Sports stats



Las Vegas Gladiators game notes

March 28, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release


Date: Sunday, April 2, 2006
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. Pacific
Site: Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas, NV)
Officials: Referee: Steve Paymon, Umpire: Paul Frerking, Head Linesman: Brent Durbin, Line Judge: RG Detillier, Back Judge: Keith Washington.

GLADIATORS AMINO VITAL CAP NIGHT
The first 3,000 fans in attendance on Sunday will receive a Limited Edition 2006 Gladiators Cap from Amino Vital.

THE GAME CAN BE HEARD...
On ESPN in Las Vegas with Andrew Siciliano handling play-by-play and Adam Grant with analysis.

THE GAME CAN BE SEEN...
On FSN with Bill McDonald handling play-by-play and Mike Pritchard with color commentary.

THE SERIES - GLADIATORS VS. AVENGERS
1-4
This will be the sixth meeting between the teams. The Gladiators are 1-1 at home and 0-3 on the road versus Los Angeles. The Gladiators fell 63-60 to the Avengers in a Week 15 match-up last season at Staples Center. A crucial fourth and inches stop on Gladiator FB/LB Marlion Jackson in the fourth quarter propelled the Avengers to victory. The win clinched a Western Division Title for the Avengers.

WHAT'S AT STAKE
If the Gladiators win, it would
- Give the Gladiators a 2-4 overall record versus Los Angeles
- Give Las Vegas a 5-5 overall record
- Give Las Vegas a 4-2 home record
- Give the Gladiators a 3-1 Western Division record

GLADIATORS PREVIOUS GAME (Week 9)

Gladiators capture first road victory in dramatic fashion 49-47
Offensive Player of the Game Marlion Jackson
ADT Defensive Player of the Game TJ Hill
Army Ironman Player of the Game Aleric Clark

Salt Lake City, Utah (March 24, 2006) - OL/DL Steve Konopka single handily kept the Las Vegas Gladiators in the Western Division hunt when he blocked a 34-yard Steve Videtich attempt with 10 seconds remaining in the game. The Gladiators captured their first road victory 49-47 and in doing so they improve to 4-5 on the year. The loss drops the Utah Blaze to 3-6 on the season.

Both teams exchanged punched in the first two quarters and were knotted at halftime 21-21. The Gladiators third quarter scoring has been great all year (102-78) and tonight was no different, Las Vegas outscored the Blaze 21-12 in the third and held on to the win.

Game Jason Fife connected on 17 of 27 attempts for 195 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Fife spread the ball around, completing passes to seven different receivers led by OS Marcus Nash with six grabs for 53 yards and two scores. The return of FB/LB Marlion Jackson gave the league's leading rushing team a boost on the ground. Jackson finished with 27 yards rushing on seven carries, two finding the endzone and was named Offensive Player of the Game. Overall the Gladiators rushed for 45 yards on 18 carries and four rushing touchdowns.

The Blaze were led by quarterback Jason Gesser who completed 25 of 35 passes for 309 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. The Gladiators kept Blaze star Siaha Burley quiet after two quarters, but the 2005 Offensive Player of the Year had six catches for 104 yards and two touchdowns, all coming in the second half.

The Gladiators return home next week to face Western Division foe the Los Angeles Avengers on Sunday, April 2, at 3:00 p.m. (pacific), at the Thomas and Mack Center.

THE COACHES


Ron James (Second Season, 12-13)

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.

Ed Hodgkiss (Fifth season 41-29)

Ed Hodgkiss, one of the brightest offensive masterminds in the Arena Football League, is in his fifth season as the head coach of the Los Angeles Avengers. He has advanced to the AFL Playoffs in each of his previous four seasons as a head coach.

Las season, Hodgkiss guided the Avengers to their first Western Division championship. The star-studded team, which finished with a 10-6 regular-season record featured "US Army Ironman of the Year" Kevin Ingram, "ADT Defensive Player of the Year" and "Lineman of the Year" Silas Demary and "Kicker of the Year" Remy Hamilton.

Born on Oct. 23, 1970, Hodgkiss is a native of Laurel,Md., where he attended St. Vincent Pallotti High School. He went on to graduate from Fairmont State College in 1992 with a degree in physical education and health. He was also a wide receiver for the Falcons and later began his coaching career with his alma mater. Hodgkiss and his wife Beth reside in Manhattan Beach, CA.

GLADIATORS' PREVIEW NOTES AND TRENDS


GAME PREVIEW
This Week ten match-up will the third straight Western Division game for the Gladiators (2-1 division record). Both teams are hot (Las Vegas has won 3 of 4, Los Angeles 2 of 3), despite posting a sub-500 record on the year. This is a crucial divisional game; a win would allow the Gladiators to keep pressure on Arizona, give them breathing room between the other three Western Division teams (Los Angeles, San Jose and Utah) and get them to .500 for the first time this season. A loss by Los Angeles would put them two full games behind, possibly three (Arizona win), in the Western Division and give them a 2-3 division record.

LAS VEGAS' PREVIOUS GAME
Las Vegas captured their first road victory in dramatic fashion with a 49-47 win versus Utah. A blocked field goal attempt by OL/DL Steve Konopka with 10 seconds left sealed the victory for the Gladiators.

LOS ANGELES' PREVIOUS GAME
The Avengers squandered a 35-24 halftime lead against division-leading Arizona and eventually fell 58-45 on the road. Rookie QB Sonnie Cumbie finished the contest with 257 yards on 23-of-45 passing with four TD passes.

OFFENSIVE PREVIEW
The Gladiators have the 12th ranked scoring offense (49.9 points per game) and are 13th in total offense (274.7 yards per game). The "red and black" have the most potent rushing attack in the league (35.0 yards per game) and have 22 rushing touchdowns (2nd in AFL). Rookie QB Jason Fife has been solid completing 99-of-160 attempts for 1066 yards, 20 TD passes, six INT's and has added six rushing scores. OS Marcus Nash has been the go-to receiver with 76 catches for 859 yards and 23 TD receptions. WR/LB Joe Douglass (29 receptions for 355 yards and five TD catches and 5 TD rushes), WR/DB Coco Blalock (28 receptions, 289 yards and three TD's) and WR/DB TJ Hill (17 receptions, 235 yards with two TD's) have added offensive balance. The Avengers are ranked 13th in scoring offense (48.9 points per game) and 7th in total offense (287.7 yards per game). QB Sonnie Cumbie has been impressive through five starts completing 124-of-209 attempts for 1421 yards, 24 TD's and only 3 INT's). The Avengers have three players with over 40 receptions each. Ironman Kevin Ingram leads the bunch with 62 catches for 762 yards and 17 TD's, OS Tony Locke (49 catches for 678 yards and 9 TD's) and WR/LB Greg Hopkins (46 catches for 498 yards and 9 TD's) have also been outstanding this season.

DEFENSIVE PREVIEW
The Gladiators are ranked 11th scoring defense (52.2 points allowed per game) and are 16th in total defense (307.6 yards allowed per game). The defense has held opponents under 50 points for four straight games (Philadelphia 49, Grand Rapids 41, Arizona 47 and Utah 47). WR/DB TJ Hill has been solid all year, leading the team in tackles with 58.0. The defense has been opportunistic scoring touchdowns two of past four contests, both by WR/LB Joe Douglass. The Gladiators are ranked 15th in sacks (6), led by OL/DL Wilky Bazile
(2.0). Los Angeles has the 17th ranked scoring defense (56.9 points per game) and are 6th in total defense (268.2 yards per game). DS Damen Wheeler leads the team with 41.0 total tackles, three picks and 12 passes defended. Veteran WR/LB Grep Hopkins is a heady two-way player. Hopkins has 24.0 tackles one sack, two passes defended and two fumble recoveries on his resume this season. Look for 2005 AFL Lineman of the Year Silas Demary and Avenger vet Sean McNamera to provide the push upfront.

SPECIAL TEAMS PREVIEW
The Gladiators kickoff team has been spectacular this season. The return average of 18.4 yards per return is good for 5th best in the league and the coverage team is 4th, allowing opponents an average start on the 10-yard line. K Eric Houle has struggled this season, booting 58-68 PAT's and converting on 25% of the teams field goal attempts. Avenger K Remy Hamilton is one of the AFL greats at his position; this year is no exception, nailing 18-of-22 field goals (81%, 1st in AFL). The Avengers are 14th in kickoff returns (15.9 yards per return) and are 17th in kickoff coverage (average start 15.2 yard line).

50 OR LESS
After allowing 50 points or more in four of their first five contests and posting a 1-4 start, Las Vegas has held opponents under 50 points in four straight games, leading to a 3-1 mark during the current stretch.

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 (22 carries for 76 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 five games in his AFL career and is being touted as one of the future stars in the league. Fife has completed 99-of-160 attempts for 1066 yards, 20 TD passes and only six INT's. The former Oregon Duck's versatility has given opposing defensive coordinators nightmares. Fife averages 3.5 yards per carry, has six rushing TD's and has the longest touchdown rush of the season in the league (35 yard TD rush versus Philadelphia, Week 5).

23 AND COUNTING
OS Marcus Nash has piled up 23 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 Los Angeles could be witness a historic milestone achieved by noted Gladiator stars 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. Douglass recorded two rushing TD's last week versus Utah.

KEEP TURNOVERS DOWN
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 4-1 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 versus Utah, the Gladiators forced two Blaze fumbles and had a fumble and INT themselves (0 margin). On the season Las Vegas is -7 in turnover margin (16th in AFL).

SLAM THE DOOR SHUT
Las Vegas is a perfect 4-0 when leading after three quarters this season. That stat was in jeopardy last week versus Utah when the Gladiators were leading 42-33 after three quarters. A blocked field goal attempt with 10 seconds remaining by OL/DL Steve Konopka preserved the victory 49-47. Furthermore, the Gladiators are 2-0 in contests decided by three points or less (vs. San Jose 51-48, vs. Utah 49-47).

1st ROUNDERS
The Gladiators have three current NFL first-round picks on their active roster heading into Week 10. DS Alonzo Spellman (22nd overall, Chicago Bears 1992), OS Marcus Nash (30th overall, Denver Broncos 1998) and recently acquired DS Chris Canty (29th overall, New England Patroits 1997).

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 has 11 kickoff returns for 228 yards (20.2 yards per return) versus Arizona and Utah.

RUSHING ATTACK
Who says you can't run the ball effectively in the AFL. The Gladiators are doing just that through nine weeks this season. The Gladiators have the most potent rushing attack in the league (35.0 yards per game), behind the efforts of FB/LB Marlion Jackson (22 carries 111 yards three TD's), FB/LB Rodney Filer (13 carries 56 yards one TD), QB Jason Fife (22 carries 76 yards six TD's) and WR/LB Joe Douglass (13 carries 38 yards five TD's).

HOLLYWOOD CONNECTION
Gladiator WR/DB Coco Blalock, OL/DL Wilky Bazile and Avengers' QB Brian Mann and OL/DL Sean McNamara all were cast as extras in last year's blockbuster "The Longest Yard" starring Adam Sandler.

FAMILIAR FACES
Avenger DS Antuan Simmons and FB/LB Lavell Mann spent training camp with the Gladiators but were released prior to the season. Recently activated DS Traco Rachal played seven games for the Avengers in 2005, recording 26.5 tackles and three INT's.

PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR THE AVENGERS
# 5 WR/DB - KEVIN INGRAM
This versatile two-way player has 62 grabs for 762 yards and 17 TD's (all team-highs). Defensively Ingram has 24 tackles, two picks and five passes defended. Ingram was awarded the 2005 Army Ironman of the Year.

# 82 WR/LB - GREG HOPKINS
Recently selected to the AFL's "20 Greatest Players" list, Hopkins has been a staple in the Avenger lineup for five seasons. Hopkins has 46 receptions for 498 yards with 9 TD catches, adding one score on the ground. On the other side of the ball he has 24 tackles, one sack, two pass deflections and two fumble recoveries.

# 90 - OL/DL SILAS DEMARY
Demary is as good as it gets in the AFL, when discussing interior lineman. In seven appearances the 2005 "Lineman of the Year" has racked up 7.5 tackles, one sack, one pass deflection and a fumble recovery.

# 8 - OS TONY LOCKE
Locke has been solid for Los Angeles this season with 49 catches for 678 yards with 9 TD's. Locke is a former walk-on from Ohio State University.

# 15 - QB SONNIE CUMBIE
The rookie from Texas Tech is off to a sensational start. Cumbie has passed for 1421 yards on 124 of 209 attempts, with 24 TD passes compared to only 3 INT's. Cumbie has guided the Avengers to victories in two of the past three games.

• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 28, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Las Vegas Gladiators Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central