Gladiators fall to 0-2 with loss to the Argos by Randy Pascal, SudburySports.Com
It's an interesting dilemna for Gladiators' head coach Brent Richer - how exactly to convince his herd of football combattants that the opening kickoff is really the beginning of the second half. If he's successful, watch out OFC opponents - the Sudbury Gladiators are dynamite over the final two quarters.
Unfortunately, it's the first thirty minutes that has spelled trouble for the local varsity football squad as they fell behind 29-5 on Saturday, eventually dropping a 44-29 decision to the Toronto Jr Argonauts and seeing their record fall to 0-2. Two weeks into the 2009 campaign, the Gladiators have been outscored 44-7 in the opening half, turning the tables to the tune of 35-14 in the second half.
"We just didn't get off the bus", lamented coach Richer Sunday afternoon. If there is a silver lining (and Richer believes there are several), it's that bus legs will not be an issue into the middle of July as the Gladiators welcome a stretch of five straight home games at Queen's Athletic Field. The contest could not have started much worse for the northern lads as the second play from scrimmage sees quarterback Andrew Kirkwood throw his only interception of the game, returned to the Sudbury five where the Argos find the end zone with relative ease.
The ensuing kickoff is gathered by Sudbury speedster Joey Martellacci, who makes his way out to the fifty before having the ball stripped from his arms. Midway through the first quarter, Sudbury has spotted Toronto a fourteen point edge. "The defense got put into a bad spot" noted Richer, adding that while injuries also compounded the challenge on that side of the ball, it certainly did not completely excuse the 44-point outburst by the opposition.
Still, a game one injury to stalwart defensive end Brock Lamarre combined with three of the Gladiators' starters in the secondary on the sidelines versus Toronto made it difficult for players inserted into less than familiar roles. The end result was a Toronto passing attack that lit up the Sudbury defense with some regularity, especially before half time.
Ever the optimist, Richer points out that the second half rally would find the Gladiators scoring majors on three straight possessions as Martellacci, Mike Drabit and Jacob May all reached the end zone. The offensive outburst was led on the ground by Drabit (12 carries - 108 yards) and Martellacci (8 carries - 84 years) and through the air by Kirkwood, who bounced back from an opening half that saw him complete just one pass to end the game with a respectable 8/18 - 92 yards - 1 TD, 1 INT performance.
His favourite target on the day remained May as the 6'5" Confederation Secondary product hauled in three passes for 52 yards. "The real positive thing is that our offense gets it now", said Richer. Add in the constant special team threat of Martellacci, who added another 160 yards or so to his return total and Richer remains hopeful that with road games against the league finalists of one year ago now out of the way, brighter days remain ahead for the Gladiators.
While the final score does not appear particularly close, Richer explained that the encounter was called with 4:01 remaining on the game clock as lightning threatened at Eugene Melnyk Field. "We could have put one more in" said the former Sudbury Spartan as the game was called with the home side preparing to punt and the visitors have scored on three straight possessions.
Kicker Marco Armiento added a pair of field goals to the Sudbury attack, splitting the uprights from approximately 35 and 40 yards out. The Gladiators begin their extended home stand next Saturday at 4:00 p.m., with the Hamilton Wentworth Panthers (0-1) paying a visit to the Nickel City.
May 29, 2009
Gladiators battle opponent and clock by Bruce Heidman, The Sudbury Star
The Sudbury Gladiators will be on their toes this weekend.
The Gladiators play their second game of the Ontario Football Conference season when they travel to Toronto to face the Jr. Argonauts on Saturday afternoon.
The locals felt rushed by the short play clock during their season-opening 19-11 loss to defending champion Burlington Stampeders last Saturday, but they vow to be ready in Toronto.
"It was a lesson learned for the coaching staff," head coach Brent Richer said.
"It was a quick game with that 20-second clock between plays, so you have to move fast and think even faster. But we did all right for our first game. We went down to face the defending champs and lost by a touchdown. They only scored once, the rest were field goals."
"It's three-down football and there's such a short time between plays, it's non-stop action," added Gladiators running back Joey Martelacci.
"You have to be in tip-top shape and if you're not you fail. I think we're in good enough shape to compete and run with the clock and I think if we can get a little spark going this weekend we can come out with the win."
Indeed, there was no lack of confidence around the Gladiators practice field Wednesday night, though it was far from cocky.
"There is a positive in staying with the champs, the team everyone expects to be there again this year," Martelacci said.
"We didn't have our best game, but we still stayed right with them so that gives us something to be positive about."
"There's lots to build on from last weekend," Richer said. "Our defence shut them out in the second half and defensively we had a very solid game, though we need to work on stopping the pass a bit.
"On offence, timing was an issue," he added. "We stuttered a lot, but offence never comes as fast as defence."
Richer is looking for a big effort from his big guys up front.
"Our offensive line has to step up a bit," he said.
"I thought we got manhandled by their defensive line. To be successful against an athletic Toronto team we have to move our feet and keep them moving."
Outside linebacker/safety Brett Hamilton said having a game under their belts after not having the benefit of playing a preseason game like much of the rest of the league will greatly benefit the Gladiators.
"We were still shaking off rust in the first half last Saturday and we need to think and make decisions quicker on the go, but we were getting better at that already by the end of last game," he said.
"We can't always have our coaches calling the plays and we have to think for ourselves sometimes and recognize different offensive formations and recognize the tendencies and be ready. We have to be more physical, too."
Hamilton said the game in Burlington was a lost opportunity.
"It was good to shut them out in the second half, but at the same time if we wouldn't have allowed all those points in the first half we probably could have won," he said.
"But in the first half we were sloppy. We stopped the run well -- they only had one first down on a run in the second half -- but we have to be better against the pass."
A better start will be key against Toronto.
"We have to get off with more fire under us," Martelacci said. "Last week, we came out flat. For a lot of the guys, it was their first time playing junior ball and guys are bigger, faster and stronger. But I think we got a sniff of what to expect now and we can build on that.
"We have to be sharper, but we're a little more pumped up and we know what to expect from this opponent, so we are more secure and confident about going into this game," he added.
It is another tough opponent this weekend, however. Toronto was in the league final against Burlington last year. However, Richer is eager to measure his team against the best right away.
"It's nice to play the top two teams from last year off the bat to see where we are," he said.
"Right now, we feel fantastic. We never coach to lose a game, but when you lose by only a touchdown to the champs, it makes us eager to play Toronto this weekend."
Martelacci said Saturday's game -- the last road game ahead of a five-game home stand -- is a crucial one already.
"It's important to win this weekend," he said.
"The first two games are out of town and its important to get that road split before we begin five straight games at home. I think we'd be satisfied with that."
The players are ready, however.
"I can't wait to go to Toronto," Hamilton said.
"We can't lose two games in a row to start the season, so we're pumped and ready."
May 17, 2009
Blue-Grey game provides more clues for Gladiators by Randy Pascal, SudburySports.Com
In an effort to provide a more consistent approach to offering coverage for the wide variety of sports that are highlighted on SudburySports.com, we've decided to include a new feature. Weekly and bi-weekly divisional or league updates will offer a wide array of statistical tidbits, roster updates, tournament results for participating teams. Football will be featured every Monday - next update is May 25th
It was as close as the Sudbury Gladiators would get before the real thing. A Blue/Grey scrimmage Friday night at St Charles College provided head coach Brent Richer and company a good, solid look at the pros and cons of the local Ontario Football Conference varsity team without the benefit of an exhibition schedule.
And with the regular season opener awaiting the locals in just over a week's time, Gladiators staff was looking to glean as much information as possible from the intra-squad matchup that provided points for everything ranging from first downs to sacks. "We were very, very pleased with our front seven on defense as far as their run stop capabilities and pash rush abilities", noted Richer a couple of days removed from the workout.
"On the offensive side of the football, we were pleased with the reads that the quarterbacks were making" said the former Sudbury Spartan, adding that pivots Andrew Kirkwood and Travis Campbell both called their own plays through the final quarter of action. Richer has confirmed that he will look to Kirkwood, a few years older than Campbell and already benefitting from one year of Gladiators football to start under centre when Sudbury battles the Burlington Stampeders next Sunday at McMaster Stadium.
Although the roster won't be finalized completely until early this week, Richer does not seem overly concerned about an offense that will, in all likelihood, showcase the combined talents of Joey Martellacci, Jacob May, Jordyn Andric, Mike Drabit, Josh Haslam, Mark Randa and others. In fact, Richer already knows where he plans to focus the efforts of the staff with just four practice sessions remaining before the 2009 curtain-raiser.
"Number one priority is special teams - with three down football, it can make up more than a third of your game", states Richer. "After watching the game film from Friday, our next thing we need to tackle right away when we're not doing special teams is tackling in our secondary", a point made evident on at least of couple of occasions as Martellacci and Drabit scampered for huge gains.
"Finally, a good push from our offensive line off the ball" stressed Richer, all the while acknowledging that the almost 90 minutes of straight play would have caused some fatigue. "Even earlier in the game, we saw them a little tentative, just trying to grasp the blocking assignments based on what they were seeing."
With the move to a ten game schedule this year, the depth of the Gladiators' roster is sure to come into question as injuries take their toll over the course of the season. Already, starting centre Mitch Chartrand appears to be lost for the summer with an LCL injury. Then, a second scare for the offensive line crew as Sandy Bissett went down on an innocent-looking passing play, clutching his right knee.
Turns out, thankfully, to be merely a hyper-extended knee, with Bissett expected to miss about one week of practice, remaining something of a game-time decision for Richer come next weekend. Mike Gatien and Jordyn Andric were also kept out of the scrimmage, moreso for precautionary reasons, with both expected back in practice some time this week.
In 2008, the Sudbury crew opened the season at 0-3, a stretch that included a 38-7 home field loss to eventual league champion Burlington Stampeders. The team rebounded to win their next five, finishing third before losing a semi-final battle with the Toronto Jr Argonauts, 41-29 on the road. While Richer fully expects the Stampeders to provide very strong competition, the truth is that he knows very little about exactly what to expect from his first opponent.
"Anybody who knows me at all knows that I'm just so into it as far as detail and scouting and watching film and breaking it down", said Richer. "Not knowing is just driving me crazy. The one thing that will never change is that they only have two options on offense - they can only run or pass the ball. They haven't re-invented the game. Tackling doesn't change, coverage doesn't change - knowing their offensive and defensive packages would be great, a wonderful asset to us in preparing for the weekend."
"But DBs still have to cover, D-line still has to get pressure, O-line still has to block and quarterbacks still have to make the read" laughs Richer, adding that with a schedule that calls for a pair of games against each of the five remaining teams, the opener is sure to provide a learning experience. It's one class these students can't wait to get started.
May 15, 2009
Gladiators preparing to march By Bruce Heidman, The Sudbury Star
The Sudbury Gladiators will dip into Sudbury's football history tonight as the junior squad resurrects an old tradition while making final preparations for its fast-approaching season opener.
The Gladiators will take a page from the old Sudbury Spartans' playbook when they play the team's first annual Blue and White Game tonight at St. Charles College field at 7 p. m.
"It's something Sid (Forster) used to do for the Spartans all the time," Gladiators head coach Brent Richer said, referring to the legendary gridiron boss and Canadian Football Hall of Fame member.
"I think it was the blue and silver game back then, but it's a tradition we'd like to bring back and continue."
After weeks of practise, the Blue and White game is designed to give the coaches a look at their charges at game speed and in game situations. The offence will dress in white and the defence in blue and it will be run just like a game, with points awarded for first downs for the offence or sacks for the defence, as an example.
The game offers much more than some competition for the players.
"We'll film it and go over the film before the first game of the year," Richer said. "We'll also have some refs so the kids know what a penalty is. There's a lot of us coaching, but we don't see the holdings and stuff like a ref will and it makes it more like a game situation. "
Tonight's intra-squad match will also determine who is on the field for the season-opening plays.
"This game is about finding starters, too," Richer said.
"Everyone will play and get an opportunity to fight for that starting spot. The nice thing is it will be like a game and kids are excited and can finally take everything we have taught them and use it in a game-like situation. It's not hard to look good in a drill, but what do you look like on the field when everyone is battling?"
It will also be a chance for the players to get used to some different rules.
"This is different than high school ball," Richer said. "We have 23 new players and we want them understand the one-yard neutral zone and get used to the time clock because it is only 25 seconds between plays."
It's also another chance to teach. "We still have another week of practice
and we want to know what we have to work on or what plays are working and what isn't," Richer said. "We'll get to see how our tackling and reads are, and the great thing is when we're done we can show it to the kids and see where the mistakes are and show them how to change it and show them what they do right."
With no exhibition play prior to the season opener against the defending league champion Burlington Stampeders at McMaster Stadium on May 24, the Blue and White Game is crucial.
"There is only so much we can do in a practice without an exhibition game because there is no one else here in the North to play against," Richer said. "Burlington already had an exhibition game against Hamilton last weekend, so we know they're ready.
The Gladiators' roster is down to 45 players, with one more cut to go. The Blue and White Game will likely determine the final cut.
"We have two overagers left and we have to cut one of them," said Richer, who declined to name the players, except to say they are defenders.
"Both are playing the same right now and we're hoping the Blue and White Game gives us that last nudge. It's very difficult. We've already picked five of six overagers we can have, but these two keep one-upping each other in practice and making it hard for us."
Richer is hoping to have a better handle on his team following tonight's contest.
"We are skilled, I'll say that. Wow. Our skill positions are very skilled, exactly what they are supposed to be."
The players are ready to play for real, however. "We're starting to see them get chippy and lippy in practice, which means its time to start hitting someone else," Richer said with a laugh.
May 6, 2009
Craking the roster By Chris Gagnon, The Sudbury Star
Rain, mud, bruises and gashes are deterrents for most people, but for young football players trying to crack the Sudbury Gladiators roster, it's what they live for.
Newcomers to the Gladiators have already caught the eyes of the coaching staff. They are raising their game to new levels on a day-to-day basis, putting them in the mix for starting roles.
"Every player that has come out here that's new and wasn't in the program last year is legitimately fighting for a starting position," Gladiators head coach Brent Richer said. "We're not just saying that so the kids feel good. It has been a one-up kind of practice (every day). A kid makes a one-handed catch, then the other kid does it behind his back, you know? "They just keep coming and one-upping each other."
Richer and Gladiators GM Chris Bartolucci attended high schools and talked with young players earlier this year to give them an idea of what they want to see.
The coaches expressed they wanted the kids to give it everything they have and not hold back.
"Bart (Bartolucci) and I , when we did the high schools, we said 'don't be scared to take a chance, it's the first week. Come out and show us what you can do,' " Richer said.
"They're very confident in their ability and it really shows," Bartolucci added. "There's nobody out there who's tentative."
Bartolucci said he is impressed with what he has seen so far during the indoor sessions of the pre-season.
He has coached in the past, leading the St. Charles College Cardinals to several city championships and was a part of the Sudbury Spartans. But coaching in this situation with this team has him excited.
He's happy because from what he sees, he's going to have a good team when it's all put together.
Bartolucci and Richer said they already have an idea of what positions are going to showcase the best battles for starting spots.
On the defensive end, the defensive line is crowded with 12 hopefuls who are trying to play their way into one of four starting spots.
"There have been some excellent battles on the defensive line," Richer said. "We have 12 guys, so they're fighting for four spots. Those guys are battling very (hard) on the defensive side."
On the offensive side of the ball, there are two positions expected to bring out the competitive fire from the players.
"I think the battles will be for wide receiver and the back positions," Bartolucci said. "There's so much talent, it's going to be very difficult to pick a starter.
"They all stand out at any given time, so it's tough."
CHALLENGES
The receiving core offers plenty of challenges for the coaches as the contrast in skill between wide receivers is far from night and day. All receivers who are trying out play at high level.
"Let's put it this way, every receiver we have here right now is an all-star in high school," Richer said of the receiving core's skill.
The staff has not only been impressed with the quality of fundamentals, but the players' drive and work ethic.
"They're putting it out there every day, and I'll tell you, for my first experience (with the Gladiators) I'm very impressed with what I see," Bartolucci said of his first thoughts of the team.
"I'm happy. These guys work hard."
The grind of set ting up practice, running drills and deciding who stays and who goes can be taxing on a coaching squad.
However, with the group of young hopefuls the Gladiators staff has seen, it's a blast being a coach.
"It's fun to come to practice," Richer said.
May 5, 2009
Gladiators prepare for Season Number Two by Randy Pascal – www.sudburysports.com
Months of preparation paid off for head coach Brent Richer and staff as more than fifty aspiring football players strolled on to the turf at the Sudbury Indoor Soccer Centre for the first day of practice. The 2009 Sudbury Gladiators season was set to commence and Richer, for one, could not be more ecstatic.
"We have a good nucleous here, day after day. They're encouraging, they're pushing each other - it's been nice", said Richer after just two days of practices. More than anything else, the participation in the program of players from virtually every high-school in the city (that currently has a high-school football team) stands out as one watches over the workouts.
If the requirement is that almost all of the top end football talent in the city must buy-in for the Gladiators to have a chance of ranking among the OFC elite, then this club is close. "We've seen some very good things from players on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, ironically quite a few in the overager group" notes Richer, addressing one of the tougher jobs that lie ahead.
With the OFC Varsity division open to players born between 1990 and 1992, the league allows teams to carry a maximum of six overage players born in 1989. The Sudbury Gladiators have had as many as 13 players who fit the bill, age-wise, looking to crack the roster.
It's a luxury seldom seen (recently) in a city more reknown for a willingness to simply accept the next vertically-standing body on to teams that were desperate for numbers. And it's a double-edged sword. Richer and company know all too well that they will be parting ways with a very disapointed and extremely talented group of players when push comes to shove some time in the next week or so.
"They (the overagers) came into camp prepared, and we're very happy to see that", adds Richer. With a season opening game set for Sunday, May 24th against the defending champion Burlington Stampeders, the team needs to kick practice sessions into high gear in a hurry, a fact not lost on the first year coach.
"I've already given the initiative to coaches that all players should know the basic, base patterns on both offense and defense for this week. Right after stretches, we'll get into what I call "lightning", which is a quick round. Then right to a no-huddle, first team up the field, second team down the field."
"That way, we can get very used to the offense and defense and being able to make adjustments on the fly", stressed Richer. "Heading into week three (May 12th -15th), we'll add in all our adjustments." Although Richer is pleased with the turnout, he admits that there will always be a handful of dispointments, players that decide for a whole variety of reasons not to pursue summer football at this time.
SDSSA football MVP Brett Walter of Lo-Ellen jumps right off the page, falling into that category - although Richer suggests that he and his staff were fully aware of the tug-of-war Walter would face in choosing between football and volleyball, both sports at which he excels.
In addition to the bulk of the local high-school talent, Richer was pleased to welcome back the likes of Mike Drabit, Zach Azzola, Jordyn Andric and Marco Armiento over the past 7-10 days. Drabit returns from Thunder Bay after leading the team in rushing last summer, while both Andric and Azzola look to use the experience of a fall spent with the Acadia Axemen to help move the Gladiators program forward.
Playing in the OFC for the first time last summer, Sudbury posted a record of 4-4 before falling 41-29 to the Toronto Jr Argonauts in semi-final play. This summer finds the schedule expanded to ten games as the six-team loop introduces a complete round robin home and home schedule.
Gridiron Gab: Along with the excitement of a new season of OFC football comes the anticipation of local talent moving on to the post-secondary ranks, and we caught up with a pair of players with decisions to make. St Benedict star Joey Martellacci has confirmed that he will be attending the University of Western Ontario come the fall, hooking up with the rich tradition of Mustangs football.
"It was really between Western and Queen's", said Martellacci after practice last week. "I talked to the coaches from both teams and it came down to choosing Western based on the program first - it's the bio-med in pharma-toxicology." Along with possessing a jaw-dropping array of physical attributes, Martellacci also happens to be an outstanding student, fully aware that a career in professional football is not at all likely to be his calling card ten years from now.
While course selection became something of a swing factor for Martellacci, the same could not be said for the aesthetic appeal of both schools. "Campus wise, they're both really nice - Kingston (Queen's) is right on the lake and London (Western) is a bit bigger city - they both have their pros and cons."
Despite all the noteworthy accomplishments Martellacci has achieved on the football fields of the Nickel City, he remains quite aware of the varied experiences encountered by many of his predecessors once they made the move to a much larger venue.
"For first year, I don't expect too much - they have a really solid guy in the backfield. He's a year older and he's the fastest kid in Ontario. But I expect next year just to get some experience, hopefully getting into the game a little more and by the end of year four, being one of the go-to guys on the team", outlined the two-time winner of the (Chris) Bartolucci Offensive Player of the Year award.
While Martellacci need not worry about the uncertainties of the fall, the same cannot yet be said for offensive lineman and Bears' teammate Austin Roy. "I've got a variety of schools looking at me in Ontario and a few in the States", noted Roy recently.
With a few options at his disposal, Roy agrees with Martellacci that the fit with a particular academic program will be key, although other factors will weigh in to his decision. "It's really about going to where you feel comfortable - with the coaching, with the team - where you're going to fit in. That's a big factor for me."
"It's not necessary that it's a winning program - getting playing time is probably more important for me. I'm looking for coaching that can take me from where I am now and mold me into a better player", says Roy. The multi-sport talent was writing his SAT's this past weekend along with a handful of other student-athletes and expects to make a final decision within 4-6 weeks.
The Gladiators open the 2009 campaign with a pair of road games before playing five straight at home, starting on June 6th at Queen's Athletic Field when the Hamilton Wentworth Panthers are in town.
May 1, 2009
Tryouts mark Gladiators' long march By CHRIS GAGNON, The Sudbury Star
The coaching staff of the Sudbury Gladiators football team is champing at the bit to get the 2009 season underway.
However, one thing they could do without is the tough decisions that lie ahead.
The Gladiators finished off their initial training camp yesterday at the indoor soccer centre at the Exhibition Centre. The indoor training camp was a four-day event to give the coaches an idea of the players' fundamentals this early in the season. Decisions won't be made in regards to the roster until the players are on the field in full equipment
"This is more (about) skill," Gladiators head coach Brent Richer said. "This is where we get to see guys' hands and their footwork because they're not in equipment and there's no bumping. It's kind of hard to determine (at this point)."
Decisions may not be made this early in the pre-season, but when the time comes, the decisions aren't going to be easy. The biggest of those decisions is choosing the six overage players the team is allowed to carry.
Some players battling for one of those six spots include last season's rushing leader, Mike Drabit, running back Marco Armiento, quarterback Andrew Kirkwood, who passed for 981 yards last season, and receiver Jordyn Andric, who made 20 catches for 483 yards last season.
"This will be a very, very difficult decision for this coaching staff to make," Gladiators general manager Chris Bartolucci said.
"The talent that we're going to have to let go is tremendous."
This season, the Ontario Football Conference birth year bracket is 1990-92. Players who were born in 1989 are considered overage players.
Richer said the league has made it clear that once rosters are submitted with six overage players, then those six are the only overagers the team can retain. The team must hold those six for the entire season and cannot substitute them for any reason.
"When you pick your six, that's it for the whole year," he said. "You could go to the playoffs with none because they're all injured."
The Gladiators have the unfortunate luxury of having 13 talented overagers. These 13 are also catching the staff's eye.
"At the end of every practice, when we talk and ask, 'who impressed you?' It's always overagers," Bartolucci said of the staff's dilemma.
"We have 13 overagers who impress us. We have one week left to go to get these underagers down to the required number and we're just beside ourselves figuring out how the hell we're going to do this."
"It's to the point where we divorce it from each other until the next day," Richer added.
"You're going to talk yourself in a circle. Sleep on it, come back, we'll talk about it tomorrow."
This discussion is not something new to the staff, nor did this situation come as a surprise. Coaches have been meeting long before this training camp to discuss the overage situation.
"We did this before the season," Bartolucci said as Richer moaned at the memory.
"We sat down for four hours at my place with a depth chart. We were sitting there going 'holy geez.' "
The Sudbury Gladiators will dip into Sudbury's football history tonight as the junior squad resurrects an old tradition while making final preparations for its fast-approaching season opener.
Rain, mud, bruises and gashes are deterrents for most people, but for young football players trying to crack the Sudbury Gladiators roster, it's what they live for.