HUNTINGTON, W.

Monday, July 16, 2001

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The final game wasn’t much different than the rest. In their final regular season game, the River Cities LocoMotives were guilty of several turnovers, they lost, and they lost by a large margin,this time 27-3.

All those things have been familiar facets in LocoMotive games, but there is another facet that has been prominent.

"The good thing about this season is that we didn’t quit," LocoMotives coach Melvin Cunningham said. "This season has given us a good basis for improvement next season."

The LocoMotives were scheduled to play Yakima, Wash., but instead faced a familiar foe in the Ohio Valley Greyhounds. Yakima was unable to make the trip and Ohio Valley had an open date. The win gave the Greyhounds a 5-0 record against the LocoMotives this season.

One turnover came early for the LocoMotives when newly acquired quarterback Shantay Taylor threw an interception deep in his own territory and Ohio Valley already leading 6-0 on quarterback Wilkie Perez’ 1-yard touchdown run.

The Greyhounds capitalized quickly as Perez hit John Jenkins with a 9-yard touchdown pass and a 13-0 lead.

River Cities threatened on its next possession but was stopped on fourth down at the 4-yard line.

Lightning struck the LocoMotives moments later as Perez hit Ryan Sivlis with a 37-yard touchdown bomb and it was 20-0.

The lead was stretched to 27-0 on a 14-yard pass from Perez to running back Dwayne Schulters.

Perez and Schulters combined to provide much of the offensive fireworks. Perez was an efficient 7-of-11 for 64 yards and three touchdowns playing only the first half while Schulters had 138 yards rushing on 28 carries.

Taylor sputtered early but finished 6-of-1`7 for 32 yards in his first start in front of the hometown fans.