Wolves falter in opener
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers handed the Manchester Wolves a 59-28 loss Friday night in the af2 season opener for both teams.
The Pioneers extended their series lead with the Wolves to 12-10 and have now stretched their home winning streak against the Wolves to 9-3
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton quarterback Ryan Vena completed 20 of 35 passes for 230 yards and seven touchdowns. The Wolves fought back from a 17-0 first-quarter deficit and closed the gap to 24-21 when quarterback James Pinkney hit Emery Sammons with a 19-yard scoring strike at 12:35 of the third quarter, but the Pioneers poured it on the rest of the way and grabbed a 52-21 advantage with under four minutes to play in the game.
The Wolves added their final touchdown with 1:39 left, when Pinkney connected with Deyon Williams on a 40-yard scoring strike to bring it to 52-28. Pinkney, who completed 21 of 38 throws for 233 yards and three touchdowns. He was also intercepted three times, and sacked three times for a loss of 13 yards.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defensive back Micheaux Robinson, who led the league in interceptions last year, picked off a pass and recorded 11 unassisted tackles.
The Wolves have a bye next week before heading to Green Bay to face the defending Midwest Division champion Blizzard on April 10th.
SCORING SUMMARY: 1 2 3 4 FINAL
MANCHESTER: 0 14 7 7 28
WBS: 14 10 7 28 59
PASSING:
PINKNEY (MAN): 21-38-233-3 INT; 3 TDs
VENA (WBS): 20-35-230- 0 INT; 7 TDs
RECEIVING:
(MAN:) D. Williams 10-125- 2TDs
(WBS): JJ Outlaw 8-89- 4 TDs
