Week 16 Preview: Pittsburgh Power at Cleveland Gladiators

Wednesday July 3, 2013

 Saturday, July 6 – 7:00 pm EDT
Quicken Loans Arena – Cleveland, OH
Radio: TribLIVE Radio SportsTalk
Live Stream: AFL Access
All-Time Series: Pittsburgh leads 3-2

THE GAME

The Pittsburgh Power (3-11) visit their East Division rivals Cleveland Gladiators (2-12) on Saturday night at Quicken Loans Arena. Kickoff is at 7:00 pm EDT.

The Power are coming off a tough 59-54 loss to the New Orleans VooDoo last Saturday at CONSOL Energy Center. There were 11 lead changes in the game, which arguably featured the Power’s most complete start-to-finish performance of the 2013 season. The Gladiators enter the contest after suffering their seventh straight loss last week at home against the division champion Philadelphia Soul.

Pittsburgh and Cleveland battled head to head during Week 10 of AFL action. The Power scored 27 unanswered points to close out the Gladiators, 55-44, at CONSOL Energy Center.

POWER TO WATCH | OFFENSE

Passing: Leading the Power’s offense is Quarterback Steven Sheffield, who has completed 60.4% of his passes for 1,602 yards in 6 games. Sheffield has thrown 32 touchdown passes in 136 attempts. In last week’s game against New Orleans, Sheffield tied a franchise single game touchdown passing record with 7.

Receiving: Earning the AFL Cutters Catch of the Game honors for Week 15, wide receiver Mike Washington has 112 catches for 1,283 yards and 28 touchdowns. In last weeks game against the VooDoo, 3-year Power veteran, Washington wrote his name in Pittsburgh’s record back setting the franchise’s single game record for receiving touchdowns, with 5. Mike is currently a candidate for Week 15 AFL MVP honors. Wide receiver Julian Talley is second amongst Pittsburgh receivers with 622 receiving yards on 56 catches for 11 touchdowns.

GLADIATORS TO WATCH | OFFENSE

Passing: Heading the Gladiator’s offense is quarterback Chris Dieker with 151 passes for 1,622 yards and 27 touchdowns. Dieker also leads Cleveland’s running game with 215 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. Last week against the Soul, Dieker rushed for 3 touchdowns.

Receiving: Wide receiver Dominick Goodman leads the Gladiators with a team high 120 points. Goodman has caught 120 passes for 1,022 yards and 18 touchdowns. Last week against Philadelphia, wide receiver Carlese Franklin had 155 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns.

POWER TO WATCH | DEFENSE

Defense: Pittsburgh’s defense is bolstered by defensive back Sergio Gilliam’s team-leading 72.5 tackles. Gilliam also has 19 pass breakups and 6 interceptions, including 3 returned for touchdowns. Also, contributing to the Power’s defensive efforts are Jack linebacker Alvin Ray Jackson (59.5 tackles and 2 interceptions) and defensive back Chris LeFlore (51.5 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 13 pass breakups).

GLADIATORS TO WATCH | DEFENSE

Defense: Defensive backs LaRoche Jackson and Lenny Wicks head Cleveland’s defense. Jackson has a team high 74.5 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 8 pass breakups, and Wicks has added 58.5 tackles, 2 interception, and 7 pass breakups.

POWER TO WATCH | SPECIAL TEAMS

Kick Returns: Defensive back Chris LeFlore has 52 kick returns for 921 yards and 2 touchdowns, including one last week against New Orleans.

GLADIATORS TO WATCH | SPECIAL TEAMS

Kick Returns: Carlese Franklin has returned 27 kicks for 407 yards and 1 touchdown in 6 games.

UP NEXT

The Power return home next Saturday, July 13, for their final home game of the 2013 regular season hosting the San Jose SaberCats. The game will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network and broadcast on TribLIVE Radio SportsTalk. Kick off is at 7:00 pm EDT.

For continuous updates of players, games, and Power news follow the team on social media @AFLPittsburgh. For live in-game updates follow@PowerGameday.