NAFL ACTION: Lightning only thing that can stop Thunder

New Castle News

August 11, 2008 08:21 am

— PERRY, Ohio — Lightning stopped the New Castle Thunder-Ohio Invaders matchup Saturday night at 3:12 in the second quarter.
Anthony Razzano, owner of the 8-0 franchise, will talk with North American Football League's league officials on how to resolve the outcome. New Castle was leading 21-0 when the officiating crew ordered the Perry Alumni Stadium field evacuated.
Thunderstorms arrived in the area at approximately 8 p.m. Officials called the game nearly two hours later.
If the Steel Valley encounter had reached halftime, the Thunder would have been awarded the victory.
Razzano must learn how the league will address the matter. Among the options include restarting the contest at the 3:21 mark; replaying the entire game at a site to be determined; having the Invaders forfeit the contest; or dropping the game from the Thunder's schedule.
Prior to the stoppage, New Castle was en route to crushing the host Invaders.
Quarterback Tom Gainor, substituting for starter Cecil Howard, fired a 24-yard touchdown pass to Pat Cain, a New Castle High graduate, at 9:39 of the first quarter. Howard could not play as the result of military obligations.
Baretta Chavis’ 42-yard interception return to the Invader 17 set up the next Thunder first-quarter score. Chavis is also a New Castle product. With 3:19 remaining, Gainor hit Clem Ragster on a 16-yard aerial for six points.
During the Invaders’ next series, Chavis collected his third aerial theft on the Invaders’ second play from scrimmage.
Brandon Dando (Laurel) took over in the quarterback slot two plays later when Gainor injured his knee. He engineered a 10-play drive that went into the second quarter. On a second-and-goal on the Ohio 3, Dando rushed in for the score.
Antonio Reino (Laurel) nailed the three after-point attempts.
Whether the stats or the score hold up will be determined by league officials.

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