Gladiators subdue Tide

OFC:  Gladiators battle slow start but come out winners against Crimson Tide

It was another tight one for the Sudbury Gladiators as they improve to 2-0 on the season with a 22-13 victory over the North Halton Crimson Tide.

Defensive back Alec Miller led the Gladiators with a career game as he had two interceptions and a fumble recovery in the end zone after Halton bobbled a punt.

“It felt great it was the first of my career, so it was pretty hard to grasp at first,” said Miller.  “But it feels great, that adrenaline rush coming after.”

“It feels good to actually get out and get some playing time.”

His two interceptions added to the team’s game total of four. Tanaka Chakwesha and Josiah Walt also added single interceptions.

“They played well together, we made some adjustments after we had an injury,” said Gladiators defensive back coach Ozzie Wilson.  “They came together.”

“I let them call the game in the second half.”

They were able to stifle the passing game of the Tide for the entire game.

“He was putting passes a lot in one spot and just letting the receiver run into it,” said Miller.  “He would just put it up 20 yards into the air.”

“Later in the game we just kind of backed off, and kept an eye on the quarterback, and the receiver even during man coverage. Then we watched the ball up in the air and followed the receiver until it dropped, and it was easier to make a play.”

The Gladiators took a 14-7 halftime lead after the recovered fumble and a Zacharie Roque receiving touchdown, his second on the season.

Even with the lead the Gladiators didn’t look sharp, getting off to a slow start for the second straight game.

It’s maturity, it will come with time and practice,” said Gladiators head coach Brent Richer. “This team reminds me of the team from 2011, they were very young too.”

“Up until week five we didn’t score a touchdown in the first quarter. We just have to stick with it.”

In the second half, the Gladiators made a switch at quarterback again this time they went from Hunter Holub to Aaron Campbell.

They were able to grind out the win as Matthew Glass scored a touchdown late in the game.

The  Crimson Tide had an opportunity in the final seconds to tie the game up but yet again Miller came up with two great coverage sequences knocking down two passes in the end zone.

This win pushes the streak of 13 straight regular season wins for the Gladiators.  It’s not a championship, but it is a bright spot for the program.
“It shows some dedication, and it shows where we came from,” said Richer.  “In a previous life, in a previous league a two win season was considered a great deal.”

“And now we are 2-0 and still disappointed with the result. It’s great for our executive, our coaching staff has put in a lot of time and a lot of effort to get us here. And the players of course, that’s a great achievement, I’m very proud of that.”

The Gladitors will head to North Bay to take on the Nipissing Wild, who won big against the Clarington Knights on Saturday, 59-0.