Gladiators suffer devastating loss - DJ's Blog

DJ's Blog

Gladiators suffer devastating loss

Posted on January 14, 2009 at 09:56 AM.

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The New York Gladiators were one play away from its second win of the season, but as has been the case this season, the defense didn't respond when needed.

Anthony Carter caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Neil O'Donnell in the final 10 seconds of regulation to send the Armchair QB's North Division game into overtime. The Norsemen won the toss and quickly moved into field goal range, where Lance Barber connected on a 28-yard field goal to give the Noresmen the 27-24 victory.

The loss drops the Gladiators to 1-5 in the North Division.

"This one hurts," Gladiators coach/owner Dan Johnson said. "We did a lot of good things in this game but when we really needed to step up and make a couple of plays, we didn't do it."

Down 17-0 early the Gladiators erupted for 24 straight points to take a 24-17 lead in the fourth quarter. Carl Banks made a rare big play for the defense as he intercepted O'Donnell and returned it 31 yards inside the Norsemen 5 yard-line, setting up the go-ahead score.

Up 21-17 in the fourth quarter, the Gladiators had a chance to put the game away after Sammy Baugh completed a pass to tight end Pete Metzelaars down to the Norsemen 2, but the Gladiators had to settle for a field goal, allowing the Noresmen one final shot to tie the game.

"We can't settle for a field goal when we're that close to the end zone," Johnson said. "If we score a touchdown, more than likely, the game is over."

After a slow start, Baugh and the New York offense caught fire late in the second quarter and continued the momemtum into the second half. Baugh threw touchdown passes to Andre Reed, James Lofton and Metzelaars and finished the day 15-of-24 for 199 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.

Lofton had another big game at wideout, hauling in 7 catches for 122 yards and the one touchdown. Running back Christian Okoye chimed in with 17 carries for 73 yards.

"Once we got rolling they couldn't stop us," Lofton said. "Even when we were down early we didn't panic because we knew we'd score eventually. Coach is right, though, we can't get inside the 5 and come away with a field goal, especially when we're hurting for a win."

Cornerback Mel Renfro, who was burned several pass plays late in the game, led the defense with eight tackles. The Gladiators did register three sacks, but also allowed O'Donnell to throw for 252 yards and Chuck Foreman to gain 99 yards on 18 carries.

"We're close," Banks said of the defnese. "We played well in the second half until the end of the game. Overtime was tough because we'd been on the field for a while and they won the toss, so I think we just ran out of steam. Hopefully this game shows us what we did well and what we need to improve on."

With time running out on the Gladiators playoff hopes, tensions are high.

"Every cliche you can think of we're living right now," wide receiver Don Maynard said. "This is a tough position to be in, but all you can do is continue to play hard and continue to battle every week. No one's given up yet, but we all realize that we can't afford any more losses."

Comments

# 1 RogueHominid @ Jan 14

Wow, DJ, tough loss. Good writeup, though! Steve Young once said that field goals in the second half are like kissing your sister: it's not going to get you very far, lol.

Hang in there! Your offense is so explosive that you're going to be in every single game you play. Once your defense settles in and starts making some plays, you'll be back up and running.

# 2 CreatineKasey @ Jan 14

Good writeup! It sounds like you need some red zone stops and field goals. Your offense is so explosive that if you keep the mindset of giving up 3's... you should be in a place to roll your opponent.