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Las Vegas Gladiators game notes

March 7, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release


Date: Friday, March 10, 2006
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Pacific
Site: Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas, NV)
Officials: Referee: Terry Brown, Umpire: Rick Lowe, Head Linesman: Rod Pearson Line Judge: Art Lucky, Back Judge: Scott Helverson.

***SPECIAL HALF-TIME APPREARENCE BY MOHAVE HIGH SCHOOL DRUMLINE***

THE GAME CAN BE HEARD...
On ESPNRadio920 in Las Vegas with Andrew Siciliano handling play-by-play and Mike Pritchard with color commentary.

On AFL.net. For live play-by-play log on to arenafootball.com.

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THE SERIES - GLADIATORS VS. RAMPAGE
Gladiators lead 3-1

This will be the fifth meeting between the teams. The Gladiators are 2-0 at home and 1-1 on the road versus Grand Rapids. In the last meeting between the two, Las Vegas destroyed Grand Rapids 56-28 in week 11 of the 2005 season. After a low scoring first half, the Gladiators came out and scored 33 second half points to take the victory. The game was played in front of 8,816 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

If the Gladiators win, it would
- Give the Gladiators a 4-1 overall record versus Grand Rapids
- Give Las Vegas a 3-4 overall record
- Give Las Vegas a 3-1 home record

GLADIATORS PREVIOUS GAME

GLADIATORS FIND RHYTHM AGAINST SOUL, 67-59.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME JASON FIFE
ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME STEVE KONOPKA
ARMY IRONMAN OF THE GAME JOE DOUGLASS

March 5, 2006, (Las Vegas, NV) - The Las Vegas Gladiators (2-4) got off to a hot start and never looked back, rolling over the Philadelphia Soul (3-3), 67-49 at the Thomas and Mack Center.

In his second career AFL start, quarterback Jason Fife was electric. The Offensive Player of the Game completed 18 of 28 passes for 174 yards and five touchdown passes and no interceptions. Fife was also the leading rusher in the game scampering for 34 yards on six carries, including a 35 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Fife spread the ball hitting five different Gladiator receivers on the night, led by OS Marcus Nash with six grabs for 65 yards and three touchdowns. Junior Lord and Coco Blalock also added three receptions each.

The Gladiator defense was the difference in the first half, stopping Philadelphia's offense on two of their first three possessions. In the third quarter, Las Vegas scored their first defensive touchdown of the season, on a Joe Douglass 47 yard interception return. WR/DB Joe Douglass finished as the Army Ironman of the Game, adding three receptions, two rushing touchdowns, two tackles and an interception return for a touchdown. FB/LB Steve Konopka was awarded as the ADT Defensive Player of the Game, tallying one tackle, one pass breakup and applying pressure all night to Soul quarterback Tony Graziani.

Philadelphia never let up, making it interesting in the fourth quarter, but fell short. The Soul were led by quarterback Tony Graziani, who finished the game completing 22-46 attempts for 346 yards and six touchdown tosses and one pick. OS Marcus Knight, led all receivers with nine catches for 131 yards and one score. Defensively, the Soul were led by DS Eddie Moten, who tallied seven tackles on the game.

The Gladiators, now tied for first place in the Western Division, will host the Grand Rapids Rampage next week. The Game will be at the Thomas and Mack on Friday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m. (pacific).

THE COACHES


Ron James (Second Season, 10-12)

Ron James is entering his second season as Head Coach of the Las Vegas Gladiators. In his first year as head coach the Gladiator teams ranked #1 in total offense and #1 in total defense Arena Football League and finished with an 8-8 record.
Prior to becoming the head coach, James served as assistant head coach/line coach and special team's coordinator for the Gladiator organization from 2001-2004.
Coach James has nine years of AFL experience having served as the line coach and player personnel director with the Houston Thunderbears from 2000-2001 and as an assistant with the Albany Firebirds in 1990 and 1991.
In addition to coaching in the AFL, James has coached a combined total of 14 years on the collegiate level.
In 1998 and 1999 Coach James served as the Admissions Support officer and assistant football coach at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
From 1993 thru 1998 James coached at Kentucky Wesleyan College. While at KWC James served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach in 1993. The following season James was promoted the assistant head coach/defensive coordinator and coached the secondary. He remained in that position until 1998.
Among the other college stops were stints as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Hartwick College from 1992-1993. Prior to that, James was the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach at St. Lawrence University from 1989-1992. Additionally James coached at Siena College from 1986-1989 as the linebacker coach and also served as JV Head Coach in 1989.
James was a four-year starter at Siena College where he achieved First-Team All N.C.F.A. All - America honors in 1985 and was named a first-team all conference selection twice. Upon completion of his college football career, James had brief NFL stops with the NY Giants, New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals. He earned a BA from Siena and a MPA from the State University of New York at Albany.
Born on April 28, 1964, James is a native of Albany, New York. He is married to wife, Lynn and has two children Brady and Alexis. They live in Henderson, NV. He is a member of the American Football Coaches Association and the Order of Kentucky Colonels.

Sparky McEwen Second Season (6-16)

2006 marks McEwen's second season as Rampage Head Coach & Director of Football Operations. During his first season, he was tasked with rebuilding a team that was statistically one of the worst in AFL history the year before. In light of that fact, his 4-12 record for the 2005 season is not a true measure of the accomplishments that McEwen is capable of as a professional head coach. The 2005 Rampage improved dramatically in nearly every offensive category and set some AFL records in the process. After a bumpy 1-11 start, McEwen won three of his last four games, including wins over the top three American Conference seeded teams in the playoffs (Colorado, Los Angeles and Chicago); Colorado would go on to become the ArenaBowl champions that year.

Under McEwen's guidance, the Rampage were the most improved team in the AFL, averaging 11.3 more points and 45.7 more offensive yards per game than the previous year. The team also set team single-game records for most total yards (420 vs. Austin) and most rushing yards (122 at Colorado), while shattering team single-season marks for rushing attempts (164), rushing yards (766), average yards per rush (4.7) and rushing touchdowns (35).

Grand Rapids also set a new AFL record for the most rushing yards in a single season (766) and average yards per rush (4.7) thanks to the strong running of Michael Bishop and Chris Avery. With that accomplishment, Avery and Bishop became just the third set of teammates to finish first and second in rushing yards in league history. The previous season, Bishop ran just eight times for 51 yards in five games. In his first start under McEwen, the former Heisman Trophy runner-up became the first player in league history to run for 100 yards in a single game. In the season finale, Bishop would set another AFL record for the most rushing yards in a single season (459). Bishop became the first Rampage player in team history to be named AFL Offensive Player of the Week when he contributed to the defeat of the eventual ArenaBowl champion Colorado Crush by tossing 80.7% of his passes for 310 yards and five scores to go along with 32 rushing yards and two more TDs on the ground.

McEwen, known for his offensive mind, took over as the team's defensive coordinator after releasing his two defensive assistant coaches seven games into the season. At the time, the Rampage defense was last or near the bottom in the AFL in every single defensive category. McEwen improved the Rampage by helping them allow 10.7 points and 28.3 yards per game less than the team averages in the first seven games of the season. He immediately brought in AFL all-time leading tackler Damon Mason, who had a career year by setting an AFL record for tackles in a single season with 133.5 and led the league with 34 pass breakups. Mason became the team's first ever AFL Defensive Player of the Month and added an AFL Defensive Player of the Week honor under McEwen's leadership.

GLADIATORS' PREVIEW NOTES AND TRENDS



GAME PREVIEW
This week seven match-up, will be a battle of two, 2-4 teams, both looking build momentum heading into the second half of the season. The Gladiators come in with an impressive 67-59 thumping of Philadelphia, behind the leadership of rookie quarterback Jason Fife and a new look defense. This will be the second of a three game home-stand for Las Vegas, conversely this is the third straight road trip for Grand Rapids, losers of their first two (Nashville, Colorado).

OFFENSIVE PREVIEW
The Gladiators are ranked 5th in total offense (274.5 yards per game), and are 11th in scoring offense (50.2 points per game). Last weeks 67 point outburst was the most points the Gladiators have scored since week nine last year (75-81 loss to San Jose). In his second career AFL start, QB Jason Fife was dazzling, completing 18-28 attempts for 174 yards and five touchdowns and no interceptions, adding a 35 yard rushing touchdown (longest TD run in AFL through week 6 in AFL). The

receiving core is led by OS Marcus Nash with 51 receptions for 615 yards and 16 touchdowns. The red and black have three additional receivers that are in double digit receptions; WR/LB Coco Blalock 25 receptions, 246 yards and one touchdown, WR/LB Joe Douglass 19 receptions, 251 yards, and five touchdown catches, two touchdown runs, WR/DB TJ Hill has 12 receptions for 196 yards and two touchdowns. Las Vegas has the 4th ranked rushing offense in the league (31.2 yards per game), FB/LB Rodney Filer will look to pick up the slack for injured Marlion Jackson. The Rampage enter with the leagues 11th ranked scoring offense (48.3) and the 15th ranked total offense (249.8). QB Chad Salisbury will be at the helm for Grand Rapids. Their receiving core is solid with three players with over 30 receptions each (OS AnthonyHines 43,WR/DB Timon Marshall 34,OS Aaron Bailey 31).

DEFENSIVE PREVIEW
The Gladiators are ranked 13 in both scoring (55.8 points allowed per game) and total defense (299.5 yards allowed per game). Las Vegas added DS Chris Canty (free-agent from Ausitn) last week and he made an immediate impact in the secondary against Philadelphia. WR/DB TJ Hill leads the team with 41.5 combined tackles. DS Dameon Porter has been rock solid this season with 9 pass breakups to go along with 27 combined tackles. The Gladiators are ranked 9th in sacks, led by OL/DL Wilky Bazile, (2 sacks) but have been getting an improved pass rush from week to week. Grand Rapids comes in with the 8th rated scoring defense (51.7 points allowed per game) and the 8th rated total defense (281.7 yards per game). DS Jonnie Harris has 32 tackles, 7 pass breakups and four interceptions. The Rampage look to apply pressure up front with OL/DL Winfield Garnett, who has a team high three sacks on the season.

SPECIAL TEAMS PREVIEW
K Eric Houle has struggled this season going 1-8 on field goal attempts and is 30-38 on PAT's. The bright spot is their kick off return average (4th in AFL, 18.5 yards per return). Coco Blalock has averaged 20.5 yards per return.
Rampage K Peter Martinez is 7-13 on field goal attempts this season. Grand Rapids is ranked 5th in the AFL in kick off return average (18.1 per kick off return).

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
The Gladiators have compiled a 2-1 home record this season and are 17-10 all-time at the Thomas and Mack Center. Week 7, will mark game 2 of a three game home-stand for Las Vegas. Next week the Gladiators will host division rival Arizona Rattles.

RUN BABY RUN
Rookie QB Jason Fife has not only shown off his rifle arm this season, but has let his legs to do the talking on the field. Fife is the second leading rusher on the team (10 carries for 39 yards and 3 TD's). The former Oregon Duck has the longest rushing touchdown in the AFL this season (35 yard TD run in fourth quarter versus Philadelphia in week 6).

TOUCHDOWN MACHINE
OS Marcus Nash has piled up 16 receiving touchdowns this season (2.6 scores per game) for the red and black. He is on pace for 42 which would beat his mark last season, when he caught 41 TD's. Nash's career best was 46 touchdown grabs in 2004. He was recognized for his efforts, winning the AFL's Offensive Player of the Year.

WELCOME TO VEGAS CHRIS
The Las Vegas picked up free-agent DS Chris Canty from Austin after week five. The former first round pick by the New England Patriots in 1997, was tested by Soul QB Tony Graziani, all game long and Canty rose to the challenge. Canty recorded 6.5 combined tackles and one pass deflection. Adding Canty, gave the Gladiators three former first round NFL draft picks on the active squad. (Alonzo Spellman, Marcus Nash, Chris Canty). Canty, was a three-time All-American while attending Kansas State University (1994-1996).

IMMEDIATE IMPACT
OL/DL Steve Konopka, saw his first action of the season last week against Philadelphia and earned ADT Defensive Player of the Game. "Kono" recorded just one tackle, one pass deflection, but hassled Soul QB Tony Graziani all game long. Konopka was voted the Gladiator's most valuable lineman last season. His presence will be key on both sides of the ball, if Las Vegas hopes to make a playoff run.

BACK IN FIRST PLACE
With the 67-49 drumming of the Philadelphia Soul and a little help from our inter-division friends, the Gladiators find themselves in a four-way first place tie. Las Vegas, Utah, Arizona, and San Jose are all stacked up at 2-4, while Los Angeles is in the basement at 1-5. After facing Grand Rapids in week 7, the Gladiators will face three straight western division opponents (Arizona, Utah, Los Angeles).

TURNOVER MARGIN
With a turnover margin of -6 on the year (tied for 8th in AFL), the Gladiators are 0-3 when losing the turnover battle. The red and black are 2-1 when recording an even turnover margin and they have not been in the positive in any game this season. The Gladiators had two quarterback/center exchange lost fumbles last week against Philadelphia.

DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWN
Until March 5, the Gladiators had not recorded a defensive touchdown on the season. That all changed, when DS Dameon Porter's pass breakup was scooped up right before hitting the turf by WR/LB Joe Douglass, who then raced down the sideline for a 47 yard INT return for a Gladiator score. The score marked the first defensive touchdown in Joe Douglass's six year AFL career. Douglass was awarded the Army Ironman of the Game for his tough play on both side of the ball.

IN THE TRENCHES
In a league where the spotlight is constantly on skill players, consistency on the OL/DL is certainly a key for success. The Gladiators have inked the same six starting lineman for all six games this season. OL/DL Tupe Peko, OL/DL Chukie Nworkie, OL/DL Wilky Bazile and DS Alonzo Spellman have combined to start every contest this season for the red and black.

PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR RAMPAGE

#11 QB - CHAD SALISBURY
In his 7th AFL campaign from the University of Buffalo, Salisbury has completed 92 of 145 attempts for 1006 yards, 19 TD's and four INT's.

#3 OS - ANTHONY HINES
Hines has been the go-to receiver for the Rampage, leading the team in receptions (43), receiving yards (448), and touchdowns (12).

#5 WR/DB - TIMON MARSHAL
Marshall has been huge for Grand Rapids this season, piling up 34 receptions for 453 yards and six TD grabs. Defensively, the second year player has 13.5 combined tackles to go along with one interception.

#37 DS - JOHNNIE HARRIS
Former AFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1998, Harris veteran leadership and playmaking abilities have been welcome by Grand Rapids. Harris has recorded a team high 4 INT's, to go along with 32.0 combined tackles and seven passes defended in just five contests this season.

#92 OL/DL - WINFIELD GARNETT
Garnett in his first season with the team, has been a force up front. His three sacks, lead the team, Garnett has added 8 tackles and a pass deflection to his resume this season.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 7, 2006


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