Thunder put out Fire
June 27, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Mahoning Valley Thunder News Release
Youngstown, OH. - The Mahoning Valley Thunder did their best to spoil Louisville's post season aspirations, extinguishing the Fire 42-41 in front of a rowdy home crowd at Youngstown's Chevrolet Centre. The teams combined for a surprising four rushing scores in the first half with Louisville taking a 21-14 lead into halftime.
A third quarter Shane Adler rushing score from a yard out knotted the game at 28 with just over four minutes to play in the quarter. That score held up until Adler found Quorey Payne behind the defense for a 35 yard touchdown reception that put Mahoning Valley up 35- 28. The Fire quickly bounced back when Quarterback Matt Bassuener raced around the right side from four yards out to even the score with just under three minutes to play.
With 2:11 remaining in the contest, John Tackmann's second rushing touchdown of the game ushered the Thunder in front of the Fire 42-35. But Mahoning Valley wasn't yet in the clear. On the game's final drive Louisville backup Quarterback Aaron Marshall, who played his college ball for nearby Youngstown State, raced 22 yards for a score with just nine seconds remaining. Following a Louisville penalty on the point after attempt, Kicker Danny Kight attempted to tie the game but his kick was blocked by Thunder Defensive Lineman Mike Lane. A failed onside kick attempt by the Fire allowed Mahoning Valley to kneel down and run the final nine seconds off the clock preserving their third win of the season 42-41.
RECORD SETTERS
Thunder Defensive Lineman Royce Morgan almost single handedly controlled the line of scrimmage. When he wasn't drawing offensive holding calls, Morgan was camping out in the Fire backfield. Royce rewrote the Thunder record books setting the Thunder mark for sacks in a game (3.5) and breaking Anton Ceaser's club record of sacks in a season with 12, Ceaser had 11 in 2007. Also etching his name in Mahoning Valley's record books was John Tackmann. The versatile rookie rushed for two scores giving him 14 on the season which ties Tim Murphy's team record from 2007.
Adler finish 11 of 23 for 170 yards with two touchdowns strikes and two interceptions, he also added a rushing score. Quorey Payne, making his Thunder debut at Wide Receiver snagged six catches totaling 120 yards, one of which went for a score. All three Thunder wins this season have come on Cortland Banks Field inside the Chevrolet Centre. The entire af2 has a bye next week for the Fourth of July Holiday.
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