DAYTONA BEACH, FL – ThunderBirds QB Matt Bohnet played brilliantly in his second game with the team as he passed for 303 yards and four touchdowns while running for two more scores as the Daytona Beach ThunderBirds (1-5) won its’ first game of the season and first game in franchise history 56-42 against the Manchester Wolves (1-4) at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, NH.  A crowd of 5,200 went home stunned as the ThunderBirds scored two touchdowns in the final 2:12 to secure the win.  This was Head Coach Gary Compton’s first win with the ThunderBirds.  

Wide Receiver Jeremy Grier had a career game for the ThunderBirds with 14 receptions for 107 yards.  He caught three touchdown passes and ran for a fourth score.  Toris Rutledge also had a solid game for the ThunderBirds catching nine passes for 62 yards including the game winning score. 

The ThunderBirds defense was lead by Jocques Richardson who had two interceptions on the day including an interception return for a touchdown on the final play of the game.  Richardson also had three tackles on the day and played brilliantly in pass coverage against the speedy Manchester receivers.  “While I think I had a solid game, I have to give credit to our defensive line for the pressure they put on their quarterback which made him have to rush his reads and put our defensive backs in a position to make plays,” Richardson said.  When asked what this win will mean for the ThunderBirds as they move forward on the season, Richardson recognized the long term value of this win.  “The pressure of being a losing team has come off our backs and I believe this first win will create a snowball effect in future games.”

When asked what the difference was today compared to the previous five games, Richardson was definitive in his answer.  “Everybody played hard in the fourth quarter.  We played as a team.  It wasn’t the best game we played but it was certainly our best fourth quarter.”

After the game Coach Compton was extremely happy with the win and with the teams’ play overall.  “It was an exciting game.  We played sixty minutes of football and when we needed a score we got it and when we needed a stop we got it,” Coach Compton said.  In true Head Coach fashion, Coach Compton was already thinking ahead to the next game.  “We have a short week to get ready for Thursday night but we will make sure we are ready to play when Albany comes into town.

The ThunderBirds will be at home on Thursday when Albany Conquest come into town for a game at the Ocean center.  Kickoff is at 7:00 pm.  The game will be broadcast on WROD – 1340 AM.  For more information on the Daytona Beach ThunderBirds go to www.DBThunderBirds.com. 

Score by Quarters             1        2      3      4            Score

Daytona Beach ThunderBirds    13      11    13    19           32  Record: (1-5)

Manchester Wolves                   13       13    10      6                48  Record: (1-4)

LEADERS:

PASSING: BOHNET (DAY) 30-49-2 (4 TD); PINKNEY (MAN) 13-19-2 (4 TD's) 

RECEIVING: GRIER (DAY) 14-107-3; SAMMONS (MAN) 5-116-2

Schutt Offensive Player of the Game: Jeremy Grier (DAY)

JLS Ironman of the Game: Bradley Chavex (MAN)

ADT Defensive Player of the Game:  Raquan Pride (MAN)

Cutters Catch of the Game: Emery Sammons (MAN)