Gladiators Lose League Title to Orlando Rage

The Bradenton Gladiators went up against the Orlando Rage to fight for the Florida Football Alliance League Championship title in Bowl V on Saturday. In a well-matched game, the Rage won the title with a 35-30 victory.

The Rage scored first with a field goal in the first quarter, but the Gladiators answered with a 30-yard field goal by kicker Phillip Chaltis to tie the game 3-3.

Both teams continued to light up the score board with a Rage touchdown, followed by a 90-yard punt return touchdown by Bradenton's Craig Carnes, taking the score to 10-10.

It was the Gladiators' turn to score again when Jeff Charlton caught a pass from quarterback Nicholas Kirby. But the Rage evened up the score again with a touchdown of their own, ending the half at 17-17.

After an electricity issue that cut out the lights for about 20 minutes, the third quarter got under way, and the Rage put up another 3 points with a field goal. But Gladiator Chauncey Jones rushed in a 1-yard touchdown.

The Rage moved ahead with another touchdown and a 2-point conversion, bringing the score to 35-24. Bonshavior Bean took in a touchdown, closing the game with a 35-30 loss for the Gladiators.

The season's ender, which put the Gladiators' record at 12-1, was celebrated with an awards banquet, with the Florida Football Alliance League's defensive MVP award going to Darian Platt and offensive MVP to Chauncey Jones.