MANCHESTER WOLVES CONTINUE PLAYOFF DRIVE ON SATURDAY NIGHT

The Manchester Wolves look to move one step closer to the arenafootball2 league playoffs on Saturday night when they square off against the underdog Mahoning Valley Thunder at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

The Wolves (6-7) have clawed back from a rocky start to the season and currently rank in ninth place for one of the eight American Conference playoff berths with three games left in the regular af2 season. The Thunder (3-10) sit in the cellar of the East division in the conference and won't be participating in the post season. Moreover, they have never beaten the Wolves since joining the af2 as an expansion team last year.

That doesn't necessarily make them an automatic check in the win column.

"Obviously the playoffs are not an incentive," said Thunder Head Coach Mike Hold. "But these guys are here for different reasons, one of which is moving up to the Arena Football League. So they have to play tough, as they have been. I am not concerned that we have to provide some incentive for them. They are going to play tough for personal reasons as well as for team reasons."

The Wolves need to keep winning and then hope that at least one of the teams perched above them gets knocked out of playoff contention.

To bolster their cause, they brought back Darnerius Watson this week for that late season run. Watson, a five-year veteran, starred on the Wolves teams which made the playoffs in each of the last three seasons and he is being counted upon to be an immediate impact player on the offensive line. Wide receiver Keith Stokes was also signed this week and even though he hasn't had much practice with the Wolves, he won't need a lot of repetitions to get used to the way quarterback James Pinkney throws the ball.

Pinkney and Stokes, both in their first year in the af2, were teammates for the East Carolina University Pirates. Even though they'll be wearing the same Wolves jerseys for the first time when they step onto Brady Sullivan Field at the arena on Saturday night, they already have their chemistry, rhythm, and timing down should Stokes see some playing time.

As for the Thunder quarterback, Shane Adler will be the third starter the Wolves have faced in the three contests between the two teams so far this season. Adler ripped the Wolves to shreds in the second game this year when he started for the Green Bay Blizzard and handed the Wolves their worst loss in franchise history, but since then the Wolves defensive has undergone a complete makeover and is playing altogether better.

Kickoff is at 7:05 PM and the game is designated as Fire Appreciation Night to benefit the MDA. it is also Luau Night and the Pelham Youth Flag Football League will play against the New Hampshire Football League in a game that features nine to 11 year olds at halftime. 

Tickets and great seating is still available and may be purchased at tickets@manchesterwolves.com or by calling 603-627-9653.