CIF Duke City Gladiators

Gladiators Look to Even the Score with Texas

Published on April 27, 2016 under Champions Indoor Football (CIF)
Duke City Gladiators News Release


Albuquerque, N.M. - The Duke City Gladiators are looking to get back on the saddle of the horse called "winning" as they go into their eighth game of the season. The Gladiators (4-3) suffered a tough loss last Saturday against the Texas Revolution (6-1) when they not only lost the game, but also lost star quarterback Bryan Randall. Duke City will get a chance this Friday to even up the score with the Revolution on the road in Allen, Texas.

Last Saturday night, the game was nothing short of exciting. The Revolution had the ball first and scored in 46 seconds as Darius Fudge caught a 4 yard touchdown pass from Robert Kent. It didn't take long for the Gladiators to answer back as Dello Davis grabbed a 24 yard pass from Bryan Randall with 11:33 on the clock which resulted in a touchdown. As you would expect in an indoor football game, it was an offensive shootout. The first quarter ended in a 14-14 score as Texas' Darius Fudge rushed for a 5 yard touchdown and Duke City's Sedrick Johnson secured a 12 yard touchdown catch.

About two minutes into the second quarter, receiver Dello Davis grabbed another touchdown reception which would be his second in a total of 5 touchdown catches on the night. At about midway through the second quarter, tragedy struck as Duke City quarterback Randall rushes to the sideline wall and was fiercely injured on the play. Randall had severely broken his wrist and had to be helped off the field where he was transported to the hospital. Backup quarterback Taylor Genuser came in to the game and struggled on a few drive attempts. The Revolution put up 20 points in just over 3 minutes until Duke City's Genuser found a rhythm and found receiver Johnson on a 2 yard touchdown pass. At the end of the first half, the Revolution lead 41-35.

The second half proved to be an edge of the seat experience as the Gladiators were able to put up 14 points to inch closer as the 3rd quarter came to a close with a score of 55-49. In the fourth, Duke City fought hard as Dello again scored on a huge 17 yard touchdown where they took their third lead of the game. The Revolution scored quickly on a 25 yard pass from Kent to Adams retaking the lead 61-56. As both defenses fought to control the clock, it took 11 minutes before Texas scored again. It was 68-56 with 1:15 remaining in the game and time running out. After the Gladiators received the kickoff, it took one play and only six seconds for Genuser to find Davis for a crucial 25 yard touchdown. 47 seconds remained in the game and the Gladiators had a chance to get the ball back. The score was 68-63 and Duke City lined up for an onside kick. The result of this kick could set the Gladiators up for the game winning touchdown. Kicker Cody Nuzzo lined up the kick, but it went just a little too high resulting in Texas retaining the ball to end the game.

Bryan Randall had wrist surgery the Sunday after the game which was successful. Randall will continue to stay with the team and assist on the offensive front for the rest of the season.

NOTES: Quarterback Taylor Genuser passed for 142 yards, five touchdowns and completed 18 of 35 pass attempts. Dello Davis had a spectacular night as he gathered up 5 touchdown receptions for a total of 120 yards as well as one rushing touchdown for 15 yards. Receiver Sedrick Johnson picked up 3 touchdown passes for 79. On defense Kevin Reaves had one interception.

The Gladiators look to even the score with the Texas Revolution this Friday April 29th in Allen, Texas. Kick-off is set for 6:05 PM mountain time at Allen Event Center and can be watched online at dukecitygladiators.com/watch.

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Champions Indoor Football Stories from April 27, 2016


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