Gladiators hang on for dramatic home victory over Sugar Skulls
RIO RANCHO, N.M. — The Davis connection between Nate Davis and Dello Davis was key to the Duke City Gladiators last season. But with star quarterback Nate Davis out on a knee injury this season, the connection has a new name – Ramone Atkins. Atkins, a first-year professional indoor football quarterback, connected with Dello Davis for 15 catches and four touchdowns for a 57-52 victory over the Tucson Sugar Skulls on Saturday evening in front of a crowd of roughly 3,100 at Rio Rancho Events Center.
“Ramone made key passes for us last night,” said Gladiators’ owner Gina Prieskorn-Thomas. “He has recreated the Davis-to-Davis connection and added his own special touch to it. His performance has greatly improved since he signed on with the team just a few short weeks ago. It feels great to get the victory over the Sugar Skulls.”
The Gladiators started the game on fire leading after the first quarter 14-0. At halftime, the Gladiators lead 28-20. The Sugar Skulls were able to take its first lead of the game in the fourth quarter 49-42 after an Atkins fumble, but two plays later the score was tied on an Atkins pass to wide receiver Jarod Elmore — the duo connected again with less than a minute left in the game to give the Gladiators its second victory of the season.
With the Sugar Skulls ahead 52-49 with less than a minute to go, Gladiator defensive back Roderick Chapman returned a failed Sugar Skulls deuce attempt into Tucson territory from deep inside the endzone.
“Roderick’s return was another big play for the Gladiators,” Prieskorn-Thomas said. “He got us where we needed to be.”
To keep the momentum going while managing the clock, Atkins connected with Dello Davis to get the men in teal to the 11-yard-line. On a Gladiators fourth-down and with 18 seconds remaining, Atkins connected with Dello Davis at the four-yard line. With 15-seconds remaining in the game, Atkins throws one right up the middle to a wide-open Elmore to get a game-winning Gladiators touchdown. A tipped field goal kick by Cody Barber was unsuccessful for the Gladiators. A bad snap by the Sugar Skulls in the closing seconds ended Tuscon’s chance to tie the game.
“Since last season our games against Tucson have all ended in dramatic fashion,” Prieskorn-Thomas said. “It feels great to not be on the heartbreak side. Now, we just need to continue this momentum as we hit the road.”
The Gladiators head on the road for several weeks. They return to the Rio Rancho Events Center May 28 for a matchup against the San Diego Strike Force.