Some things in life never seem to materialize.  With all of the factors working against the Mahoning Valley Thunder, their 2009 season came to an end on the wrong side of a 63-43 score against the Green Bay Blizzard.  When you add up all of the season-ending injuries, coaching changes, and constant roster moves, it seemed like a nearly impossible task put in front of coaches Chris MacKeown and Brennan Booth.  This game typified what things could have been, as well as, what never materialized.

The Thunder took the opening kickoff and marched 38 yards capitalized by a Tom Zetts to Jermaine Moye 9-yard TD pass for a 7-0 lead, the only score by either team in the first quarter.  Zetts found Pat Clark for a 36-yard TD putting the Thunder up 14-0.

After a Green Bay TD to cut the lead to 14-7, Mahoning Valley’s offense took the field on their own 5-yard line.  Zetts fumbled while eluding a furious Green Bay rush and had the ball jarred in the end zone.  Green Bay pounced on the loose pigskin to tie the game at 14-14.

YSU Alum and Mineral Ridge graduate Brian Palmer kicked a 45-yard FG tying a franchise record to give the Thunder a 17-14 lead.  Palmer had three FG’s on the night (45, 35, 22) and made all but one extra point.  He also had a great night kicking the ball off.

On the very next possession, Green Bay QB and former Cincinnati Bearcat, Gino Guidugli found his favorite target Nate Forse for a 47-yard touchdown putting the Blizzard back on top 21-17.

Mahoning Valley responded as Moye caught a pass from Zetts and made a great run-after-catch to slip into the end zone and put Mahoning Valley back on top 24-21.

After another Green Bay drive and TD, Palmer kicked a 35-yarder to cut the Green Bay halftime lead to just one point at 28-27.  The first half was a perfect example of what could have been for the Thunder’s 2009 season.  They played with fire and intensity, minimized mistakes, and were playing dead even with a 9-6 team.

Unfortunately, any level of American football plays two halves.  The Thunder jumped on top riding another Palmer kick from 22 yards to take a 30-28 lead.  Green Bay scored the next two TD’s and had a 42-30 lead in the fourth quarter.  The Thunder tried to battle back as Zetts found wide receiver convert Frashon McGee for a 27-yard TD to cut the lead to 42-36.  Unfortunately, the Thunder got no closer than the six-point deficit and went on to lose 63-43.  The last Thunder TD came on a 31-yard pass from Zetts to McGee.

Tom Zetts finished the game 20-43 for 272 yards and five TD’s.  Jermaine Moye led Mahoning Valley with 8 catches for 108 yards and two TD’s.  Gino Guidugli was 23-32 for 271 yards and 4 TD’s for Green Bay.  Turnovers played a big role in this game as Mahoning Valley coughed it up three times compared to Green Bay’s one.

There will be plenty more Thunder coverage over the next couple of weeks including a season summary I will be compiling.  There will also be a feature on Christian Aleshere and Anthony Farris, the voices of the Thunder.  I interviewed seven people including an owner, Tim Chesney, after the game about the future of this team playing in Youngstown again next season – look for bits and pieces coming soon!