Orlando hands Cleveland third loss of the season

Sunday May 15, 2011

Predators’ 56-26 win drops the Gladiators to 5-3 in 2011

ORLANDO, FL – The Cleveland Gladiators dropped their third game of the season, 56-26, to the Orlando Predators in front of 11,256 at the Amway Center in downtown Orlando on Saturday night. The loss puts Cleveland at 5-3 on the season, while the Predators improved to 6-3.

Quarterback Dan Whalen went 14-of-29 for 200 yards and three touchdowns, with one rushing score, in his first extended action of the season. Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game Dominick Goodman caught seven passes for 114 yards and his first-ever AFL touchdown pass in the contest.

Wide receivers Troy Bergeron and Robert Redd each caught touchdowns in the game. Bergeron’s score gives him at least one in each of the last 11 games, dating back to 2008 when he was a member of the Georgia Force. He has 29 total touchdowns during that streak.

National Guard MVP Nick Hill was 23-of-29 for 267 yards and six passing scores, while adding 23 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Five different receivers caught a pass from Hill in the game, and wide receiver Robert Quiroga caught three touchdowns.

The Gladiators were held to just seven first half points, tying their season low for points in a half. At one point, the Predators scored on five straight possessions. Cleveland never led in the game.

Cleveland turned the ball over on downs five times in the game, four of which were in Orlando territory. A first quarter interception boosted the Predators’ AFL-leading interception total to 20 on the season. The Gladiators forced two fumbles on the night.

Levy Brown led the way for the Gladiators defensively with eight total tackles and one fumble recovery. Anthony Hoke had one sack to push his total to 5.5 on the year, and Tim Cheatwood also had a sack to give him 3.5 on the season. Cheatwood and Mike Bragg each were responsible for a forced fumble.

The Cleveland Gladiators are back at The Q on THIS SATURDAY, May 21st when they continue East Division play against the Philadelphia Soul at 7:00 p.m. for Cleveland Crunch Reunion Night! SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW! For more information, visit www.clevelandgladiators.com or call 216.685.9000 today!