It was not the trip the Gladiators had in mind when they left early Sunday morning to take on the Burlington Stampeders in the first round of the playoffs. Visions of making it to the championship was on every player’s mind and anything else would be deemed a failure.
The championship aspirations will have to wait one more year as the Gladiators fell 20-3 to the Stampeders.
The ride back was full of players who were no doubt disappointed, but it was a bus full of athletes who would not quit all season.
“They tried their hardest and there was no quit in them,” said head coach Brent Richer.
The game started off with both teams sputtering. The Gladiators had a field goal blocked and had to settle for a 3-3 score at halftime.
In the second half, the Gladiators offense couldn’t get anything going as they be held without a touchdown.
Timing was no doubt a little off between offensive players having not played a game in three weeks.
“Those three weeks really messed up our whole timing of our offence,” said Richer.
Part credit would also have to go to the defensive line of the Stamps.
“Their D-line was just that much better than our offensive line,” said Richer. “They were in our backfield causing havoc all game.”
The Stampeders got up 13-3 and tacked on a late touchdown to put the final score at 20-3.
One bright spot was the Gladiators defense who were able to hold off the league’s best offense for most of the game, picking off the Stampeders quarterback twice with interceptions from defensive backs Eric Cecile and Taylor Roberts.
The Gladiators will hold their awards ceremony on Aug. 12 to wrap up the 2010 season.
By NICK LIARD, FOR THE SUDBURY STAR
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