Mustangs hold off determined gladiators

Make no mistake about it, the Capital Area DQ Gladiators are back.

After starting the season in the Maritime Senior Football League 0-2, the Gladiators had been considered an afterthought in the minds of many in the league and perhaps even in their own backyard.

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After falling 27-19 to league juggernaut and perennial power, the Moncton Mustangs, last night at Chapman Field before 250 fans, the Glads have served notice that the rumors of their demise have been greatly exaggerated.

“I said coming into this game that Moncton would be in for a game from us and we showed up to play tonight,” said head coach Terry McIntyre.

“We were one play away from a win tonight and this is with a team that has won 25 games in a row in this league.

“We gave them the best game they’ve had in a while. They knew they were in a game, that’s for sure.”

McIntyre is not far off. The Gladiators fell behind early and trailed 14-7 at the half, but never quit, fighting to the last second on the clock.

With the score 27-19 and following a successfully recovered Jeff Taylor onside kick they held the ball on Moncton’s 35-yard line.

If not for four men covering the scorching hot Taylor and knocking away the last-gasp shot to the end zone, the Gladiators may well have pulled this one out.

“This brings us back to respectability, no one included us as contenders – maybe even we thought that ourselves, but this shows everyone that we’re committed and there are good things to come from this program this year,” said Taylor, who caught 14 balls for 212 yards and a TD on the night.

“Our offensive line has been a weak spot but they stepped up and had a heck of a game and gave Brendan Cornford time to throw. We have to be considered a team that teams are not going to want to play now.”

Cornford brought his A-game, without question, completing 28 of 42 passes for three TDs and 402 yards. Inside receiver Cody Stewart contributed 10 catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns as the Gladiators showed their resilience through the air.

After playing to a 1-0 score in the first quarter, the teams battled back and forth in what would have to be called a ‘contentious and cantankerous’ second quarter where Glads’ Andy Gillingham and Bruce Canning engaged in heated physical battles with their Moncton counterparts, resulting in penalties but also, respect.

“That is the most heart I have ever seen a Gladiator team play with, ever,” said Bobby McIntyre, himself a former Gladiator and a recent transplant to the Mustang fold.

“This is the best the Gladiators have ever done against this program and they looked polished. Jeff Taylor had an incredible game and it was clear to me that they don’t miss me one bit.”

McIntyre may be right.

Were it not for the stellar run defence of the Mustangs and the great play of their quarterback, Donovan Boucher, the Gladiators would have easily outclassed the visiting Moncton powerhouse.

Pass rusher extraordinaire Andrew Gallant was a nuisance to Cornford all night and provided just enough pressure to make him miss on the final play of the game, a 40-yard shot to Taylor in the end zone that came up just short.

By then Moncton had been burned by Taylor too many times to allow him to do it again, as Taylor’s magic had run its course by virtue of the four defenders assigned to him.

“The plan was to go to Cody and get a tip ball,” said Taylor of his receiving partner, the towering Stewart. “It just didn’t work out that time, but we came awful close.”

Photo: The Daily Gleaner/Ray Bourgeois
It looks like Joel Rickard of the Moncton Mustangs is about to catch the ball, but Steve Kean, right, of the Capital Area DQ Gladiators managed to jar it loose during Maritime Men’s Football League action Friday at Chapman Field. The Mustangs won 27-19.

By ROBERT TOUCHIE
For The Daily Gleaner