May 10, 2008

 

DAYTONA BEACH, FL –  Four days after winning their first game in franchise history, the ThunderBirds enjoyed another first on Thursday evening when the knocked off the Albany Conquest 62-53.  Daytona Beach ThunderBirds QB Matt Bohnet passed for 290 yards and 8 touchdowns.  Daytona’s win excited the crowd of  1,500 who showed up to watch the ThunderBirds try to make it two wins in a row after knocking off the Manchester Wolves on the road last Sunday.  After opening the season with five straight losses and a coaching change after week 2, the ThunderBirds look like a new team under Head Coach Gary Compton.

 

Even after having a career day, Bohnet was still quick to praise the offensive line and receivers for the game they played.  “We are finally clicking on Offense.  We have some new receivers and offensive linemen.  Our success all starts with the Offensive Line.  Teiano, Tellis and Brian did a great job and the receivers made some great catches which makes my job easier back there."

 

Daytona Beach WR Lamar Hughes caught seven passes for 122 yards and five touchdowns for the ThunderBirds (2-5), who seemed to score almost at will after struggling offensively for most of the season.  Hughes came into the game as the fourth receiver but stepped in for the injured Toris Rutledge, the teams leading receiver going into this game.  Albany WR Chris Bocage caught 10 passes for 178 yards and four touchdowns for the Conquest (3-3). Daytona Beach won its second game in a row.

 

Hughes was extremely pleased with the game and the way he sees the season changing for the ThunderBirds.  “"I am a competitor.  I like to win and I hate losing.  It is part of the game but we have a young team but we are starting to come together as a unit.  We have a great coach and he knows what he is talking about."  Hughes recognized the difference that Coach Compton has made and he sees a big difference with the team from the start of the season until now.  "This is a completely different team than what we started out with. We are a real united unit right now.  Winning is contagious, whether it’s home or away.  We had to start somewhere and we all hope to continue." 

 

 

Daytona Beach went into the half with a 35-21 lead.  The ThunderBirds were outscored by the Conquest in the third quarter but finished strong in the fourth quarter.   The defense was lead by linemen Dominic Lee, Adrian Wilson and Jerome Walker who combined to sack Dan Cole four times and pressure him for most of the game.  DL Adrian Wilson said the play of the offense in the first half motivated the defense to come out stronger in the second half.  “We came out slow in the first half. The Offense did their part so we had to come out strong in the second half and do our part.”

 

 

 

This was the first meeting between the two franchises.  The ThunderBirds will be back in action on Sunday, May 18 when the Boise Burn comes to town.  Game starts at 3:00 at the Ocean Center.  For ticket information go to www.dbthunderbirds.com.

Score By Quarter       1        2           3        4
Albany                     7       20         19        7       53       Record: (3-3)

Daytona Beach          14     21         14       13      62       Record: (2-5)

 

LEADERS:

PASSING: BOHNET (DAY) 22-34-290-3 INT (8 TD passes); COLE (ALB): 23-38-329-1INT (6 TD passes)

RECEIVING:  HUGHES (DAT) 7-122-5; BOCAGE (ALB) 10-178-4

 

Schutt Offensive Player of the Game: Matt Bohnet (DAB)

JLS Ironman of the Game: Lamar Hughes (DAB)

ADT Defensive Player of the Game:  Brandon Taylor (ALB)

Cutters Catch of the Game: Lamar Hughes (DAB)