CHARLOTTE, N.C.  — Perfection is in sight for the Charlotte Thunder going 8-0 this season.

What You Need To Know

  • Arena League showdown Saturday vs. Reading

  • Charlotte has outscored opposition 536-128 through eight games

  • Thunder quarterbacks leading the way

Ervin Bryson’s team will host the Reading Raptors Saturday night inside Bojangle’s Coliseum trying to make it nine straight while trying to stop Reading’s eye-popping 54-game win streak.

“We look forward to the challenge.  A team like that has been playing for pretty good football," said head coach Ervin Bryson. "They run the ball really well.  They throw the ball really well. They have a lot of athletes on that team, and they play real good defense.  What’s the quality of their competition?  It’s kind of suspect.”

There is nothing suspect about what the players done this season, thanks to their own defense. Their offense has been just as dangerous thanks to a two-headed monster at the quarterback position.  

Jalan McClendon and Steffen Colon have handled the duties at the position, with both enjoying success and at the same time, cheering the other guy on.  This isn’t a quarterback competition, it’s a quarterback partnership

”At the end of the day, we both know we’re trying to accomplish the same goal," said the Charlotte native, McClendon. "We’re on the same team. So, whenever the other person is in, we’re cheering him on and helping him out. Tell him what we see when they come to the sidelines.  It’'s all nothing but love.”

While this has been McClendon’s first season in the indoor game, Colon has been here before, and McClendon realizes that his quarterback partner is built for this game with one defining characteristic.

“Definitely his leadership, for sure," McClendon continued. "He knows the game, [he’s] accurate, knows where to go with the ball, and he’s not a turnover guy. He’s really smart with the ball.”

Colon grinned at the compliment.

“You’re just happy that your guys trust you, and are willing to go through the wall for you. I think if you show your guys that you’ll go through the wall for them and you have their back. You make plays for them and the know you can make plays then you have that brotherhood.  And then you go through walls togetherm” Colon responded.

As a team, the Thunder has outscored their opponents 536-128 through eoght games, and with a multi-faceted attack, the quarterback's job is rather easy.

"We don’t mind if we run the ball or throw the ball, throwing is a little more exciting," Colon said. "We got the hogs up front, we got [David] Hamm running the ball, so sometimes you just get to have a cup of coffee and hand the ball off.  Sometimes you have to drop back and throw that rock, so either way, we’ll take it.”