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Miami Lakes, Fl
May 5, 2012
The
Orlando Rage (12-1) completed their quest Saturday night as they took on the
Bradenton Gladiators (12-1) in "Alliance Bowl V" the championship game of the
Florida Football Alliance.
This trip to the Bowl marked the Rage's third in their three years in the FFA
and the Gladiators' first since becoming a charter member of the FFA in 2008.
The
match-up pitted the League's number one offense against the League's number one
defense. The Rage came into the game boasting almost 40 points per game,
averaging 497 yards total offense per game- 258 rushing and 259 passing, and
League-leaders QB Kyle Israel (141.1 Pass Eff. Rating) and RB Levi Raines (1272 yards
rushing).
The
Gladiators defense gave up only 77 points in the regular season averaging 7.7
points per game and the leading two tacklers in the league in Darian Platt and
Chris Hall.
The
Rage took the opening drive down to the Gladiators' 24 yard-line where it stalled
forcing the Rage to kick a field goal by All Star PK Michael Whitfield.
The Gladiators answered the Rage Field Goal with one of their own by PK Philip
Chaltis. Rage 3, Glad's 3.
The
two teams then matched touchdowns with an Israel to WR Preston McGann pass of 35
yards then the ensuing kick return by Craig Carnes. Rage 10, Glad's 10.
Later in the second quarter the Gladiators took the lead on a 37 yard touchdown
pass from veteran QB Nick Kirby to WR Jeff Charleton making the score 17 to 10.
Faced with just seconds left on the clock in the first half and fourth down
Israel connected with Bowl MVP, Nakeem Pittman for a score leaving the score
tied at half time, 17 to 17.
The
third quarter featured defense as the Rage could only muster another field goal
by PK Whitfield and the Glad's scored a touchdown. Glad's 24, Rage 20 at the end
of three quarters.
The
Rage 2012 season consisted of five "fourth quarter comebacks" including rallying
to score 16 points in less than two minutes to defeat the Daytona Beach Wildcats
to advance to the Alliance Bowl. This game proved to be yet another.
Down by four points with less than five minutes left in regulation the
Israel-Pittman connection struck again on a 20 yard touchdown pass. The drive
featured Rage RB Levi Raines (17 carr. 102 yds) doing the lion's share of the
work grinding out yard to set up the score. Rage 27, Glad's 24.
With the Gladiators trying to mount the comeback Rage DB Tyler Heintz
intercepted a Kirby pass setting up a spectacular 33 yard run by Rage FB Edwin
Valentine. The two-point conversion by Raines brought the score to 35 to 24.
Finally, with little time left on the clock the Rage sealed the Gladiators' fate
when DE Justin Komodoreas stripped the football from the Gladiators' ball
carrier and recovered the fumble. The Gladiators then scored as time expired.
Final score, Rage 35, Gladiators 30.
"It
seems that 'fourth quarter comebacks' are just our thing" commented Rage Vice
President Randy Horn of the victory.
Adding to the notion, Rage President, Christopher Morrison suggested "We were
down by 20 [points] in [Alliance Bowl 3] 2010, and came back to win. It was
somewhat of a luxury to be down by only four for change."
Commenting after the game, Rage Head Coach Ron Scarlata said "Tonight was the
culmination of hard work; not by a bunch of guys thrown together, but by a
family. We took care of business as a family. Not one man stood above another
and every person contributed for a team win."
Thanks go out to Rage fans for your support in another league championship!
The
Rage will enjoy much needed down time before deciding on how to proceed in 2013.
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