. We’ve just got to keep working harder and start making plays.”
The losing is a big deal, but Mahoning Valley players are trying to stay positive.
“We all have bad days,” said Wallace, “but the most important thing is to stay the course and continue to work hard.”
He said it’s not fun playing catch-up every week.
“We’ve got to start playing ahead and we can’t keep playing from behind. We have to make plays.”
Wallace said he’s never been part of a losing streak like this.
“Yeah, it’s new territory, but the guys are going to keep working hard.”
Hidden by Saturday’s loss were Quorey Payne’s 11 catches for 143 yards and two TDs.
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