The Cleveland Gladiators came to Cleveland with high hopes. After a home playoff victory over the Orlando Predators, they head to Georgia with the same high hopes.
In their first year in Cleveland, the Gladiators earned a trip to the post-season by going 9-7. While faltering a bit down the stretch, they won the last game, getting into the playoffs and securing home-field advantage for at least one game by landing the fourth spot in the eight-seeded playoff picture of their conference. The Orlando Predators came in with the very same record. In their regular season meeting on 5/9, the Gladiators won 62-43. Orlandowas without Defensive end Rob Shroeder and defensive back Jason Perry.
Playoff atmosphere loomed large at Quicken Loans Arena in beautiful downtown Cleveland. The crowd was loud, definitely allowing the Gladiators an advantage. Much of the first half, it didn’t look good for the home squad.
Orlandoreceiver Chris Gasner sacrificed life and limb on the Predators first touchdown, diving into the stands and hauling down the catch.
Raymond Philyaw struck right back with a 25 yard strike, hitting Robert Redd right on the numbers.
The Gladiator kickoff coverage was non-existent through most of the game, and they gave up a fifty-plus yard runback. On the ensuing extra point, the snap was high, and Orlandokicker Dan Frantz pulled it to the right, hitting the crossbar. 20-14 Orlando.
The first big break of the contest came on a bull-rush by Orlando’s Marlon Moye-Moore. He sent Raymond Philyaw back-peddling. Philyaw pump-faked, fumbled, and Triple M recovered. The Gladiators challenged the call, contending an incomplete pass. After a lengthy review, the play stood as called.
As the second quarter opened, the Predators coughed the ball right back to the Gladiators, negating their turnover advantage with a hand-off miscue. Philyaw looked out of sorts after the fumble, throwing into coverage, badly under-throwing, and flipping one into the stands, making it fourth and ten from the Gladiator six yard line. Cleveland went for it, and the Orlando defense held, taking over on downs.
0 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete