Predators Stumble, Toliver Fumbles, Gladiators Move On
Will Burge
Tuesday July 1, 2008
The 13,896 fans rejoiced as the verdict was delivered. The coach’s challenge ended in an upheld fumble call which all but sealed the 69-66 Gladiators’ victory. T.T. Toliver, one of the most dynamic receivers in the AFL, was the goat and the Gladiators were the victors.
Cleveland held a 62-60 lead with under one minute to go but Orlando was inside the Cleveland ten yard line. Shane Stafford, who finished with 30 completions on 40 attempts for 376 yards and eight touchdowns, dropped back and hit Toliver on a delayed wheel route. The Gladiator defender fell to the ground and the only thing in between T. T. and the lead was a whole lot of empty space. Apparently that was enough because Toliver tripped on the turf, fumbled, and the rest is history.
Toliver’s fantastic second half performance will be overshadowed by the blunder that cost his team the game. After only one reception in the first half he finished with 185 yards on 11 catches for 4 touchdowns. He returned a kickoff for a touchdown as well.
Once again the Gladiators’ offense shined bright. Even though it looked as though the Predators got the better of them in the first half they still did their customary lighting up the scoreboard and doling out the Big Mac’s (Cleveland fans receive a free Big Mac when the Gladiators score 50 or more points). Raymond Philyaw, the Gladiators’ franchise cornerstone and quarterback, threw for the second most yards in AFL playoff history. He was 29-48 for 436 yards and 8 touchdowns.
“I’m not satisfied. I want to celebrate but I’m not. I’ve been here before and I know how it goes. This is not the regular season. It’s time to keep moving,” said a determined Raymond Philyaw.
The Predators did a decent job containing Cleveland’s number one threat, Otis Amey, who was “held” to 119 yards on 7 catches. Unfortunately for Orlando, the Gladiators’ offense is far too prolific to stop all together. Robert Redd went off, accumulating a franchise record 204 yards on 14 catches for 4 touchdowns.
“That’s kind of their scheme. When Otis went in motion he was kind of getting hit at the line of scrimmage or else they were playing cover two, so we couldn’t get anything vertical. Ray (Philyaw) does a good job of recognizing it and getting it into the other guys hands,” Coach Mike Wilpolt explained.
The defense really was the lynch pin of the victory though.
“They say offense fills seats and defense wins championships. I just want to take my hat off to my defense, they played phenomenal,” said Karon Riley the defensive end of the Cleveland Gladiators.
Brandon Hefflin had two interceptions and the key fumble recovery late in the game. Stafford had constant pressure in his face which was a key contributor to the Cleveland victory.
“It feels great man. I go out each week and try to create turnovers and get the ball back for the offense,” Brandon Hefflin responded when asked how this defensive effort felt.
This wasn’t the prettiest of AFL playoff games but Cleveland will take it.
When asked about the win Coach Wilpolt responded, “All wins are good but this is a little special because it was a Monday night game here in Cleveland, the first playoff game in Cleveland. It was a special game just because of the situation.”
Mistakes were expected from the young Cleveland squad who is in the postseason in only their first year, but Orlando has made seventeen straight playoff appearances and looked just as disoriented as Cleveland.
“We played hard tonight, we played for sixty minutes. We did have some mistakes but we caused them to make some mistakes also,” Coach Wilpolt said of the sloppy play.
The Gladiators had an odd way about themselves after the game. It was a celebratory mood but not one of satisfaction. They seem to be a team who now believes that they can and will beat anyone in their way.
When asked how many more weeks we will be able to watch them this season Riley responded, “How many more weeks are the playoffs?” The reporter said three or four with a smile. Riley quipped, “Then that’s how many we have,” with an even bigger smile.
