Predators Beat Gladiators 59-56

(photo credit: Orlando Predators/Twitter)

In a classic Arena Football battle, the Orlando Predators defeated the Cleveland Gladiators 59-56 at the Amway Center in Orlando. 

After an explosion of offense, and lack of defense the action started to pick up in the fourth quarter. 

With 3:38 left in the in the game the score remained tied at 49-49. Orlando took possession, and looked to orchestrate a drive to kill time off the clock. 

Quarterback Randy Hippeard connected with Greg Carr on a screen pass to bring Orlando down to inside the red-zone. 

Taking the clock down to the one minute warning the Predators took possession of the ball on the one-yard line. Fullback John Martinez punched the ball in for a touchdown to give Orlando the lead with :45 seconds left to play. 

Coach Rob Keefe decided to gamble and called an onside kick, but Orlando failed to recover the ball on the kick off. The Gladiators took control off the ball with :43 seconds left in the game. 

Cleveland quarterback Arvell Nelson connected with Larry Beavers on a four yard pass to tie the game with :25 seconds remaining in the game, 56-56.

With only :13 seconds remaining in the contest receiver Greg Carr caught a pass from a Hippeard to set up a field goal opportunity for Predators. 

Kicker Mark Lewis nailed the game winning field goal from 25 yards out to give Orlando the victory. 

This was a crucial win for Orlando (9-2) to remain tied with Philadelphia for first place in the American Conference. 

Orlando will play travel to play in-state rival the Jacksonville Sharks on Saturday, June 18 at 7 p.m. With the loss, Cleveland moves into second place behind Arizona in the National Conference. The Gladiators (5-6) will travel to Portland to take on the Steel next Saturday at 10 p.m.