Wolves overcome slow start
The Manchester Wolves ended a three-game losing streak by defeating the Mahoning Valley Thunder 59-53 in arenafootball2 action Friday night at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio.
The victory raised Manchester's record to 5-7. Mahoning Valley suffered its 10th straight loss and fell to 1-11.
Manchester trailed 20-0 in the first quarter and 34-20 at halftime, but Mahoning Valley turned the ball over on four consecutive possesions in the second hal and allowed the Wolves to tie the game, 34-34. The Wolves pulled even on a touchdown pass from rookie quarterback Mike Potts to wide receiver Steven Savoy with 5:36 left in the third quarter.
The Wolves took their first lead, 48-47, with 55 seconds to play, but Mahoning Valley's Quorey Payne returned the ensuing kickoff for a TD that gave the Thunder a 53-48 advantage. Manchester gained possesion deep in Mahoning Valley territory when it recovered an onside kick and regained the lead when Potts scored on a QB keeper.
Mahoning Valley fumbled the ball away on its next possession, which allowed Manchester's Chris Keopplin to add a late field goal.
Manchester overcame four interceptions by Potts, who also threw five touchdown passes.
Manchester defensive back Brandon Isaac made a team-high five tackles, recovered a fumble and intercepted three passes.
