In Arena Football, similar to a backyard pickup game, there are really only two options to winning.
Option one: score more points than your opponent by scoring on every offensive possession.
Option two: stop the opposition every once in a while, maybe even only once, and you win as long as it’s combined with option one.
The Cleveland Gladiators did neither on May 31 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. The result? A 68-52 loss to the now 11-2 Dallas Desperados. The defeat dropped the Gladiators to 7-6.
While the Cleveland offense was firing on all cylinders, Dallas took matters into its own hands early, recovering an onside kick that ended up putting them in the lead for good. That possession opened up a 10-point lead for the Desperados. Cleveland closed the gap to three numerous times, but mainly they were down by 10 the rest of the game.
They did have a chance to regain the upper hand at the end of the first half. Defense back Alex Teems picked off a Clint Dolezel pass and ran it back for a touchdown with no time left on the clock. It was just the break Cleveland needed.
Unfortunately, the Gladiators got called for a questionable low block on the runback, negating the score. Since time had expired, the offense didn’t even get one chance to capitalize on the turnover.
That call sealed their fate, along with a Dallas fumble that was ruled down.
The Gladiators lost 68-52 primarily due to a dropped ball in the end zone by Robert Redd that led to a non-scoring drive by Cleveland’s offense.
Gladiators QB Raymond Philyaw played great in defeat, even mustering a pair of scrambles for first downs during opportune moments. He went 24-of-35 for 291 yards and four TDs.
Robert Redd had 10 catches for 127 yards, but the dropped pass in the end zone negated a great effort on his part. Otis Amey had nine catches for 132 yards and four TDs, including a fantastic grab in the end zone that looked like a definite incompletion.
Dallas QB Clint Dolezel was 28-of-38 with one interception, 252 yards and eight TDs. Will Pettis caught four of the eight, nabbing 13 balls for 118 yards.
Marcus Nash caught eight balls for 86 yards and two TDs. Anthony Armstrong reeled in six for 42 yards and three scores. The trio burned the Cleveland defensive backs all game long.
The loss definitely makes for a tough road to the playoffs for the Gladiators. While still an attainable goal, they have a rough schedule left, taking on the Chicago Rush next week at home at 7:00 P.M. June 7th.
It will be dollar night at the "Q." Hot dogs and Pepsi’s will cost a buck. Chicago, at 9-3, has already clinched a playoff birth. They play in the softest of all the AFL divisions, and hold a five-game lead over second-place Colorado at 4-8.
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