Powerful Pioneers make way to Valley

The Thunder hopes to redeem itself by beating league leader Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

By JOHN BASSETTI

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning Valley Thunder has a chance to redeem itself when the local af2 franchise takes on Wilkes-Barre/Scranton tonight — a team it has never beaten in six tries.

“From a talent standpoint, they can compete with anyone in the league. They do a good job of focusing one week at a time,” Thunder coach Brennen Booth said of the team that blew out Mahoning Valley, 80-43, in the first of three meetings between the American Conference Eastern Division teams this season.

“They never seem to be rattled or play with overconfidence,” Booth said about the visiting Pioneers. “Right now, they’re leading the division, that’s where we want to be. To be the champ you have to beat the champ so we need be physical and take care of business.”

Thunder players Matt Brunck and its newest acquisition, Darrell Carlton, both spent time with Wilkes-Barre this season. Carlton was also with the Thunder for part of the 2007 season. Wilkes-Barre defensive end Royce Morgan played with Mahoning Valley in 2008 and set the franchise sack record (15).

In the Thunder’s latest loss, a 50-41 defeat at Albany, defensive back Jamar Landrom played his best game of the season. The rookie DB led the team with nine tackles, intercepted his team-leading third pass of the season and recorded four pass breakups.

Tonight’s game marks the first time Mahoning Valley will play in the Covelli Centre. The arena was previously known as the Chevrolet Centre but underwent a name change last week.

The Thunder also had a change in head coach recently when Booth became interim head coach after replacing Mike Hold on April 28.

The Pioneers’ only loss was to the Kentucky Horseman on the road on April 11 when Kentucky won, 63-56.

Last Saturday, the Horsemen scored big in winning at the Peoria Pirates, 93-72, in front of 3,978 disappointed fans.

Jared Lorenzen and Justin Rascati split duties at quarterback for the Horsemen, combining for 11 total touchdowns and 342 yards through the air.

The Spokane Shock continues its monopoly on the No. 1 ranking in the af2’s Week 7 coaches poll. Spokane collected all possible points with 384 and 24-of-25 first place votes in securing the top spot for the eighth consecutive week. Spokane (5-0) is the only remaining undefeated team in the league.

In glancing at some of the statistical categories, opponents are outscoring Mahoning Valley, 368-232 or 61.3 points per game to 38.7.

The Thunder has lost 11 of 15 fumbles to opponents’ five of 11.

Mahoning Valley has passed for 1244 yards to the opposition’s 1720. The Thunder has completed 118 of 204 attempted passes (with 10 interceptions) to opponents’ 138 of 204 (with five interceptions).

The Thunder is behind on fourth-down conversions, five of 16 (31%) to opponents’ six of 12 (50%).

The red-zone touchdown success rate (from inside the 10-yard line) is down, too, with Mahoning Valley converting 15-27 (56%) to opponents’ 26-35 (74%).

Clarence Curry is the team tackling leader with : 31 solo and 10 assists in six games.

vassetti@vindy.com