Las Vegas Gladiators game notes
March 7, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Las Vegas Gladiators News Release
GLADIATORS VS. RAMPAGE: THE FACTS
Date: Thursday, March 8th
Kickoff: 4 p.m. Pacific
Site: Van Andel Arena
Officials: Dave Cutaia (R), Doug Wilson (U), Greg Shields (HL), Dave Chesney (LJ)
and James Cole (BJ)
THE GAME CAN BE HEARD...
On ESPNRadio 920 in Las Vegas with John Hanson handling play-by-play and Adam Grant will provide color commentary.
THE GAME CAN BE SEEN...
On AFL Net at 4pm PT
THE SERIES - GLADIATORS VS. RAMPAGE
This will be the fifth meeting between the two teams. The Gladiators have defeated the rampage in 3 out of the 4 meetings. The only loss occurred in their first meeting in 2003.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
If the Gladiators win, it would
- Give Las Vegas a 4-1 record vs. the Rampage
- Give Las Vegas a 1-1 Overall Record
- Give Las Vegas a 1-1 Road record
SCHEDULES
LAS VEGAS GLADIATORS (0-0)
Date Opponent Time Result Score
March 4 @ Austin 1:00pm L 57-36
March 8 @ Grand Rapids 4:00pm
March 18 New Orleans 3:00pm
March 23 @ Arizona 4:00pm
April 1 Utah 3:00pm
April 7 Kansas City 3:00pm
April 15 @ Georgia 12:30pm
April 20 @ Colorado 6:00pm
April 29 Orlando 3:00pm
May 6 Los Angeles 3:00pm
May 12 @ San Jose 5:30pm
May 18 @ Utah 6:00pm
June 3 Arizona 3:00pm
June 10 Nashville 3:00pm
June 17 @ Los Angeles 3:30pm
June 25 San Jose 7:00 PM
All times PST
GRAND RAPIDS RAMPAGE
Date Opponent Time Result Score
March 4 @ Colorado 12pm W 44-42
March 8 Las Vegas 4pm
March 15 Philadelphia 4pm
March 23 @ Utah 6pm
April 7 New York 4pm
April 14 @ Kansas City 5pm
April 21 Chicago 4pm
April 28 @ Los Angeles 7:30pm
May 5 Nashville 4pm
May 11 @ Columbus 4pm
May 19 @ San Jose 7:30pm
May 26 Colorado 4pm
June2 Kansas City 4pm
June 9 @ Chicago 5pm
June 16 Tampa Bay 4pm
June 23 @ Nashville 5pm
All times PST
GLADIATORS PREVIOUS GAME
The Las Vegas Gladiators fell in the season opener in Austin losing to the Wranglers 57-36. The Gladiators started the game with a 19-0 deficit that they were unable to recover from. Although the Las Vegas Gladiators were down by 19 points early they showed promising strides of potential success, but the early setback didn't allow the Gladiators enough time in the end to pull out a win.
Austin started the game with a field goal by kicker Mark Lewis, followed by a safety, and an on-side kick recovery that lead to a touchdown by FB/LB Chad Duke. Austin did not allow the Gladiators to touch the ball until after two possessions which led to two scores.
Gladiators' QB Shaun King ran it in from one-yard out for their first touchdown of the game with 13 minutes to go in the second quarter. With the Gladiators finally gaining momentum on offense they came back with a safety and field goal that would have them only down 29-12 at the half.
The Gladiators started the second half strong with a first down pass to WR Etu Molden and consecutive completions to WR Kevin Prentiss. Both receivers made outstanding plays, which resulted in significant yardage for the Gladiators. The drive resulted in a field goal by Steve Azar. QB Shaun King came back with another quarterback sneak resulting in a touch down to cut the lead to 36-22, but the Wranglers answered each time with a score that left the Gladiators continually trailing.
The early deficit in the first quarter put Las Vegas in a position that they were unable to bounce back from. Austin played extremely well, giving Las Vegas only glimpses of hope to gain the lead.
THE COACHES
Danton Barto
Barto was named Head Coach of the Las Vegas Gladiators on June 18, 2006.
Barto spent the last five seasons as the Head Coach of the Memphis Xplorers of af2. His career regular season record entering the season stands at 49-35 and 4-2 in the postseason. He is the winningest coach in af2 over the last three seasons. He was named the af2 Coach of the Year in 2005 as he led the Xplorers to their best season in franchise history; a 13-3 regular season mark, a Midwest Division title and the 2005 ArenaCup Championship. In 2004, Memphis won ten games and earned their first trip to the playoffs, before falling to the eventual champion Florida Firecats on a last second field goal miss. Barto was promoted from defensive coordinator to the head coach position prior to the 2002 season and won his first three games in what turned out to be a 5-11 season. Coach Barto is still considered a University of Memphis legend; he played for the Tigers from 1990-1993. He currently is the only player to be named to the All-American team three different years. He is still ranked number one in career tackles for the University of Memphis with 473. Coach Barto also enjoyed a 5-year professional career in the CFL and AFL leagues. In the CFL, he played for the Shreveport Pirates, Memphis Mad Dogs, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Ottawa Rough Riders. In the AFL, he played for the Connecticut Coyotes in 1996. Coach Barto currently resides with his wife Rachel and his 9-year-old son Will in Collierville, TN. He is a native of Niceville, FL.
Barto's Season Records
2001 5-11
2003 6-10
2004 10-6 0-1 playoffs
2005 13-3 3-0 playoffs
2006 11-5 1-1 playoffs
His 49 wins rank him in a tie for 4th on the af2 all time list.
Sparky McEwen
Sparky McEwen is in his third year as head coach and director of football operations for the Grand Rapids Rampage. In two seasons, he has led the team to a 9-23 record, including a 5-11 mark in 2006. Last season, the Rampage showed significant growth for the second straight year, however, boasting one of the league's stingiest defenses. Grand Rapids improved its win total in each of McEwen's first two seasons as head coach. In 2006, McEwen led a Rampage squad that battled through injuries for much of the season, with 97 games missed due to injury. The team featured several bright spots, however, highlighted by its stellar defense. The Rampage were tops in the Arena Football League in passing yards allowed per game (243.1) and ranked fifth in the league in total yards allowed per game (274.9). With McEwen at the helm, the defense set several team records, including least passing yards allowed per game, most takeaways in a season (30), most interceptions in a season (19), and most forced fumbles in a season (13). The 2006 Rampage also controlled the ball on offense, leading the league in average time of possession (31:30). McEwen also oversaw the incredible 2006 season of Timon Marshall, who was named to the AFL U.S. Army's All-Ironman Team, becoming just the fourth Rampage player to earn such an honor. Marshall, who McEwen recruited while coaching with the Oklahoma Yard Dawgz of arenafootball2 in 2004, led the AFL and set a team record in single-season all-purpose yards with 2,734. McEwen's ties to the Rampage go back to the team's inaugural season in 1998. He appeared in five games and had a 2-1 record as the starting quarterback with 477 passing yards, four passing touchdowns and six rushing scores. In 2000, McEwen joined the team as a pro scout and assistant coach. His experienced scouting led to the signing of two future ArenaBowl MVPs, Terrill Shaw and Willis Marshall. A year later, McEwen was promoted to offensive coordinator and helped guide the Rampage to their ArenaBowl XV win. In his three seasons (2001-03) as the Rampage offensive coordinator, Grand Rapids' offense scored more points and gained more yards than any other team in the AFL. In 2004, McEwen served as the assistant head coach/offensive coordinator for the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz of arenafootball2. Oklahoma City (10-6) was the af2's second-best scoring team (56.8 points per game), the third-best offensive unit (276.8 yards per game) and third-ranked passing offense (260.8 yards per game). There he recruited Rampage star Timon Marshall and 2005 All-Rookie kicker Peter Martinez, along with other af2 talents Colin Bryant and Johnnie Balous. McEwen also spent eight years as head coach of Creston High School in Grand Rapids, compiling a 43-30 record for his alma mater. He led Creston to its first winning season in 21 years in 1999, and delivered back-to-back City League titles in 2000 and 2001. In all, he helped over 50 players receive collegiate football scholarships. McEwen attended Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich., from 1987-90, where he played quarterback, receiver, cornerback, safety and kick/punt returner during his four-year career. McEwen and his wife, Janelle, have three children: Charles ("Little Sparky"), A.J. and Ja'nae. They reside in Kentwood, Mich.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME 2007
Offensive Player of the Game
Week Opp. Player
1 @ AUS Adrian Mcpherson (QB)
2 @ GRR
ADT Defensive Player of the Game
Week Opp. Player
1 @ AUS Dane Krager (FB/LB/DL)
2 @ GRR
Army Ironman of the Game
Week Opp. Player
1 @ AUS Greg Brown (LB)
2 @ GRR
GLADIATORS' PREVIEW NOTES AND TRENDS
Game Preview
After a win in their last game against the Grand Rapids Rampage, the Gladiators are looking to get a win early in the 2007 season. The two teams have met up four times prior to Thursday's game with the Gladiators winning decisively in three meetings. The Gladiators roster may have shown a bit of AFL inexperience in their game opener with a loss to the Austin Wranglers, but they look to improve in their second game against the Rampage. The Rampage is coming off of a close win in their opener by beating the Colorado Crush in a 44-42 nail biter. But with the sour taste of a loss in their mouth the Gladiators are more than ready to put one in the win column in Grand Rapids on Thursday night.
Grand Rapids' Week 1 at Colorado
The Rampage beat the Colorado Crush in comeback fashion in their season opener to set off a great spark to the season. Despite going against last year's AFL player of the year Damian Harrell, Grand Rapids was able to score 21 unanswered points in the third quarter to clinch a victory over Colorado.
Gladiators First Attack
Shaun King may have come out the gates slower than most expected in his AFL opener, but many see a great deal of potential in the former NFL quarterback. King threw for 275 yards and an INT, but was able to run a touchdown in for the Gladiators twice. Two bright spots that really stood out and look to make a major impact this season are receivers Etu Molden and Kevin Prentiss. Both were able to eclipse the 100 yard mark in the game against Austin. The two offensive studs look to improve as Shaun King starts to get into his AFL form, which could lead to a high powered Gladiator offense for future games.
Defensive Goes On Guard
DL John Nix had a solid performance on defense with one sack and two solo tackles. DB/WR Eddie Canonico led the way with 5 solo tackles and 2 assists. The Gladiators need drive up the heat and rush the QB more, which they will do against the Rampage on Thursday.
Re-Programming a Team
While Sunday's loss to Austin was a blow to a new Gladiators team looking to start out strong, it was their potential that caught our eye. With the first game of the season being many Gladiators' first game in the AFL, their performance was strong, if not totally convincing. For the players coming to the Gladiators from the NFL, their performance is coming down to one key aspect: forgetting. Several of the skills they've honed during their NFL play are hindering them in the AFL, where strategy and fundamentals can differ a great deal. Coach Barto and his staff are going to have to erase players' habits acquired in the NFL, and help them to adopt a new and more fast paced way of thinking.
Special Teams Make the Grade
Special teams played extremely well in Sunday's game vs. Austin. Kevin Prentiss returned 8 kickoffs for an average of 16.9 yards, including one return for 45 yards. Kicker Steve Azar scored 10 points for the team with 2 field goals and 4 extra points. OL/DL Terrence Martin let fans know that he's a play-maker when he blocked an Austin field goal attempt, which resulted in a Gladiators safety.
PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR ON THE RAMPAGE
Jerome Riley WR/DB (6"2, 195, Washington State)
Earned Ironman of the Game honors in their season opener, with both a touchdown reception and an interception for a return. He has spent three years in the AFL, with both the Rampage and Avengers.
Chris Ryan FB/LB (6", 305, Clark ATL. University)
This AFL Veteran made a jump in the records book in their season opener becoming 2nd in team history with the highest number of rushing yards, with 524. He is also ranked 2nd for the most rushing touchdowns (37).
Chukie Nwokorie DL (6"3, 285, Purdue)
Former Las Vegas Gladiator enters his second season in the AFL and his first with the Rampage. In their first game of the 2007 season he had a sack, a forced fumble, which he himself recovered. The Gladiators Offensive Line will have to stay strong in order to avoid any sacks.
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