Altoona quarterback Brodie Johnson passes during the Rails’ 13-7 loss at Eau Claire Regis on Saturday, September 6.

   The Altoona football team lost another close gridiron battle on Saturday, September 6 at Carson Park in Eau Claire, falling to Eau Claire Regis 13-7. For the second week in a row, the Railroaders (0-2 Cloverbelt Conference, 0-2 overall) finished the first half of the game in a scoreless tie, but the Ramblers (2-0 Cloverbelt Conference, 2-0 overall) prevailed with a couple big plays late in the game.

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   The Altoona football team played a very solid game against the Stanley-Boyd Orioles, holding the visitors scoreless until the 4:47 mark of the third quarter, but eventually fell to the Orioles 24-6 at Fuzzy Thurston Field on Friday, August 29.

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   Just two years ago, the Altoona High School football team qualified for the post-season playoffs. Due to injuries at essential positions, however, they fell on hard times and finished out of playoff contention in 2007. Now, the transition from last year will have to be completed with a few new faces for this year’s campaign. 

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   Eight-year-old Riley Lewis has not missed a Mahoning Valley Thunder game this season. His favorite Thunder player is 2002 Altoona High School graduate John Tackmann. Tackmann, who played his college football at Winona State University, put together an excellent season for the af2 Thunder in 2008. Despite only having 42 rushing attempts on the season, Tackmann set the team record for most rushing touchdowns in a season with 16.
   On Sunday, July 27, the Thunder auctioned off their home blue jerseys. Lewis and his father had their eyes set on Tackmann’s jersey, but were outbid by another fan. Tackmann, who was watching as the events unfolded, gave the young boy his still sweaty and freshly autographed road jersey.
   “Tackmann might be number five on the field, but he is number one in the hearts of many Mahoning Valley Thunder fans,” Thunder head coach Mike Hold said.
   Tackmann also played linebacker for the Thunder. Through the season he recorded one interception, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble, and finished second on the team with 69 total tackles.

   2002 Altoona High School graduate John Tackmann scored two touchdowns, including what proved to be the game-winner, as the Mahoning Valley Thunder defeated the Louisville Fire 42-41 in af2 football in Youngstown, Ohio on Friday, June 27.
   Tackmann tied a team single-season record with his 14th rushing touchdown of the year on a 1-yard run with 27 seconds left that put the Thunder ahead 42-35. Louisville responded with a touchdown with nine seconds to go, but the extra point was blocked to seal the Thunder win.
   Tackmann also had 5.5 tackles, earning his sixth Ironman of the Game award this season.

   2002 Altoona High School graduate John Tackmann will return to Wisconsin on Friday, June 20, when his Mahoning Valley Thunder play the Green Bay Blizzard in af2 football at the Resch Center in Green Bay.
   Tackmann has started all 10 games thus far at linebacker for the Thunder, being named Ironman of the Game in five of them and the league’s Ironman of the Week award in his debut. He has also played quarterback in the team’s goal-line package, leading the team with 11 rushing touchdowns.
   Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., with a pre-game gathering for Tackmann’s fans being held prior to the game from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at the Stadium View Bar and Grill on Holmgren Way. All fans making the trip are invited to attend.

   2002 Altoona High School graduate John Tackmann was named Ironman of the Game for the fifth time this season as his Mahoning Valley Thunder broke a seven-game losing streak to defeat the Albany Conquest 44-31 in af2 football in Youngstown, Ohio, on Saturday, May 31.

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   Altoona alumnus John Tackmann was named the Ironman of the Game for the second consecutive week for his performance with the Mahoning Valley Thunder of af2, the developmental circuit of the Arena Football League.

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Altoona alumnus John Tackmann started his af2 professional football career with a bang on Saturday, March 29, earning league-wide recognition after scoring three touchdowns and finishing with a game-high 6.5 tackles as his Mahoning Valley Thunder defeated the Albany Conquest 59-33.

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For the first time in 40 years, an Altoona High School alumnus will be playing professional football. On Saturday, 2002 graduate John Tackmann will start his first game at linebacker for the Mahoning Valley Thunder of af2, the developmental circuit of the Arena Football League.

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