BOX SCORE

Louisville, KY-After a slow start the Fire came out on top with a 53-22 victory over American conference opponent Mahoning Valley. This brings Louisville to a 5-3 overall record and the top of the Midwest division standings.

Early mistakes left the door open for the Thunder, who put up 14 points on a 24-yard pass and a short rush early in the first quarter. Following a series of long passes Aaron Marshall connected with PNC MVP of the game Ricardo Lenhart for a 30-yard score, putting the Fire on the scoreboard late in the

first quarter.

Early struggles left both squads scoreless almost the entire second quarter. With 2:33 remaining in the half, Louisville took control of the scoreboard. Marshall put up another pass to Lenhart in the back of the end zone tying the score at 14-14. Following the score, Tymere Zimmerman pulled down a Thunder intended pass giving Louisville a chance to take the upper hand. Fire veteran Demetrius Forney took advantage of this opportunity completing an 8-yard pass making the score 21-14. Following suit, Dominic Ross grabbed down another Mahoning Valley ball, setting up the third Marhsall Lenhart score of the game. With three seconds left in the half, Matt Forbes made an interception. The Fire retired to the locker room with a 28-14 lead.

Continuing their first half success, Louisville put up two early points off a safety completed by Fire defensive end Keller Speaks. A hard fought 20-yard punt return by Perry Kyles, set up the fourth Marshall Lenhart touchdown, marking the score at 37-14. With five minutes left in the third quarter, Matt Forbes pulled down his second interception of the evening, which led to a rushing score by Aaron Marshall. Despite the 44-14 lead the Fire defense, maintained pressure on the Thunder offense. Four Louisville defenders sacked Adler and Forbes tipped a Thunder pass to close out the third quarter.

Danny Kight put up three points for the Fire midway through the fourth quarter, pushing Louisville’s lead to 47-14. With three minutes remaining Mahoning Valley made an attempt to re-enter the game off a short rushing touchdown and a two-point conversion. Perry Kyles brought down a 40-yard punt return late in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. On his first Fire possession Quarterback Danny Southwick, was able to complete a short pass to Demetrius Forney. Louisville ended the game with an interception in the Thunder end zone and a 53-22 final score. That was the teams fifth interception for 84 yards, each setting a Louisville Fire record.

Louisville will return to Freedom Hall on Saturday, June 14 as they face division rival the Green Bay Blizzard. Visit www.louisvillefirefootall.com and click on the Nifty TV link to view the game.

Attendance: 4,952

RUSHING
MURPHY, Tim 4-53 (MVT)
FORNEY, Demetrius 7-16 (LOU)

PASSING
ADLER, Shane10-33-5-148 (MVT)
MARSHALL, Aaron 15-29-1-178 (LOU)

RECEIVING
TOLBERT, Henry 4-81 (MVT)
LENHART, Ricardo 7-99 (LOU)

PNC Bank Fire MVP-Ricardo Lenhart, LOU
Schutt Offensive Player-Aaron Marshall, LOU
ADT Defensive Player-Matt Forbes, LOU
JLS Ironman-Tymere Zimmerman, LOU
Cutter Catch-Ricardo Lenhart, LOU