AFL Preview: Cleveland Gladiators @ Pittsburgh Power

June 4th, 2011
Consol Energy Center - Pittsburgh PA.

Radio: 93.7 The Fan (Pittsburgh), 850 AM (Cleveland)

TV: WPCW-19 (Pittsburgh), AFL Live App

The matchup every AFL fan in Pittsburgh and Cleveland has been waiting for is here.  It's all on the line this Saturday night as the Cleveland Gladiators (6-4) come into Pittsburgh to try and put an end to the Pittsburgh Power (6-4) and their three game winning streak.

Pittsburgh is flying high after a 76-75 shootout win on the road in Dallas.  After failing to break the 60 point barrier all season, Pittsburgh hit their stride offensively against the Vigilantes and easily posted their highest score of the year.  Pittsburgh is on a 3 game winning streak, coming from behind in all of them.  

Cleveland is 2-3 on the road this year and draw another tough road test in a hot Pittsburgh Power squad looking to get back on track defensively after a 76-75 shootout against Dallas.  After a 3-0 start, they’ve looked less than impressive winning only two out of their last 4 games and those two wins were against weak Philadelphia and Milwaukee squads.   Cleveland brings a 14th ranked scoring offense and 2nd ranked defense to Pittsburgh.  

At quarterback, the Gladiator's lost starter John Dutton in the opener, but Kurt Rocco has done a solid job filling in for him.  A tall QB that can see the field well plus he has some scrambling ability.  He has thrown for 1995 yards, 33 TD, 9 interceptions, and on the ground he's got 73 yards rushing and 7 TD's.

Pittsburgh counters with Bernard Morris who is 4-1 as a starter this year.  His only loss was in overtime against Philadelphia in the opener.  He is red hot having thrown for 280 yards and 7 TD's, plus 41 yards and a score on the ground against Dallas.

There are a lot of tall receivers for Cleveland, which could present some matchup problems for the Power secondary.  Lonnell DeWalt will counteract that though from the jack linebacker position.

Troy Bergeron is a former AFL Rookie of the Year (2005) and a 2nd team All arena receiver (2007). 

Has great size at 6’2” and is getting looks from several NFL teams.  He has 727 yards and 19 TD’s so far on the year.  The problem is that he's been invisible for the last three weeks, with 3 catches for 24 yards and a score in all three games combined.  He didn't even show up in the box score last week against Arizona.

Robert Redd had a huge game against a depleted Philly secondary 2 weeks ago, busting off 113 yards and four scores but otherwise he’s only served a complimentary role for Cleveland

Thyron Lewis was the Gladiators' best receiving threat against Arizona, catching 13 passes for 157 and 2 scores.  

Dominick Goodman has scored a touchdown in three straight games for Cleveland and should find the endzone at some point in this contest.

For Pittsburgh, Mike "Joystick" Washington has been shredding opposing secondaries, going off on Dallas for 180 yards and five total touchdowns.  This was after torching San Jose for 120 yards and four scores.  He has definitely emerged as the favorite target for Bernard Morris.  

Jason Willis is doing his part to stay in the mix at the top of the depth chart.  He's got six touchdowns over the last  three games, none bigger than the game winner against San Jose.  He's a guy the Power can count on in the clutch.

DJ Hall was placed on injured reserve, and the uncertainty at the third receiver position continues.  Jerome Mathis, a former all-pro kick returner could finally be healthy and get a chance at the role.  If not it would either be Lonnell DeWalt playing ironman football, or perhaps another free agent signing.

Josh Rue finally got back on the scoreboard this past week with two scores against the Vigilantes, and the Power should keep giving him the ball at the goal line.

I think the Power defense will have something to prove after giving up 75 points last week, and to be honest, I don’t think Rocco is better than some of the QB’s Pittsburgh has already faced this year.  Aaron Garcia, Brett Elliott, Mark Grieb, Kyle Rowley, Dan Raudabaugh are all better gunslingers. 

The biggest keys will be whether the Power defense can keep a low scoring Gladiators offense down where they belong, and whether Pittsburgh can keep up this surge against a strong Gladiator defense.

I do believe Pittsburgh's got the better offense, and I think the defenses are both solid, so that gives the edge overall to Pittsburgh. 

Even though Cleveland has only given up over 60 points just once this year, something tells me the Power defense and special teams are going to find a way to make plays for scores to blow open an otherwise competitive game.

THE VOICE SAYS....Pittsburgh 63, Cleveland 48