Predators Stay Perfect With Win in Cleveland

(photo credit: Orlando Predators/Twitter)

The Gladiators offense only ran five plays in the first quarter but that was enough to lead 21-20 after the first 15 minutes. They also hit a new high in scoring after hitting 50 last week in Philly and hitting 56 on Friday night. Dominick Goodman returned after missing last week and scored late in the second quarter. Collin Taylor scored three times. Taylor has now scored at least one touchdown in 21 straight games. 

Arvell Nelson, a Cleveland native became the third QB to start for the Gladiators in just five games. This is Nelson's third AFL team after two different runs with the Spokane Shock and one season in Pittsburgh as a member of the Power. Nelson played well until the middle of the third, where he threw an interception into the endzone that was picked off by Paul Stephens. Cleveland was up 49-48 at that point, but only scored another touchdown from that point on resulting in a 56-76 loss to the unbeaten Predators. 

Nelson went 25 of 37 for 332 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. It's the most touchdowns he has thrown in a game in his AFL career. Next most was last season's first round National Conference game against the Arizona Rattlers, which he lost. 

Quentin Sims, another new face, provided a nice spark his first catch of the game went for 28 yards. Sims collected 68 yards and two touchdowns on just four catches. 

Next week, Cleveland faces the Jacksonville Sharks, who are 1-3 at the moment but, with last week's OT loss to the unbeated and truly the best team in the league Arizona Rattlers,  Cleveland is well aware it will take a strong effort just to have a shot late in next week's game.