NY Defense End Impressive Gladiator Performance
Marc Viquez
Sunday July 1, 2001
“They were all set to come up and upset us,” said Dragons’ coach John Gregory. The upset was on for most of the game as Bankhead matched wits with New York QB Aaron Garcia. Garcia would get the better of both Bankhead and Maynor as the Dragon QB tossed seven touchdowns in the New York victory.
Things didn’t look good for the Gladiators, who were trailing 28-13 with less than a minute to go in the first half. OS Coco Blalock scored on a quick pass from Bankhead, and Corey Dowden scored six more a second later on the ensuing kickoff when he snapped up a live ball off the net to cut the New York lead to just two points.
“If we didn’t score those touchdowns it would have been tough going in [halftime],” said Bankhead. New Jersey was able to keep themselves in the game with proficient passing from Bankhead, along with a hint of slyness that has been missing this season.
At the beginning of the second half, New Jersey got the jump, scoring first. They then attempted an onsides kick that failed, but definitely tricked a stunned New York team. The team went on to complete two fourth down conversions, including a Bankhead to Blalock touchdown strike for 22-yards in the third quarter.
The magic was over by the third quarter, though, when Bankhead came out for Maynor. The New York defense thwarted any attempts of a Gladiators’ comeback, sacking the ArenaBowl XIV Champion QB twice and allowing just one completion in ten attempts.
New Jersey coach Lary Kuharich said they were simply mauled. “They took over and beat us, but we went nose to nose with them. We were in a position that could have gone either way, but at some point in time they just beat us up front. Then they beat and hurt our quarterback and won,” said Kuharich.
Gregory said that his teams’ defense smelled blood, as Robert Stewart recorded four sacks in one game. “Our defense has been coming in a little bit at a time and I think we relied on defense,” said Gregory.
New Jersey failed to put up any points in the final quarter and were a different team once Bankhead was knocked out when his shoulder popped out after a hit. “I told them that I could stay in, but he [Kuharich] said that I looked too banged up and that he was going with Connell,” said Bankhead.
“Todd is an excellent quarterback. He is a great guy, very smart and he was a great spark for us. He lead us like a quarterback should and I think he is going to very successful in this league,” said Blalock about the rookie player. Blalock also put on a show with 9 receptions for 130-yards and 2-TD’s and kicker Steve Videtich connected on three long field goal attempts, including one from 48-yards.
Bankhead, in just his second start, put up some impressive numbers of 18-31 for 198 yards and 2-touchdowns. New York coach Gregory also commented on the performance of Bankhead: “I thought he did a good job for the short period of time he’s been a player in Arena Football. Arena Football is very tough and he made some good reads and some good throws.”
The Gladiators played well for the second game in a row, but came up empty once again, falling to 1-10 on the season. New York’s menacing defense in the third and the inability to stop Aaron Garcia from throwing touchdown after touchdown spelled doom. The team is starting to gel a little bit better and have given fans reason to stay until the end of the game.
Next Sunday is fan appreciation day and maybe, just maybe, the fans will be treated to a victory. As for now it is good to see some bite and brawn in a team that in the past has looked as alive as a vacant Bradlee’s parking lot in New Jersey.
A fan of the sport since 1990 Marc has covered both the New Jersey Gladiators and Cincinnati Swarm (Af2) for Arenafan Online. Marc now resides in Indianapolis after graduating with a Masters in Sports Management from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Ind. When not at a Firebirds game Marc can be found traveling the Midwest covering sports for various Internet and print publications.
