CLEVELAND GLADIATORS

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Some of us hold onto unrealistic dreams, no matter how old we get.

When I was 12 years old, playing Nerf football in the back yard, the fantasy was to be the next Roger Staubach.

Now, almost 32 years later, the fantasy is to get out of bed in the morning without pulling a hamstring . . . and to be the next Roger Staubach.

Clearly, the odds of me playing professional football are infinity-to-one.

The Cleveland Gladiators recently gave me, and 116 other hopefuls, that one shot.

All 117 of us crowded into the Multiplex Events and Sports Center in Warrensville Heights on Oct. 11 for open tryouts for the Arena Football League team.

It's why Chris Kolokithas, 22, drove to the tryout from Chelsea, Mich. The part-owner of a cell-phone store accepts the long odds, but he doesn't lack confidence.

"I know I'm a good enough receiver to do it," he says. "These guys who are All-Americans, I know I can beat them."

Continue reading "Ordinary average guy: Throwing it out there, just in case" »

The Gladiators' playoff run ended with a thud, with the Philadelphia Soul administering a 70-35 beat-down in the AFL National Conference title game Saturday in Philadelphia.

As painful as the loss was, the Gladiators organization can derive considerable satisfaction from the season as a whole. Here is a capsule look:

Ownership, with President Bernie Kosar as the face of the franchise, brought back arena football to Cleveland for the first time since the Thunderbolts played in Richfield Coliseum in the early 1990s.

Continue reading "Gladiators set numerous franchise records in first season in Cleveland" »

Robert Redd did his job Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia.

Problem for the Gladiators is, Redd only counts for one. His 11 receptions for 152 yards and two touchdowns were buried in the rubble of a 70-35 loss to the Soul in the National Conference championship game.

"I thought I played an all-right game, but it wasn't enough for us to pull out the 'W,' " he said. "All that really matters is, did we win? The individual stuff doesn't matter when you don't win."

Redd is being humble: He was better than all right. Because so few of his teammates delivered to expectations, Redd's performance qualifies as terrific. The Bowling Green product stood out like a giant buoy in choppy seas.

Continue reading "Redd terrific, but season over" »

Philadelphia -- Mike Brown hurdled Gladiators kicker Jason Ball attempting to make a tackle, then cruised the remaining 30 yards untouched to the end zone.

"That return took it out of us," Cleveland quarterback Raymond Philyaw said, following the Philadelphia Soul's 70-35 victory in Saturday's Arena League National Conference title game.

Matt D'Orazio threw a franchise-record eight touchdown passes to help propel the Soul (15-3) to ArenaBowl XXII in New Orleans on July 27.

"My goal was to enjoy myself," said D'Orazio, a six-year veteran who led the Chicago Rush to an AFL championship two seasons ago but started the season as Philadelphia's backup quarterback. "There's no doubt the whole team had fun."

Larry Brackins and Brent Holmes each caught three touchdown passes for Philadelphia, which scored on 10 of 11 possessions. Eddie Moten picked off two passes and finished with 10 1/2 tackles.

Continue reading "Gladiators' Arena League title hopes hurdled by Soul in 70-35 romp" »

Philadelphia -- Matt D'Orazio threw eight touchdown passes to lead the Philadelphia Soul to its first ever appearance in the Arena Bowl with a 70-35 win over the Cleveland Gladiators on Saturday.

D'Orazio completed 17 of 25 passes for 184 yards. Larry Brackins and Brent Holmes each caught three touchdown passes.

Robert Redd's 16-yard scoring catch cut the Soul's lead to 45-28 early in the third, but Mike Brown's highlight-reel kick return during which he hurdled over kicker Jason Ball on his way to the endzone gave Philadelphia a 52-28 lead and they never looked back.

Continue reading "Gladiators' playoff run stalls as Philadelphia romps to Arena Bowl berth, 70-35" »

1. The Gladiators have far exceeded the expectations of most. Just making the playoffs one sea son after going 2-14 in Las Vegas was considered a tremendous achievement; now they are one game from the ArenaBowl. Cleveland players relish their role as underdogs. They want to keep hearing that no one thought they would be here. As a result, they won't be unnerved by short rest, a top-seeded opponent or a hostile crowd.

2. The Gladiators' offensive line must protect quarterback Raymond Philyaw. The O-line, while decent, is Cleveland's weakest link. Philyaw's pocket presence and mobility repeatedly saves it from giving up sacks. Philadelphia's defensive line knows how to bring pressure, giving the backs a chance to make plays.

3. Soul quarterback Matt D'Orazio, who was born in Elyria, rarely makes mental mistakes, and he takes care of the football. The Gladiators cannot afford to let him get in a rhythm, especially with receiver Chris Jackson. Brandon Hefflin must have a big game in the Cleveland secondary.

4. Philyaw is the reason the Gladiators will move on. A nine-year AFL player, he has been brilliant in the playoffs, throwing for 16 TDs in two games. Hard to imagine he would falter now, with his first ArenaBowl appearance in plain view. His savvy and accuracy will carry the day.

- Dennis Manoloff

Check out highlights of the Week 16 matchup between the Gladiators and Soul:

Brian Partlow does not wear a helmet or shoulder pads, but he is every bit as dangerous as those who do.

As the Gladiators' offensive coordinator, Partlow will have the Philadelphia Soul's full attention when the teams meet on Saturday for a trip to the ArenaBowl.

Kickoff for the National Conference championship game is 1 p.m.

Working for AFL Coach of the Year Mike Wilpolt, Partlow is the mad scientist whose beakers have been bubbling over this year. His offense enjoyed a terrific regular season in helping the Gladiators finish 9-7 and has been just as dialed in, if not more so, in the playoffs.

In the wild-card round, the Gladiators defeated Orlando, 69-66. In the divisional round, they won at Georgia, 73-70, last Monday night.

Continue reading "Gladiators assistant Partlow proud of his winning scheme" »

If the Gladiators want to get to ArenaBowl XXII, they will have to go through Elyria native Matt D'Orazio.

Philadelphia Soul coach Bret Munsey said this week that D'Orazio will start at quarterback against the Gladiators on Saturday in the National Conference championship game. Kickoff is 1 p.m. in Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.

D'Orazio signed with the Soul in the off-season as backup to Tony Graziani. D'Orazio took over when Graziani was injured early in the season.

Graziani returned to the lineup, then got injured again. Late in the season, he suffered a concussion. Graziani has been cleared to play, but his inability to practice for weeks is one reason Munsey decided to stick with D'Orazio, who started a divisional-round game against New York last weekend.

At the same time, Munsey has not ruled out replacing D'Orazio with Graziani if the starter were to struggle. D'Orazio went 8-3 as a starter; Graziani was 5-0.

"Hopefully, we won't have to worry about that," Munsey said in a conference call Wednesday.

Continue reading "Elyria's D'Orazio poses big hurdle for Gladiators as Philadelphia's QB" »