A Breakdown of the Gladiators' Six-Game Road Trip

(photo credit: clevelandgladiators.com)

For the better part of the next six weeks, the Gladiators will play all of their games on the road - three in a row, then a league wide bye, then three more on the road. The last week of the regular season, Cleveland will be resting at home so almost two full weeks off and hosting a playoff game could happen, and if the season ended today they would. Still, there is a lot of football left to play.

What does that add up to? A total of 18, 338 miles traveled counting the return trip, or an average of 3,056 miles per round trip. Being two games behind the Arizona Rattlers and one game left against each other also it seems unlikely that Cleveland will chase them down, but they do hold the last home playoff spot being fourth overall.

So let's breakdown the six road games a little.

6/11: at Orlando Predators

Massey Sim: Cleveland 54, Orlando 66

Given that it's up in the air if Preds QB Randy Hippeard will start or not, it's hard to judge this game. Orlando has played to their competition a lot, so Cleveland could steal one here.

6/18: at Portland Steel

Massey Sim: Cleveland 58, Portland 55

When these two teams met earlier in the season, the Steel overcame at 20-point deficit to force overtime. The Gladiators would out the win anyway. Both teams have gotten better since then, and with the Steel coming off an easy win vs the Storm last week, it will be another week to judge before this one. The combo of Shane Austin and Tyrone Goard is setting up nicely. The trip opens long but a 2-0 start does not seem impossible.

6/25: at Jacksonville Sharks

Massey Sim: Cleveland 50, Jacksonville 61

Last time these two teams met, the Gladiators gave fans a mild surprise knocking the Sharks off at The Q, overcoming a 33-14 deficit to win by a final score of 41-40. The Sharks got hot last year, making it to Arena Bowl XXVIII after a 1-5 start, with a talented set of wideouts, the all-time leading rusher in Derrick Ross, and quarterback Tommy Grady leading the way this score seems likely making the first two games extra important.

7/9: at Philadelphia Soul

Massey Sim: Cleveland 45, Philadelphia 64

Given that the Soul lost the last game in Cleveland and after jumping on the Glads early in the season opener, but allowing Cleveland to score the first two touchdowns in the second half makes me wonder here. To be fair, the Soul looked really strong in their one home game vs Cleveland.

Philly also has a solid group to go deep with and quarterback Dan Raudabaugh seems to be finding a way to move the ball around very well. The Miami (OH) product is throwing well over seven times more scores than picks. This will be a hard one to win for sure.

7/16: at Los Angeles KISS

Massey Sim: Cleveland 41, Los Angeles 49

Another game with a question mark at quarterback could be at hand in this Week 16 matchup so Cleveland should be able to battle this one and it may very well be for the last spot in the top four.

7/24: at Arizona Rattlers

Massey Sim: Cleveland 52, Arizona 69

The Rattlers have already hit their rough spot in the season and the combo of quarterback Nick Davila and wide receiver Rod Windsor is hot again. This will be a tough one for sure.

Overall, Cleveland has a good shot at getting a home playoff game, but it's going to be tough.