‘Beat It’: Thunder’s wish vs. Pioneers

Mahoning Valley has never beaten Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in seven previous meetings.

Vindicator staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — As a tribute to the late Michael Jackson and also as motivational music for the Mahoning Valley Thunder against the Wilkes-Barre Pioneers, the Covelli Centre audio engineers should blare “Beat It” before tonight’s game.

But Mahoning Valley is 0-7 against the Pioneers, who have already clinched the American Conference East Division crown and an af2 playoff spot.

In their last meeting on May 8, the Pioneers beat the Thunder, 73-37.

Wilkes-Barre currently has the conference’s best record of 10-2 headed to the playoffs.

With three-fourths of the season behind, Thunder coach Chris MacKeown looks at Wilkes-Barre:

“They’re a veteran, experienced team that rarely hurts itself,” he said. “A large number of their players have been with the Pioneers prior to this season so they are familiar with the game plan and have a good chemistry with one another. We will need to keep our mistakes minimal and create turnovers if we want to get the win.”

Mahoning Valley released WR/DB De’Tario Frederick and kicker Derek Schorejs left the team because of his outside job.

Signed in their place were Nathan Palkovic — the Thunder’s emergency kicker against Manchester — and WR/DB Ricardo Lenhart.

Mahoning Valley is expected to sign former YSU quarterback Tom Zetts in the next two weeks but nothing is official yet.

In the 59-53 loss to the Wolves last Friday, Mahoning Valley newcomer Patrick Wells recorded a game-high 10 tackles and a forced fumble. After falling behind by three scores, Manchester outscored the Thunder 59-33 over the final 47 minutes.

The playoffs will include 16 teams — eight from each conference.

The 2009 ArenaCup — af2’s 10th anniversary championship event — will be August 22 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Tennessee Valley (9-3) and Iowa (7-4) are South Division and Midwest Division leaders, respectively, with the second- and third-best records, respectively, among the American Conference’s top eight.

In the National Conference unbeaten West Division leader Spokane (11-0) is No. 1, followed by Central Division champion Tulsa (11-1) and current Southwest Division leader No. 3 Arkansas (8-4).

This will be the first time the af2 title game will be held in Las Vegas.

The Arena Football League (AFL) held two ArenaBowl Championship games in Las Vegas in 2005 and 2006.

This is the fourth time in the last five seasons the af2 has held a neutral-site ArenaCup.

A neutral-site championship game gives fans time to make plans to attend the game and allows the league to put together a unique sports and entertainment weekend.