Post by DiamondThief on May 13, 2016 21:17:52 GMT -8
Portland Steel at Cleveland Gladiators
What: The Steel make their way to Cleveland to battle the Gladiators.
When: Monday, May 9 at 5 p.m. (PT).
Where: Quicken Loans Arena; Cleveland, Ohio.
Regional Media: Radio - 750 The Game (AM).
National Media: TV - Univision. Stream - ESPN3/WatchESPN.
This season: June 18 - Gladiators at Steel.
Series History: Regular Season - Gladiators lead series 1-0 (1-0 at home).
Note: Due to changes in the AFL schedule, this is the fifth of seven straight home games for the Steel.
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HELPFUL LINKS
Arena Football League Schedule and Results 2016
Portland Steel Schedule 2016
Portland Steel Season Preview 2016
SUMMARY
The Steel are in 0-5, 0-4 on the road and 0-3 in inter-conference play. They are coming off a 66-27 road loss to the Los Angeles KISS on May 9. They are averaging 31.6 points per game and are allowing 67.4 points per game. The Steel are fourth in the National Conference.
The Gladiators are 2-4 overall, 2-3 at home and 0-1 in inter-conference play. They are coming off a 41-40 home win over the Jacksonville Sharks on May 7. They are averaging 45.2 points per game and are allowing 54.7 points per game. The Gladiators are third in the National Conference.
BREAKDOWN
First Downs per game - Steel 17.4; Gladiators 17.5
Yards per Game - Steel 253.4; Gladiators 261.0
3rd Down Conversion - Steel 36%; Gladiators 47%
4th Down Conversion - Steel 45%; Gladiators 50%
Total Tackles - Steel 91; Gladiators 173
Tackles for Loss - Steel 9; Gladiators 5
Total Sacks - Steel 6; Gladiators 3
Fum Rec - Steel 2; Gladiators 1
Interceptions - Steel 1; Gladiators 7
Had Intercepted - Steel 11; Gladiators 12
Note that the Steel have played five games, while the Gladiators have played six.
PORTLAND STEEL
Steel OL Brandon Sesay (photo courtesy Portland Steel via twitter)
ROSTER
# - name (pos)
1 - Darron Thomas (QB)
2 - Arness Ikner (DB)
3 - Rashaad Carter (WR)
4 - Mike McMillan (DB)
5 - Tom Gilson (WR)
6 - Jared Perry (WR)
8 - Terrence Mitchell (DB)
9 - Sergio Gilliam (DB)
10 - Shane Austin (QB)
11 - Dexter Davis (JLB)
12 - Tyrone Goard (WR)
13 - Christian Wise (DB)
17 - Ernesto Lacayo (K)
20 - Bryce Peila (DB)
21 - Tim Shelley (DB)
23 - Reggie Wilson (DE)
59 - Viseisio Salt Jr. (OL)
36 - Bryson Kelly (NG)
64 - Jarien Moreland (OL)
66 - Deveric Gallington (FB)
72 - Duke Robinson (OL)
77 - Kevin Myers (C)
79 - John Collins (C)
91 - Brandon Sesay (DE)
99 - Robert Hayes (MLB)
Ron James - Head Coach
Will Mulder - Defensive Coordinator
Anthony Payton - Offensive Coordinator
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Yards - *Danny Southwick 742
Passing TDs - *Danny Southwick 13
Passing Ints - Darron Thomas/*Danny Southwick 5
Rushing Yards - Tom Gilson 15
Rushing TDs - *Bryson Kelly 2
Receptions - Tom Gilson 42
Receiving Yards - Jared Perry 394
Receiving TDs - Tom Gilson/Jared Perry 6
Tackles - Mike McMillan 18.5
Sacks - Robert Hayes/Brandon Sesay 2
Interceptions - Mike McMillan 1
KO Return Ave. - Terrence Mitchell 15.8
KO Return TDs - Terrence Mitchell 1
* Not on active roster
Note: Roster information is subject to change and is presented here as a basic guide for following the game. Roster information is gathered from the AFL's official website, which is not updated on a consistent basis. Updates will be provided here as soon as they become available.
CLEVELAND GLADIATORS
Gladiators WR/KR Larry Beavers. (photo courtesy ClevelandGladiators.com)
ROSTER
# - name (pos)
1 - Brandon Stephens (DB)
2 - Arvell Nelson (QB/LB)
3 - Demarcus Robinson (DB)
4 - Marvin Ross (DB)
10 - Larry Beavers (WR)
11 - Abe Koroma (DL)
15 - Stephen Panasuk (QB)
16 - Dominick Goodman (WR)
17 - Collin Taylor (WR)
18 - Quentin Sims (WR)
19 - Adrian Trevino (K)
20 - Joe Phinisee (DB)
21 - Joe Powell (DB)
22 - Collin Keoshian (Def)
24 - Jamiue Bender (DB)
42 - Meshak Williams (DL)
44 - Phillip-Keith Manley (OL)
66 - Jesse Somsel (OL)
69 - D.J. Brandel (OL)
74 - Joe Madsen (C)
78 - Chris Jasperse (OL)
93 - Curtis Young (DE)
96 - Randy Collins (NG)
Steve Thonn - Head Coach
Ron Selesky - Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
Mike Smith - Line Coach
Dominic Jones - Defensive Backs Coach
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Yards - Arvell Nelson 669
Passing TDs - Arvell Nelson 11
Passing Ints - Arvell Nelson 4
Rushing Yards - Arvell Nelson 51
Rushing TDs - Arvell Nelson 3
Receptions - Collin Taylor 44
Receiving Yards - Collin Taylor 524
Receiving TDs - Collin Taylor 13
Tackles - Brandon Stephens 28.5
Sacks - Collin Keoshian 2
Interceptions - Joe Powell 4
KO Return Ave. - Larry Beavers 18.8
KO Return TDs - Larry Beavers 1
* Not on active roster
Note: Roster information is subject to change and is presented here as a basic guide for following the game. Roster information is gathered from the AFL's official website, which is not updated on a consistent basis. Updates will be provided here as soon as they become available.
ANGI'S TAKES
STEEL
Over the past three weeks, the Steel have completely overhauled the quarterback position; bringing back Darron Thomas (essentially) in time for last week's game against the Los Angeles KISS. Thomas showed plenty of rust in the 39-point loss; completing 25 of his 49 attempts for 259 yards and 3 touchdowns. The problem is, he also tossed 5 interceptions. As the season progresses, one would think the former Oregon Duck would have the opportunity to find his groove. On Friday the team recalled Shane Austin off the Other League Exempt list. Austin, who spent the past two years under center for the Gladiators, had originally signed with the Steel in November and had begun training camp with the team. He was expected to be the QB for the team before attending a workout with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. If Austin gets the start for the Steel, he will become the fourth starter in six games for the Steel. Tom Gilson still proves to be a solid weapon for the Steel, grabbing 10 passes for 78 yards and a pair of touchdowns in last week's loss to the KISS. He has 42 grabs for 393 yards and 6 touchdowns on the season. Jared Perry has emerged as the secondary target for Steel quarterbacks, having caught 33 balls for 394 yards and 6 touchdowns of his own. Tyrone Goard is emerging as a threat, recording 19 catches for 165 yards and 4 touchdowns. Rashaad Carter also is likely to see some action in this game. Terrence Mitchell has turned into a bright spot for the Steel on special teams, recording the Steel's first interception return for a touchdown last week. Mitchell became the third player in Portland history to return a kickoff for a score (Jamar Howard, Duane Brooks). Defensive back Mike McMillan recorded the first interception of the season by the Thunder's defense last week and has emerged as the top defensive back for the team. Brandon Sesay and Robert Hayes each added a sack to their stat page last week, while making life difficult for the KISS' Nathan Stanley last week. It sounds cliche, but the Steel will need to cut down on turnovers and penalties if they are to have a change of downing the Gladiators. Player to Watch: Darron Thomas (QB). Wild Card: Jared Perry (WR).
GLADIATORS
Prior to the season, many anticipated that Cleveland would be in contention for the second spot in the National Conference (those same many predicted Arizona would run away with the conference title). As of May 15, the Gladiators are two-and-a-games back of the Rattlers and one behind the Los Angeles KISS. It is not the start the team had expected. There already has been a change at QB, as former Spokane Shock signal caller Arvell Nelson has taken the reigns from Dennis Havrilla. Nelson is a dual-threat player, adept at both running. He leads the team in all major passing categories, as well as rushing yards and touchdowns on the ground. down 19 points with 2:45 left in the fourth quarter last week, Nelson manufactured three straight touchdown drives as the Gladiators pulled out the 41-40 win at home. He finished the game 17 of 30 for 221 yards, 3 passing scores and 3 scores on the ground. It was Nelson's first win as a starter with the Gladiators. Collin Taylor is clearly the top target in the passing game, having hauled in 44 passes for 524 yards and 13 touchdowns. He had 101 of those yards, along with 2 touchdowns, in last week's win. Quentin Simms and Dominick Goodman figure to play significant roles in the passing game. Larry Beavers is the man who can do it all. He is one of the best kickoff return men in the game, and can show up on offense when needed. The Gladiators average 22 yards per game on the ground, but they also have scored 10 rushing touchdowns on the season. Most of that have come from the quarterback position, but the Steel defense needs to keep an eye on any Cleveland player coming out of the backfield. Joe Powell has returned three of his four interceptions for touchdowns this season and has 21.5 tackles to along with that. Brandon Stephens leads the team with with 28.5 tackles, while Demarcus Robinson has contributed 26.5 of his own. Marvin Ross has both an interception and a fumble recovery to his credit this season. The Gladiators can put some serious distance between themselves and the Steel with a win. It could be a prime opportunity for success, or a prime opportunity for failure. Player to Watch: Arvell Nelson (QB). Wild Card: Larry Beavers (WR/KR).
SCtoC STATISTICAL PROJECTED FINAL
Gladiators 56, Steel 43
QUOTABLE
Steel head coach/general manager Ron James
“There are some things we’ve got to work on with the entire offense. We have to be a lot more productive.”
James on the loss to the KISS
“We threw too many interceptions, were very sloppy with the football, had turnovers in the red zone … you name it. There were some instances when we were moving the ball effectively and made a couple of good plays and gave ourselves an opportunity early in the game to climb back in it. But you can’t give the other team points in this game.”
Steel DL Brandon Sesay
“There’s always room for improvement. We all really want to work. We’ve got to keep putting all the pieces together. It’s all about the next week. We try to look at the positive and build on that.”
FEATURED SOCIAL MEDIA
AFL GAMES THIS WEEK
May 13 - Orlando Predators (H) 42, Tampa Bay Storm 40
May 14 - Philadelphia Soul (H) 65, Arizona Rattlers 58
Byes - Jacksonville Sharks; Los Angeles KISS
* Updated May 15, 2016, 12:00 a.m.
NOTE
Despite many early predictions that the Arizona Rattlers would be the team to beat in the Arena Football League this year, the Orlando Predators would seem to be making a strong case for themselves. The Preds are the only undefeated team in the league at 7-0 and already have a win over the Rattlers under their belts. The Ratters fell to 5-2 with their loss to the Philadelphia Soul on May 14 (Note: updated 5/15/16, 12 a.m.).
(Graphic courtesy SCtoC/AFL)
EXTRA
Portland and Cleveland have faced each other just once in AFL action. It turned into a Gladiators win on July 5, 2014. Shane Austin was the Gladiators' quarterback in the game and will likely face his former team for the first time. Portland, then known as the Thunder, had narrowed their deficit to 48-40 with 7:00 left in the fourth quarter on a 3-yard pass from Kyle Rowley to Douglas McNeil III. Austin engineered two touchdown drives in the final five minutes to seal the win for the Gladiators. Austin completed 16 of 23 passes for 221 yards, 6 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in the game.
Shane Austin and Gladiators HC Steve Thonn. (photo courtesy Joshua Gunter/Cleavland Plain Dealer)
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