CLEVELAND – With 12,200 in attendance for Cavaliers night at the Q, the Cleveland Gladiators fell to the LA Kiss 47-42 in a very close until the last minute battle.
Cleveland looked very solid on their opening drive to get down to the LA one yard line and what looked like it would be an early lead was spoiled by Rayshaun Kizer when QB Dennis Havrilla threw a interception to Kizer and he ran it back for the pick 6.
A bit of controversy came up when Kiss Rory Nixon was stopped short of a first down on fourth and one but was overturned to give LA the yards. Coach Steve Thonn was upset because the replay showed Nixon’s knee was down before he reached over the first down marker on his second effort.
A sack and delay of game penalty eventually led to a turnover on downs and gave Cleveland back the ball which led to a 9 yard TD from Havrilla to Collin Taylor to tie the game.
Donovan Morgan had a very productive first half as he scored one receiving and one rushing touchdowns with 41 yards. Collin Taylor came up big and was a reason the Gladiators stayed in this game with two touchdowns and 83 yards.
The Cleveland defense, even with some very impressive hits and drives ended for the Kiss, couldn’t get the stops when they needed to.
Tipped balls and passes going right through our defender’s hands was ultimately what cost them the game. Lack of turnovers and critical stops.
With defensive star Joe Powell scratched for the game, it didn’t have that play making ability that Powell could bring to the table and change the game.
Havrilla was solid in his second start. 24-39 236 yards with 5 TD’s and 2 Int. Taylor posted 101 yards with 3 touchdowns.
LA’s Nathan Stanley was 20-35 191 yards 4 TD’s and 1 int. D.J. Stephens had a break out game with 109 yards and 2 TD’s.
Cleveland, now 1-2, head to Philadelphia next week to look for revenge against the Soul who manhandled them in the season opener
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