Pioneers in good spot for Thunder

Earlier this season, Mahoning Valley pushed Wilkes-Barre/Scranton through the Pioneers’ lowest scoring victory of the season.

The Thunder kept the game tied through the first quarter and held a lead in the second before Wilkes-Barre/Scranton took control of the game for good.

But that all seems like a different season and a different team with the strides Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has made in the last two games. Now, heading into today’s 6:30 p.m. Eastern Division contest with the Thunder at the Chevrolet Centre in Youngstown, Ohio, the Pioneers seem poised to take another big leap with two of their biggest offensive weapons back from the 2007 season -- Ryan Vena and David Davis.

“If we would have had any offense in that first game, it would have been a runaway,” said Pioneers Coach Rich Ingold of the 33-20 victory on April 11. “We gave them three interceptions. Now our offense matches our defense, there’s more balance.”

Since the addition of Vena to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s roster, the Pioneers have averaged 24 more points and 57 more offensive yards. The defense has also flourished, adding eight sacks in the last two games.

Now Davis’ return after being released from the L.A. Avengers of the AFL adds another dimension to the Pioneers’ offense.

Replacing Cameron Broadwell, who was 19-for-26 in extra points and missed his only field goal attempt, Davis gives the kicking position more stability after Wilkes-Barre/Scranton saw three different kickers in the early part of the season. Broadwell had two kicks blocked in last week’s 68-50 win over Manchester mainly because they came low off his foot.

“Davis is a consistent kicker,” said Vena. “He was the (af2) kicker of the year, what more can you say about him. In L.A., he did a great job. It’s weird how things work out sometimes. We’re just pleased to have him now.”

But it’s doubtful that either Vena or Davis is going to have to work very hard to get past the struggling Mahoning Valley Thunder.

Including the Week Three matchup with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the Thunder have lost four straight games, including three to Eastern Division opponents.

Mahoning Valley quarterback Josh Swogger (69-138, 771 yds., 16 TDs, 3 int.) has also struggled this season, putting up a season-low 10 passes completed versus Albany on March 29.

Two losses, specifically a 45-39 loss to Manchester in Week 2 and a 41-35 loss to Lexington in Week 4, were both decided in the fourth quarter by one touchdown.

Fullback John Tackman (14-69 yds., 6 TDs) is the Thunder’s main threat on the ground. Mahoning Valley has been known to use Tackman not only in the goal-line situation, but during drives for a quick first down.

Henry Tolbert (25-239 yds., 7 TDs) and DeMarcus Mathes (21-256 yds., 5 TDs) are the Thunder’s leading receivers. Tolbert caught the 7-yard pass from Swogger in the third quarter of the Pioneers’ first meeting with the Thunder that put Mahoning Valley ahead 20-14. Since then, he has caught four more.

“They’ve lost a couple by one play,” said Ingold, “so they’re on top of their game. We’re not taking anything for granted.”

Notes: The Monday game in Mahoning Valley gives the Pioneers a short week before hosting Quad City on Saturday for the second time this season. Ingold wasn’t concerned about the short work week before a game that handed his team a Week 1 loss.

Said Ingold of the short week, “I’m not concerned. The guys, they just want to get out and play. If it was earlier in the season, then maybe I worry. Right now, we’re in the groove.”

Wide receiver Tyreak Saviour has been sidelined because of a knee injury suffered in practice last week. Team officials say Saviour will have to undergo arthroscopic surgery and will be out five to six weeks before he will be ready to play again.

UP NEXT

Pioneers (4-1) at Mahoning Valley (1-4)

WHAT’S AT STAKE: For the Pioneers: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton needs a win in order to stay in front of a surging Albany in the Eastern Division. For the Thunder: A win gets Mahoning Valley back on track after four straight losses, three of which were to Eastern Division opponents.