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Las Vegas Gladiators game notes

March 21, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release


GLADIATORS VS. BLAZE: THE FACTS


Date: Friday, March 24, 2006
Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. Pacific
Site: (Salt Lake City, UT) The Delta Center
Officials: Referee: Bill Monnier, Umpire: Mike Delaney, Head Linesman: Rusty Baynes, Line Judge: David Meslow, Back Judge: Billy Becket

THE GAME CAN BE HEARD...
On ESPN Radio 920 in Las Vegas with Andrew Siciliano handling play-by-play and Mike Pritchard with color commentary.

THE GAME CAN BE SEEN...
Log on to AFL.net for live play-by play of the game.

THE SERIES - GLADIATORS VS. BLAZE

This will be the first ever meeting between the two franchises.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

If the Gladiators win, it would
- Give the Gladiators a 1-0 overall record versus Utah
- Give Las Vegas a 4-5 overall record
- Give Las Vegas a 1-3 road record
- Give Las Vegas a 2-1 Western Division record

GLADIATORS PREVIOUS GAME VS. ARIZONA

Las Vegas Falls to Arizona 47-33
Offensive Player of the Game Darrell Jones
ADT Defensive Player of the Game Erin Damond
Army Ironman of the Game Talib Wise

LAS VEGAS - Turnovers proved costly as the host Las Vegas Gladiators (3-5) fell to division rival Arizona (4-4) 44-37 at the Thomas and Mack Center on Friday night.

The Gladiators had a season-high five turnovers and they could not rebound. Jason Fife finished the contest completing 25 of 46 attempts for 227 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Fife also coughed up the ball while being sacked in the second quarter. OS Marcus Nash had a great performance despite the loss. Nash caught 10 balls for 101 yards and three touchdowns.

Arizona scored their first three points on a 54-yard field goal by kicker Gary Kral in the game's opening possession and maintained the lead throughout. Rattler OS Darrell Jones had a great performance finishing with eight catches for a game-high 144 yards and three scores. Veteran quarterback Sherdrick Bonner connected on 22 of 33 attempts for 283 yards, five touchdowns and one interception.

Despite the five turnovers Las Vegas found themselves only down by five at the end of the third quarter, after a Maurice Bryant pick of Sherdrick Bonner. On the next play Jason Fife's pass intended for Marcus Nash was picked by Rattler DS Erin Damond. Arizona rattled off the next 17 points in route to victory.

The Las Vegas Gladiators completed their homestand with a 2-1 record. Las Vegas will be on the road to face the Utah Blaze (3-5) next Friday. The Gladiators next home game will be on Sunday, April 2, when they face the Los Angeles Avengers.

THE COACHES


Ron James (Second Season, 11-13)

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.

Danny White (3-5, 1st season with Utah, 144-70 overall)
Danny White was named the first head coach for the Utah franchise on April 2, 2005. White, a living legend of football in Arizona, served as the first head coach and general manager of the Rattlers until 2004. He was named Arena Football League Coach of the Year in only his second season as head coach (1993). White lead the Rattlers to ArenaBowl berths in 1994, 1997, 2002, 2003 and 2004. White finished with the Rattlers with an overall record of 141-65 (.684) ranking him second all-time in Arena Football history. He became an inductee for the Arena Football Hall of Fame class of 2002. If history repeats itself, Blaze fans everywhere can enjoy the results of his winning ways. The history of past successes easily explains why White was Jones' top choice for the Blaze's head coaching job.

One of the finest motivators in the game, White's style has proven to be successful. White began his playing days at Mesa's Westwood High, his collegiate career at Arizona State, and on through his professional with the Memphis Southmen of the World Football League, and then in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. Those fans of White know his intense desire for excellence. They also know that is Danny White is anything, he's a winner.

Danny and his wife Jo-Lynn have four children; Ryan, Geoff, Heather, and Reed. They also have four grandchildren. Aside from White enjoying family time he stays actively involved in the community, donating his time and efforts to various charities.

GLADIATORS' PREVIEW NOTES AND TRENDS


GAME PREVIEW
This Week nine match-up will be a battle of two 3-5 Western Division teams looking to keep pace with division leader Arizona (4-4). Las Vegas enters the contest with a tough 47-33 home loss to Arizona. Similarly the Blaze were cooled off by the Grand Rapids Rampage 59-49. Both teams are 2-2 in their previous four games. Despite drawing well in their first season, home-field advantage has not been a factor for Utah. The Blaze's 1-3 home record is tied for worst in the league. The Gladiators will be looking for their first road victory (0-3). It's going to be a match-up of rookie, former PAC-10 quarterbacks (Fife, Oregon 2003, Gesser, Washington St. 2002).

LAS VEGAS'S PREVIOUS GAME
The Gladiators finished their three-game homestand with a 47-33 loss to the Arizona Rattlers. A season-high five turnovers (3 INT's and 2 fumbles) prevented Las Vegas from capturing the division lead. Despite the miscues, Las Vegas was down five with a chance to take the lead early in the fourth quarter, when Jason Fife's delivery on a corner-route intended for OS Marcus Nash was picked off by Rattler DS Erin Hammond. Arizona went on to score on the ensuing drive and coasted to victory.

UTAH'S PREVIOUS GAME
The Blaze traveled to Grand Rapids with optimism, considering they had posted a 2-1 record on the road and they were facing an opponent with a 2-5 record. That optimism turned sour as the Grand Rapids Rampage forced six Blaze turnovers, including five INT's. Utah made it respectable late but the damage had been done in a 49-59 loss on the road.

OFFENSIVE PREVIEW
The Gladiators are ranked 12th in total offense (279.5 yards per game), and 12th in scoring offense (50.0 points per game). After scoring 133 points in the previous two games, the 33 points scored against Arizona was their lowest point total of the season. QB Jason Fife showed his first glimpses of being a rookie versus Arizona, completing 25-46 passes for 227 yards, 3 TD's and 3 INT's. On the year Fife has been spectacular completing 82-133 for 871 yards, 17 TD passes, 6 TD runs with 5 INT's. The receiving core is led by OS Marcus Nash with 70 receptions for 806 yards and 21 touchdowns. The red and black have three additional receivers that are in double digit receptions; WR/LB Coco Blalock (28 receptions, 289 yards and 3 TD's), WR/LB Joe Douglass (26 receptions, 324 yards, and 5 TD's, 3 TD runs), WR/DB TJ Hill has 17 receptions for 235 yards and 2 TD's). Las Vegas has the league's most potent rushing attack (33.7 yards per game), behind the rushing of FB/LB Marlion Jackson, FB/LB Rodney Filer and QB Jason Fife. The Blaze enter the game averaging the 2nd most points in the league (56.3 points per game) and ranked 3rd in total offense (313.1 yards per game). The loss of sensational QB Joe Germaine (broken finger out 3-6 weeks) will be hard felt. Rookie QB Jason Gesser took over the reigns last week versus Grand Rapids, on the season Gesser is 28-49 for 325 yards, 8TD's and 5 INT's. Gesser will have to rely on OS Siaha Burly, who is off to a blazing start with 72 catches for 986 yards and 24 TD's. FB/LB Kevin Clemens leads the Blaze's rushing attack with 43 yards on 25 carries and six scores.

DEFENSIVE PREVIEW
The Gladiators are ranked 12th scoring defense (52.9 points allowed per game) and are 15th in total defense (300.3 yards allowed per game). The defense has held opponents under 50 points for three straight games (Philadelphia 49, Grand Rapids 41, Arizona 47). WR/DB TJ Hill has been solid all year, leading the team in tackles with 47.0. The defense has been opportunistic scoring touchdowns two of past three contests, both by WR/LB Joe Douglass. The Gladiators are ranked 18th in sacks (4), led by OL/DL Wilky Bazile
(2). Utah has the 15th ranked scoring defense (55.5 points per game) and are 10th in total defense (292.3 yards per game). Former Rattler WR/DB Orshawante Bryant leads the team with 25.5 total tackles. DS Kelvin Hunter has been a key defender with three picks in six games played.

SPECIAL TEAMS PREVIEW
The Gladiators special teams has been spectacular this season. The return average of 19.7 yards per return is good for 4th best in the league and the coverage team is 5th, allowing opponents an average return of 16.3 yards. K
Eric Houle has struggled this season, booting 40-49 PAT's and converting on 27% of the teams field goal attempts. Blaze K Steve Videtich is 5-12 on field goal attempts on the year. The Blaze average 16.4 yards per kickoff return (14th in AFL).

LET'S GET TO KNOW EACHOTHER
This Friday will mark the first ever meeting between the Las Vegas Gladiators and the Utah Blaze. Considering the two are in the Western Division, they will see plenty of each other in years to come. The team will travel to Salt Lake City on Thursday and play at the Delta Center. In their inaugural season the Blaze's fan support has been tremendous, they average 15,591 fans per home game.

CHASING A RECORD
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 (17 carries for 75 yards and 6 TD's). The former Oregon Duck is chasing the rushing TD mark for a QB in a season (Aaron Garcia in 1999 playing for Iowa, had 15 rushing TD's, Jay McDonagh in 2003 had 15 touchdowns). Fife is averaging 1.5 rushing TD's per game, if he continues this pace he will finish with 18 rushing TD's on the season.

ROOKIE SENSATION
Jason Fife has started just four games in AFL career and is being touted as one of the future stars in the league. Fife has completed 82 of 133 attempts for 871 yards, 17 TD passes and only five INT's. The former Oregon Duck's versatility has given opposing defensive coordinators nightmares. Fife averages 4.3 yards per carry (3rd in AFL), has six rushing TD's (tied for 4th in AFL) and has the longest touchdown rush of the season in the league (35 yard TD rush versus Philadelphia, Week 5).

SCRORING MACHINE
OS Marcus Nash has piled up 21 receiving touchdowns this season (2.62 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. The former Tennessee Volunteer has hauled in 70 receptions for 806 yards this season.

MILESTONE WATCH
This week's match-up with division rival Utah could be witness a historic milestone achieved by noted Gladiator star WR/LB Joe Douglass. "Joe D" needs two TD catches to reach the century mark for his career. In his seventh year out of Montana, Douglass was the Gladiators Ironman of the Year in 2005.

KEEP IT SIMPLE
The indoor game is dissected, combed through, and analyzed each week in order to figure out which team has the edge heading into the game. For the Gladiators it has been simple, do not turn the ball over. The "red and black" are 3-1 in games in which they have either tied or won the turnover battle. The team is 0-4 when loosing the turnover battle. Last week against Arizona the Gladiators had five giveaways and only one takeaway. Through Week 8 Las Vegas has a turnover margin of -7 (tied for 16th in the AFL).

DOUBLE THREAT
The special teams unit for the Gladiators has been outstanding this season. The Gladiators are ranked in the top five in kickoff coverage (5th allowing 16.3 yards per return) and kickoff return (4th 19.7 yards per return). The duo of WR/DB Coco Blalock and WR/DB Aleric Clark has been tremendous this season. Blalock is averaging 22.7 yards per return (tied for 3rd in AFL) and in Blalocks absence, Clark had six kickoff returns for 164 yards (27.3 yards per return) versus Arizona.

TOP THREE RUSHERS PER CARRY IN AFL
Who says you can't run the ball effectively in the AFL. The Gladiators are doing just that through eight weeks this season. The Gladiators have the most potent rushing attack in the league (33.8 yards per game), behind the efforts of FB/LB Marlion Jackson, FB/LB Rodney Filer and sensational rookie QB Jason Fife. Las Vegas has the top three per carry rushers in the AFL. Jackson averages 5.6 yards per carry, Filer 4.7 yards per carry and Fife with a 4.4 yards per carry average.

ARIZONA GARAGE SALE
When AFL Hall of Fame Coach Danny White was hired on July 21, 2005 to coach the Utah Blaze he brought some familiar faces from his coaching days in Arizona. Former Rattler star Hunkie Cooper is the Blaze's current offensive coordinator and the Blaze have six former Arizona Rattlers on their current roster (OS Siaha Burley, WR/LB Tom Pace, WR/DB Orshawante Bryant, QB Joe Germaine, OL/DL Bryan Henderson, DS Kelvin Hunter).

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 eight 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.

MONEY IN THE FOURTH QUARTER
The Gladiators have posted a perfect 3-0 record this year when leading after three quarters. Although the Gladiators have been outscored 131-111 in the final quarter, when leading they have the knack to slam the door shut.

FAMILIAR FACES
Utah K Steve Videtich spent 2001-2003 with the Gladiator franchise (New Jersey 01-02, Las Vegas 03). During his days as a Gladiator Videtich hit 47-95 field goal attempts and knocked down 145-156 PAT's. Videtich currently holds the Gladiator record for field goals in a game (5, versus Tampa Bay, July 21, 2001). Blaze offensive coordinator Hunkie Cooper never played for Las Vegas in the AFL, however Cooper was a standout at UNLV and a two-time All-Big West performer. Cooper currently makes Las Vegas his home in the off-season with wife Tiffany and their four children.

PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR THE BLAZE

# 5 OS - SIAHA BURLEY
This 2005 recipient of the 2005 Offensive Player of the Year is an electrifying performer. In his sixth season from Central Florida, Burley has 72 catches for 986 yards with 24 finding the endzone.

# 4 WR/DB - ORSHAWANTE BRYANT
Bryant has been the Blaze's most productive two-way player. Offensively Bryant has 46 grabs for 560 yards and 6 TD's.
On the defensive side he leads the team in tackles (25.5), has one interception and two passes defended.

# 21 DS - KELVIN HUNTER
Hunter is definitely the impact player in the Blaze's secondary. In only six games this season Hunter has three picks (leads team), 23 tackles, 4 passes defended and 3 fumble recoveries.

#23 WR/LB - TOM PACE
The former Rattler is a steady two-way player for the Blaze. Pace has 37 receptions for 560 yards and 7 TD catches. Defensively he has 16 tackles, one INT and 3 fumble recoveries.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 21, 2006


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