AFL Preview: Gladiators Look to Even 2016 Mark Tonight Vs Tampa Bay

Last week wasn’t the start that coach Steve Thonn and the Cleveland Gladiators we hoping for with a rough loss to the Philadelphia Soul 69-41.

Quaterback Chris Dieker struggled in his first start of the season, completing only 19 of his 35 pass attempts for only 196 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions.

The Soul’s defense virtually shut down all of the Gladiators receivers and knocked Dieker around and even out of the pocket where he had to try and make a play. As hard as that loss was, the best thing about sports is that you always have next week to redeem yourselves.

“That film doesn’t lie” Thonn said. “Everyone really just had to be accountable for what they did.”

He quickly is shrugging off this loss to Philadelphia and is already looking forward to facing the Tampa Bay Storm tonight at The Q. “It is a long season, we’ve got a lot of games to go but there has to be a little bit, since we did not play well, that sense of urgency.”

The Storm dropped their season opener as well to the Orlando Predators 76-25.

They scored the lowest point total last week in the league. The Gladiators have a pretty solid track record against the storm as of late. In 2014, Cleveland swept Tampa Bay and posted a 2-1 record in 2015 with a 1-1 record at home.

There is no doubt in my mind that Cleveland can bounce back in a big way and calm the Storm. Look for rookie DB Joe Powell to have another big showing after his seven tackles and two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns last week.

Chris is nursing a sore knee but should be good to go for the match up. Tampa Bay ended up using two QB’s in their first game but still couldn’t produce the points needed to cut that giant lead that Orlando had built.

Cleveland should keep their eye on Storm third year wideout Gerald Young who posted six catches for 81 yards and a score. He is difficult to cover and could be a real test for that young Gladiator defense