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Win would break skeins, aid Booth
The Thunder are 1-6 going into Saturday’s game against the Manchester Wolves.
YOUNGSTOWN — Not that he’s self-centered, but Mahoning Valley Thunder coach Brennen Booth would like a victory against the Manchester Wolves in tonight’s af2 game in New Hampshire.
First and foremost, a victory would end the Thunder’s six-game losing streak in 2009 and end Manchester’s 5-0 lead in the series between the American Conference East Division members.
Thirdly, Booth would register his first win since being named interim head coach on April 28.
Since Booth is 0-2 and his team is 1-6, the Thunder needs it more.
“It doesn’t get any easier, but it’s not playing Tulsa and Wilkes-Barre,” Booth said in comparing the Wolves to two other opponents, both of whom shellacked Mahoning Valley twice earlier this season.
“Manchester is a very good team,” he said, pointing out that it lost by three points (53-50) to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on May 1.
“We’ve got to do what we’ve got to do as far as taking care of the football on offense and, defensively, getting some stops,” said Booth. “The only thing I ask this ballclub is to play your best and give us a chance to win in the fourth quarter.”
If the players heed their coach’s plea, the Thunder could possibly knock off the Wolves (3-4).
Booth said that offensive coordinator Andy Kelly made some changes in play-calling.
“He changed a little bit of stuff to make it easier, so that no matter if a play is called wrong or called right, the guy should still know what to do.”
Booth said that Mahoning Valley is going to run the football more now that Thunder fullback Brenton Brady is back.
“He gives us that other area of the running game that we lacked in recent weeks,” Booth said of yardage Brady gets via pitchouts or handoffs.
“All we want to do when we run the football is make positive yardage because it helps slow down the defensive ends from getting upfield [rushing] so much and that helps us in pass protection and Brenton definitely gives us that ability to do that. If they run straight ahead, then we’ll run underneath them.”
The teams last played July 12 with the Wolves winning, 53-27.
Brady was on injured reserve from the second game of the season until May 8. When he returned, Brady had four carries for 30 yards including a 15 yard scamper, a reception for 10 yards and 2 1/2 tackles on defense.
Backup quarterback Davon Vinson saw time on May 8 vs. Wilkes-Barre for the first time since April 11. Off the bench, Vinson completed both passes he attempted and each went for a touchdown.
Receiver C.J. Brewer has been a reliable target for Blake Powers and Vinson and he’s also doing well as a downfield blocker.”
For Thunder Jack linebacker Brandon Taylor, Friday’s game will be a return to where he played college ball: the University of New Hampshire.
The Thunder signed TaVoris Horton, a 6’1, 260 defensive lineman from Gardner-Webb University. He played two games with the af2’s Kentucky Horseman earlier this season and recorded a sack.
TaVoris arrived in Youngstown before boarding the team bus Thursday night. Horton is expected to start in Manchester in place of Mike Alston who is still banged up.
Horton will play on the defensive line and at linebacker, if necessary, and offensive line, if needed.
Also, George Murray, a wide receiver who’s been inactive the past two weeks, has been placed on team suspension. Murray continues to recover from injuries.
bassetti@vindy.com