The Mahoning Valley Thunder trailed Milwaukee 28-7 in the second quarter of their AF2 game Friday.  The Thunder rallied back to tie the game at 34 apiece, but eventually ended up losing the contest, 58-47.  The Milwaukee offense scored 41 of their 58 points in the first and third quarter.  The Thunder failed to score in the final quarter to extend their road losing streak to 17 straight and their 2009 campaigns ninth straight loss. 

Milwaukee QB Todd Hammel threw for 337 yards and seven touchdowns without a fumble or an interception.  Hammel’s main target of the night was Antoine Burns who caught eight passes for 112 yards and three touchdowns.  Burns also added a rushing touchdown for the Iron.  WR Bryan Pray also did damage catching seven Hammel passes for 79 yards and a TD.

Quorey Payne was nothing short of sensational in the loss for Mahoning Valley.  Payne had two special teams touchdowns for the Thunder.  A 50-yard kickoff return and a 50-yard missed field goal attempt yielded big in Mahoning Valleys rally.  Starting QB Davon Vinson played well in defeat throwing for 222 yards on 20-34 passes.Vinson finished the game with five TD’s and one pick.  CJ Brewer stepped up and had twelve receptions for 107 yards and three TD’s.  Hopefully this is a sign of things to come for Mahoning Valley offensively.  Brewer catching that many balls will force opposing defenses to better defend him leaving Payne a little operating space.  If a defense chooses not to worry as much about Brewer, than Vinson -to- Brewer will be a resounding tandem the rest of the season.

The Thunder get back on the bus Friday and head to Albany for their third meeting with the Firebirds on Saturday night.