Pioneers defeat Thunder 56-26

Sunday May 13, 2007

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Wilkes-Barre/Scranton remains unbeaten after a 56-26 victory over the Mahoning Valley Thunder on Cortland Banks Field at the Chevrolet Centre in front of 3,890.  The Thunder have now lost three straight games including two straight at home.

The Pioneers (6-0) were in charge much of the game, leading by as many as 29 points in the third quarter.  QB Ryan Vena threw a game-high seven touchdowns, including a 40-yard strike to WR Tyreak Saviour in the fourth quarter.  Vena finished 25-of-33 on the day for 321 yards.

Saviour, who entered the game with 11 touchdowns, caught nine passes for a game-high 143 yards and three touchdowns.  His back-to-back touchdown catches of 40 and 29 yards, respectively, sealed the game for the Pioneers.

Offensively, the Thunder (3-3) struggled for the second straight week.  QB Glen Gauntt threw three interceptions for the second time this season, finishing just 18-of-43 for 226 yards and three touchdowns.  WR Chris Archie caught eight passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns.

Vena garnered Schutt Offensive Player of the Game honors for the second consecutive week for his performance.  WR/DB TuTu Ferguson intercepted two of Gauntt’s passes, with his second takeaway earning him the Cutters Catch of the Game.

Score by Quarters           1        2        3        4         Score
WB/S Pioneers                  14      21       7       14           56       Record: (6-0)
Mahoning Valley Thunder    7        6        7        6           26       Record: (3-3)

LEADERS:
PASSING: GAUNTT, Glen (MVT) 18-43-226-3; VENA, Ryan (WBS) 25-33-321-0
RECEIVING: ARCHIE, Chris (MVT) 8-105-2; SAVIOUR, Tyreak (WBS) 9-143-3

Schutt Offensive Player of the Game: Ryan Vena (WBS)
U.S. Army Ironman of the Game: Larry Kendrick (WBS)
ADT Defensive Player of the Game: TuTu Ferguson (WBS)
Cutters Catch of the Game: TuTu Ferguson INT (WBS)