Gladiators upset Spartans for big win
July 28, 2008
Wauwatosa, WI – In the game listed as GAME OF THE WEEK, the Rock County Gladiators upset the Wauwatosa Spartans at Wisconsin Lutheran College by a score of 31-12.
The Spartans were currently tied for 1st place with the Burlington Blue Devils in the American Conference with a record of 5-1. The Gladiators sitting back in the 5th position of the American, but coming off their 1st win in the IFL over the Fond du Lac Crusaders.
After the opening kickoff the Gladiators drove 58 yards, capped off by a touchdown pass from QB, Dan Roberts to TE, Nate Wallman for 4 yards. The kick was failed, but the Gladiators started the game on top 6-0 and never looked back.
Gladiators LB, Donnie Willingham then intercepted Spartans quarterback Matt Kufahl on the first play. The Spartans then stopped the Gladiators on downs only to be intercepted again by SS, Tad Bennett. The Gladiators took advantage of this turnover with a pass from Roberts to WR, Jermar Ayers for 40 yards and putting them on the ½ yard line. Roberts then dove in for the touchdown on the next play and increasing the Gladiators lead to 12.
A good return by WR, Raymond “Big Play Shay” Porsche set up a Spartan drive that looked very promising. The Spartans RB, Cedric “The Entertainer” McFadden led his team within the Gladiators red-zone only to see a fumble returned for an apparent touchdown by Gladiators LB, Tyler Honeck. After a long discussion by the referee crew, the fumble was ruled an incomplete pass and gave the Spartans 4th and 10. The Gladiators then forced and recovered a fumble on that play for another turnover.
Driving from just outside their own red-zone the Gladiators inched their way out, but was looking at a 4th and 3, when Roberts connected with RB, Jerrod Copper for a 6 yard gain and a new set of downs. Roberts then took the next plays to hook up with WR, Derrick Furman for 24 yards, and a 3 yard touchdown to WR, Jermar Ayers. That ended the half with the Gladiators on top 18-0.
The Spartans took their first drive in the second half to pay dirt with a rushing TD of 1 yard by McFadden. After 2 penalties on the PAT, the attempt was failed and the score was now 18-6. The Gladiators did not waste anytime in scoring after the kick return with an 82 yard touchdown pass from Roberts to Ayers. Nick Hammon’s kick was good making the new score 25-6. The Spartans again took the ball the length of the field for another touchdown for McFadden and the score was now 25-12, but that was the last time the Spartans threatened again.
After a couple of punts, Gladiators LB, Deandre Harrell made Spartans RB, McFadden cough up the ball and DE, Nate Wallman recovered and returned it for 33 yards. After Gladiator running plays of 4, 29, 5, and 4 by RB, Tobias Tyler and FB, Nick Hammon, Roberts hit WR, Marchez Range wide open in the end zone for the last score of the night.
After a few stops by both defenses the Gladiators were able to go into victory formation and run out the clock and cap the upset by a score of 31-12.
The Spartans fell to an overall record of 5-2 and hope to regroup against the New Berlin Panthers this Saturday at Wisconsin Lutheran College. Kickoff is at 8pm.
The Rock County Gladiators improved to 3-5 overall and hope to have the same results against the St Francis Monarchs this Sunday at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex. Kickoff is 4pm.