04/16 GLADIATORS @ AVALANCHE

Great Falls Gladiators-55, Big Sky Avalanche-0
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Boulder, Montana- Jefferson High School Field

 

The Great Falls Gladiators, led by Shane Jurasek, jumped out to a 43-point advantage before halftime and cruised past the Big Sky Avalanche 55-0 on Saturday afternoon at Jefferson High School.

Less than four minutes into the game, Jurasek connected with WR Corbin Newbary for 18 yards for the first score of the game.  The drive took just three plays and left the Avalanche defense on their heels.  The following Gladiator drive would find the endzone in 8 plays resulting in a Jurasek touchdown pass to WR Marshane Haynes from 7 yards out.

 

The Gladiator defense contributed to the performance, as they pitched four-straight three-and-outs before forcing a turnover that would result in more points.  

 

On the third offensive drive for the Gladiators, Jurasek found Newbary from 4 yards out on a 7 play drive highlighted by Haynes’ 27-yard reception that was stopped short of the end zone by Avalanche S Eric Olaso.

Newbary was no stranger to the endzone on the day.  On the Gladiator’s following drive on offense, Jurasek found Newbary again for his third score of the day.  The 10-yard pass and catch added to the Great Falls lead.  The next Gladiator drive commenced as a result of an Avalanche miscue.  Five plays later, the Gladiators found the end zone on a punishing 12-yard run by Richard Downing.

 

The final score of the half was completed by yet another Jurasek to Newbary connection for the 10-yard touchdown.  This five play scoring drive was highlighted by a run of 32- and 10-yards by Antney Rhanes to place the Gladiators in scoring position.  Trevor England’s PAT put the Gladiators ahead 43-0 at halftime.

Great Falls received the opening kickoff in the second half, which then resulted in more points for the Gladiators.  The drive was set-up by a 39-yard return by Newbary and took just four plays to reach the endzone, as Jurasek found a different target in RB Matthew Kennerson for the 36-yard score.

 

After the defensive stop that forced another three-and-out for the Avalanche offense, the Gladiators went back to work.  Kennerson took the hand-off up the middle for a 1-yard gain and on the next play Jurasek scanned the field for a brief moment to find a wide-open Haynes, who jolted 77-yards for the final Gladiator score.

Gladiator QB Shane Jurasek finished the game 19-of-22 for 305 yards and 7 touchdowns, which is a new personal best.  Jurasek also scrambled three times for 37 yards, including a 21-yard gain that would achieve a Gladiator first down on third and long.  WR Corbin Newbary caught 9 passes for 87 yards and 4 receiving touchdowns.  WR Marshane Haynes caught 7 passes for 188 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns, as most of which came on his 77-yard touchdown reception in the middle of the 3rd quarter.  RB/WR Antney Rhanes also had an impact performance with 2 carries for 42 yards, 3 catches for 25 yards as well as 2 tackles and a forced fumble as a member of the defensive secondary.

 

The Gladiator defense also led the performance against the Avalanche offense, as they allowed just 28 total yards of offense and one first down that was achieved by a 15-yard horse-collar penalty.  Gladiator LBs Buckie Brawley and Spencer Steiner led the defensive performance with 5 tackles apiece.  CB Reynard Dunn also contributed with 2 tackles and an interception on Avalanche QB Brandon McBride.

 

Avalanche RB David Weinmeister contributed in the offensive and defensive efforts with 13 rushing yards and 4.5 tackles.  LB Weslee Kidd led all defensive personnel in tackles, as he finished with 7.5 followed closely by David Nelson’s 6 tackles.

 

Next week, the Great Falls Gladiators will host their home opener against the Flathead Monsters at Memorial Stadium in Great Falls, MT at 7pm.  The Big Sky Avalanche will host their final home game of the season against the Billings Xtreme at Jefferson High School in Boulder, MT at 6pm.

 

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