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Las Vegas Gladiators game notes

April 5, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release


GLADIATORS VS. KATS: THE FACTS


Date: Sunday, April 9, 2006
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. Pacific
Site: Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas, NV)
Officials: Referee: Referee: Tom McCabe Umpire: Wes Fritz, Head Linesman: Neil Brunner, Line Judge: R.G. Detillier, Back Judge: Tony Lombardo.

"FAITH AND FAMILY DAY"
***** SUNDAY'S GAME WILL BE HIGHLIGHTED WITH A POST-GAME CONCERT BY RECORDING ARTIST ****
MATTHEW WEST

THE GAME CAN BE HEARD...
On ESPN Radio 920 in Las Vegas with Dave Hanson handling play-by-play and Mike Pritchard with expert analysis.

THE GAME CAN BE SEEN...
On FSN with Andrew Siciliano handling play-by-play and John Jackson with color commentary.

THE SERIES - GLADIATORS VS. KATS
1-1
This will be the third meeting between the teams. The Gladiators are 0-0 at home and 1-1 on the road versus Nashville. The Gladiators beat Nashville 40-32 in a Week 5 match-up last season at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville. The Gladiators were led by QB Craig Whelihan who completed 26 of 39 attempts for 267 yards and five touchdowns.

WHAT'S AT STAKE
If the Gladiators win, it would
- Give the Gladiators a 2-1 record versus Nashville
- Give Las Vegas a 6-5 overall record
- Give Las Vegas a 5-2 home record
- Give Las Vegas a 5-2 conference record

GLADIATORS PREVIOUS GAME (Week 9)

The Gladiators sack Los Angeles 63-49
Offensive Player of the Game WR/DB Coco Blalock
ADT Defensive Player of the Game OL/DL Steve Konopka
Army Ironman of the Game WR/DB Kevin Ingram

April 2, 2006 (Las Vegas, NV) - The Las Vegas Gladiators (5-5) proved that they are a serious threat in the Western Division as they rode to victory over division rival the Los Angeles Avengers (3-7) by a final score of 63-49 at the Thomas and Mack Center. The Gladiators gained the early momentum when WR/DB Aleric Clark returned the opening kickoff 57-yards for a TD.

Avenger rookie quarterback Sonnie Cumbie was hassled all game, four sacks and four recorded quarterback hurries prevented Cumbie and LA's offense from getting into a steady rhythm. The line play was tremendous for the Gladiators, led by OL/DL Steve Konopka who recorded 2.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles, 1 forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Konopka was awarded ADT Defensive Player of the Game. The Gladiator's defense has held opponents under 50 points for five straight games.

Gladiator quarterback Jason Fife was efficient completing 21 of 26 passes for 261 yards, five touchdown strikes and two interceptions. Fife also rushed for 31 yards and two scores. Receivers Coco Blalock and Marcus Nash both hauled in seven receptions, for a combined 156 yards and a touchdown (Blalock, 7 catches for 85 yards 1 TD, Nash 7 catches for 71 yards). The AFL's top rushing team continued their dominance on the ground, recording 64 yards rushing on 13 carries.

The Avengers were led by rookie quarterback Sonnie Cumbie who finished 18 of 37 for 261 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. OS Tony Locke was stellar with five grabs for 101 yards and two touchdowns.

The Las Vegas Gladiators will host the Nashville Kats next Sunday, April 9. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. (pacific). Recording artist Matthew West will be performing a post-game concert at the plaza outside of the Thomas and Mack Center.

THE COACHES


Ron James (Second Season, 13-13)

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.

Pat Sperduto (Fifth season 44-30-1)

Pat Sperduto now enters his fifth season as head coach of the Nashville Kats, already putting together one of arena football's best coaching careers.
Sperduto was at the helm of the original Kats team from 1999-2001, and joined the staff of the NFL's Tennessee Titans after the Kats franchise was sold and moved to Atlanta in 2001. He was hired to oversee the startup process of a new AFL team to be placed in Nashville, and last season he returned to the sidelines as head coach of the new Nashville Kats.
Sperduto, who assisted the Titans' coaching and scouting staffs during his three-season absence from the AFL, has compiled a 38-27-1 record in his first four years as head coach of the Kats, and he led his team to back-to-back appearances in the ArenaBowl in 2000 and 2001.
He is a three-time ArenaBowl World Champion, winning twice as a player for the Tampa Bay Storm (1991 and '93) and once as an assistant coach with the Storm (1994). Sperduto began his professional career as a player with the Canadian Football League's British Columbia Lions before joining the Tampa Bay Storm in the AFL from 1991-93.
He began his coaching career as an assistant with Murray State (Ky.) during the offseason in 1991, prior to taking over football operations for the American Sports Foundation of Macelata in Tolentino, Italy in 1992. He was an assistant with the Storm in 1994 and defensive coordinator and director of player personnel with Connecticut in 1995 before joining the Nashville Kats staff in 1997 as the defensive coordinator and player personnel director.
Sperduto played both fullback and linebacker for the University of Massachusetts at Boston, earning All-New England Conference honors from 1987-89. Sperduto and his wife, Laura, live in Brentwood, Tenn., with daughter Roseann (7), son Cosmo (5), and daughter Sofia (3).

GLADIATORS' PREVIEW NOTES AND TRENDS


GAME PREVIEW
The Gladiators find themselves tied for first place in the ultra-competitive Western Division with the Arizona Rattlers. Las Vegas has won four of five games heading into this week's game versus the Nashville Kats, while Nashville is stumbling, losing three of their last five games, after getting off to a 4-1 start. This will be a pivotal match-up in the conference playoff picture.

LAS VEGAS' PREVIOUS GAME
Las Vegas beat up on division rival Los Angeles 63-49 at the Thomas and Mack Center. The defense was the difference, sacking Avenger QB Sonnie Cumbie four times and hassling him all game. The Gladiators tallied 61 yards rushing and had three scores on the ground.

NASHVILLE' PREVIOUS GAME
After being tied after the first quarter 21-21 the Colorado Crush pulled away from Nashville and ended up with a 77-47 victory in Colorado. Colorado took advantage of four interceptions by Nashville QB Leon Murray. John Dutton also threw for a career-high nine touchdown passes.

OFFENSIVE PREVIEW
The Gladiators have the 8th ranked scoring offense (51.2 points per game) and are 10th in total offense (279.7 yards per game). The "red and black" have continued their dominant rushing attack, and are still ranked first (37.4 yards per game) and have 24 rushing touchdowns (2nd in AFL). Rookie QB Jason Fife has been solid completing 121-of-187 attempts for 1333 yards, 26TD passes, eight INT's and has added eight rushing scores. OS Marcus Nash has been the go-to receiver with 83 catches for 930 yards and 23 TD receptions. WR/LB Joe Douglass (32 receptions for 387 yards and 8 TD catches and 4 TD rushes), WR/DB Coco Blalock (35 receptions, 374 yards and four TD's) and WR/DB TJ Hill (17 receptions, 235 yards with two TD's) have added offensive balance. The Kats are ranked 11th in scoring offense (49.9 points per game) and 15th in total offense (257.5 yards per game). The question remains if Nashville will activate QB Clint Stoerner (out 3-6 weeks with broken leg in week 7 versus Utah). QB Leon Murray has filled in and has completed 65-of-113 pass attempts for 824 yards, 15 TD's and 10 INT's. In seven appearances Stoerner has completed 122-of-205 passes for 1548 yards, 28 TD's and 8 INT's. The receiving core is led by OS T.T. Toliver with 55 catches, 907 yards and 20 TD's. WR/DB Cornelius Bonner ( 40 receptions, 473 yards and 11 TD's) and WR/LB Corey Fleming (33 receptions, 367 yards and 5 TD's) have added offensive balance. Look for talented FB/LB Dan Alexander (21 carries, 74 yards and four rushing TD's) to be the key on the ground.

DEFENSIVE PREVIEW
The Gladiators moved up to 10th in scoring defense (51.0 points allowed per game) and are 17th in total defense (301.9 yards allowed per game). The defense has held opponents under 50 points for five straight games (Philadelphia 49, Grand Rapids 41, Arizona 47, Utah 47 and Los Angeles 49). WR/DB TJ Hill has been solid all year, leading the team in tackles with 62.5. The defense has been opportunistic scoring touchdowns two of past five contests, both by WR/LB Joe Douglass. The Gladiators are now ranked 10th in sacks (10), led by OL/DL Wilky Bazile (3.5) and OL/DL Steve Konopka (2.5). Nashville has the 6th ranked scoring defense (46.4 points per game) and ranked 1st in total defense (255.1 yards per game). DS Monty Montgomery leads the team in tackles (56.0), passes defended (12) and interceptions (7). The front five have been the difference for Nashville, recording 19 QB sacks (best in AFL), Led by OL/DL Frank Carter (4.5 sacks), OL/DL Joe Minucci (4.5 sacks), OL/DL Anthony Herron (4.0 sacks),OL/DL James Barron (2.0 sacks) and OL/DLAaron McConnell (2.0 sacks).

SPECIAL TEAMS PREVIEW
The Gladiators kickoff team has been spectacular this season. The return average got a boost to 19.1 yards per return which is good for 5th best in the league ( Coco Blalock 22.7 KO avg., Aleric Clark 22.6 KO avg.). They also bagged a return for a touchdown last week (Aleric Clark 57-yard TD return). The coverage team is 9th, 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. The return team is ranked 9th (17.5 average return) in kickoff returns. The Kats have had kicking woes of their own, they are starting their third kicker this season. Recently signed K Jason Ball has hit 1-of-3 attempts since joining the team.

50 BELOW
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 a chilly 50 points in six straight games, leading to a 4-1 mark during the current stretch.

RUNNING DOWN A DREAM
Rookie QB Jason Fife has not only shown off his rocket arm this season, but has also run his way to respect. Fife is the second leading rusher on the team and in the AFL (28 carries for 107 yards and 8 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 1.6 rushing TD's per game, if he continues this pace he will finish with 19 rushing TD's on the season.

ROOKIE SENSATION
Jason Fife has started six games in his AFL career and is being touted as "the real deal," and one of the future stars in the league. Fife has completed 121-of-187 attempts for 1332 yards, 26 TD passes and only eight 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 (2.3 scores per game) for the red and black. He is on pace for 37 which would be just below 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 83 receptions for 930 yards this season.

MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENT
Last week's match-up with division rival Los Angeles was witness to a historic milestone achieved by noted Gladiator stars WR/LB Joe Douglass. "Joe D" caught two TD catches to surpass the century mark for his career and bring his career total to 101 TD receptions. In his seventh year out of Montana, Douglass was the Gladiators Ironman of the Year in 2005.

AGAINST ALL ODDS
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 trend took a turn last week versus Los Angeles. Las Vegas turned the ball over three times (2 INT's and 1 fumble) despite forcing only one LA turnover (1 fumble). Despite the turnover margin (-2) Las Vegas cruised to victory 63-49.

SLAM THE DOOR SHUT
Las Vegas is a perfect 5-0 when leading after three quarters this season. That stat was in jeopardy two weeks ago 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). Despite being outscored 133-152 in the fourth quarter, Las Vegas has held serve when it counts.

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 16 kickoff returns for 361 yards (22.7 yards per return). Clark returned the opening kickoff versus Los Angeles 57-yards for a touchdown (first KO return for TD by Las Vegas this season).

RUSHING ATTACK
Who says you can't run the ball effectively in the AFL. The Gladiators are doing just that through ten weeks this season. The Gladiators have the most potent rushing attack in the league (37.4 yards per game), behind the efforts of FB/LB Marlion Jackson (22 carries 111 yards three TD's), FB/LB Rodney Filer (14 carries 73 yards one TD), QB Jason Fife (28 carries 107 yards 8 TD's) and WR/LB Joe Douglass (13 carries 32 yards 4 TD's).
KONO THE GLADIATOR
Since returning off injured reserve OL/DL Steve Konopka has been instrumental in the resurgence of the Gladiators in the Western Division race. Since "Kono's" return against Philadelphia, Las Vegas has won four of five and held opponents under 50 points for five straight weeks. The seventh-year pro from Central Connecticut has 3.5 sacks, 3 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble and notably a last-minute field goal block versus Utah to preserve the victory in Week 10.

ALERIC MR. ELECTRIC
Rookie WR/DB Aleric Clark has been sensational since joining the team in Week 7 versus Grand Rapids. Clark was signed as a free-agent when WR/DB Coco Blalock went down with a calf injury. The speedster from Louisiana-Lafayette has 372 kick-off return yards on 16 returns (22.6 average) and has eight receptions for 83 yards and four finding the endzone. Clark dazzled the crowd in last week's game versus returning the opening kick-off 57 yards for a touchdown, then proceeded to catapult himself into the stands for a victory celebration.

STEADY IN THE SECONDARY
With the mid-season departure of veteran DS Dameon Porter, DB's TJ Hill and Chris Canty have added leadership, toughness, sure tackling and consistency to the secondary this season. Hill is the team's leading tackler with 62.0 stops and has added 5 pass breakups. In just five games Canty is the second leading tackler with 30.5 stops and a team-high 7 passes defended.

WELCOME BACK FRANK CARTER
This Sunday's game will be a homecoming for Nashville's Frank Carter. For the first time, Carter will suit up at the Thomas and Mack Center without his customary red and black Gladiator uniform. The 6'2" 260 lb FB/LB, was a first-team All Arena selection in 2005 and enjoyed a stellar four-year career with the Gladiators. (New Jersey Gladiators 2002, Las Vegas Gladiators 2003-2005). During his career with Las Vegas, Carter tallied 94.5 tackles, 16 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 4 fumble recoveries.

FAMILIAR FACES
In addition to Frank Carter, there will be one familiar face on the Nashville sideline. WR/DB Cornelius Bonner played with the Gladiators from 2004-2005. Bonner was a key ingredient defensively, recording 130.5 tackles, 12 INT's and 19 passes defended. On the offensive side of the ball Bonner grabbed 67 balls for 908 yards adding 13 TD receptions.

PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR THE KATS
# 27 - FB/LB FRANK CARTER
One of the most physical two-way performers in the AFL is enjoying success in his first year with Nashville. Carter has racked up 4.5 sacks, 17 tackles, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery. Offensively Carter has added 49 yards on 21 carries, scoring 5 rushing TD's.

# 17 - OS T.T. TOLIVER
This speedy offensive specialist leads the team in all receiving statistical categories. Toliver has 55 catches for 907 yards and 20 receiving TD's. Toliver has added two scores on the ground this season.

# 25 - DS MONTY MONTGOMERY
Despite missing two games this season, he leads the team with 56.0 tackles, 7 INT's, and 12 pass breakups. Montgomery adds physical toughness and a wealth of NFL

# 98 - OL/DL JOE MINUCCI
Former University of Delaware standout is shining in only his second AFL season, recording 4 sacks, 16 tackles, 1 fumble recovery and 5 pass breakups.

# 95 - OL/DL JAMES BARRON
Barron is recognized as one of the AFL's most dominating big-men of all-time. In 10th season in the AFL and second with the Kats, Barron is the anchor of arguably the best defensive fronts in the league. Barron has 2 sacks, 9.5 tackles and 2 fumble recoveries.

#8 - WR/DB CORNELIUS BONNER
A steady two-way player has been solid for the Kats this season. Offensively Bonner has 33 catches for 473 yards adding 11 receiving TD's. Defensively he has 36 tackles, 1 INT, and 8 pass breakups in 10 games played this season.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 5, 2006


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