Donegeal, the Rock County Gladiator

[Grandpa Troll]

Fergine me plas Donegaaaaul

How ya doing my Brothe ?

Hope your doi ffne!



Just hope yirr budoddy heolds up otay! my fienrd!

1 moer wkeel and muh apoeaterashun Vidoncine is hlpain wut pain rjiug now thoa

Just hopin muf buddy in bwwue is dinong welllll

Pieac to you my gooa man!

Lateeir!

[Donegeal]

Well... tryouts for the second season of the Rock County Gladiators just got over with. Everybody has to tryout. Sure there are some that are automatically on the team, but they still need to run through the stations so they can gage everyone.

Before I go on and embarrass myself with my numbers, let me tell you guy alittle about what has happened in the off season.

We are no longer in the Northern Indiana Football League. This year, we were upgraded to a AAA team (the highest in semi-pro football) and were asked to join the Ironman Football League. This is a AAA league that have been around for over 10 years centered in the Milwaukee area (there is one team in Madison, one in Fon Du Lac and one in Roscoe Illinois, but mostly its around Milwaukee). Last year, as a AA team, we went 3-3 against AAA teams, including 3-2 against IFL teams. At the end of tryouts, Carter, the headcoach, said we were picked to finish either 2nd or 3rd in the IFL this year. Thats pretty damn good for a second year team.

Anyway... on to numbers:

The most cringe-worthy, my 40 time. In my prime, 4.5. Today, being out of shape, fat and about 10 years past my prime, 5.3. Ugh. That's lineman speed. Blech. If we run it again during the season, it WILL be under 5.

20-yard shuttle: 5.1

reps of 225 lbs: 1. You might think that I'd be embarrassed by that, except my strength was never in the upperbody. Max in my prime was only 235, so I'm not embarrassed by this.

Vertical: 25"

Broad jump: 8'

Now the question is, will I make the team? I am fairly certian I will because there is a noticable lack of Fullbacks that were there. Of the two that were actually there for that position, I was far and away better than the other guy, plus I have one year under my belt in this system and not only am I fairly confident that I will make the team, but also that I will be the starter from square one (I might get bumped around when they want two fast pass catchers in there, but base O I'm in ).

Practices begin March 1, and I am looking forward to bethere from the begining this season. I will be in MUCH better shape than last year and I will do much better.

GO GLADIATORS!!!

[Grandpa Troll]

Congrats Donegeal!

Kudos for even going after this goal, indeedy for accomplishing it!

Best of fortunes my friend!

[SlowwHand]

Excellent, bud. The team appreciates a FB. They don't get the glory, but a good FB is kickass.

[Donegeal]

I told you guys I was stepping it up this year!

Getting up close and personal with the Gladiators

Beloit, WI – The Rock County Gladiators became an official member of the Ironman Football League back in early October of last year. With their arrival comes a young and hungry team who is very talented and determined to win a championship. But little is known to fans of the IFL in just who the Gladiators really are. With every new team comes a new story and for all the die hard IFL fans, we here at the Ironman Insider provide just that. Recently, we had the opportunity to catch up with the owner of the Gladiators Carter Linneman to ask him a few questions and to get his take on the new membership and his expectations for the future. Here’s what we found out.

Your team played in the N.I.F.L. last year going 11-0 and eventually won the league championship, all in just your first year of becoming a franchise. What are your goals and expectations for 2008 now that you are a part of the Ironman Football League?

We were happy to have played in the N.I.F.L last year, and winning the championship was just icing on the cake. We came out each game to play, no matter what team we were facing and it payed out in the end.

From what I know about the IFL and from the teams we played last year (Blue Devils, Rush, and Venom), we are not expecting any blowouts or dominations from any team. I see every game coming down to the wire. As for goals for 08, I expect us to be in playoff contention, but what team in the IFL doesn’t. But our main goal is to be the team with the target on their back. The team that everyone want to play for, but not against.

What kind of offense can the fans of the IFL expect from the Gladiators? Do you consider your team a power running team or do you like to air it out most of the time?

Anyone that has seen our team play knows that we are not afraid to put the ball in the air at anytime and push any defense. This year we have added some real depth and size to our backfield so teams shouldn’t always expect the pass.

Who are the Game breakers on your team? Those special kinds of player(s) who you turn to when you need a big play.

We have a couple of game breakers that really broke out last year and we are expecting the same this season. Our QB, Danny Roberts, will not only beat you with his arm, he can outrun most defensive backs. At the WR spots we have two speedsters who we can trust will come down with the ball for either a first down or touchdown, if and when we need it. Those two are Jemar Ayers and Chez Range. Then behind Danny is a tremendous backfield with plenty of size, speed, and talent. Starting off with Preston Parker and Tyler Honeck. And then you got guys like Tobias Tyler and Adam Carlson ready to step in and show you what they have to offer. On the defensive side of the ball we have playmakers all over and it starts with our big guys in the trenches. AJ Albrecht, Issac Welch, Larry Phillips and Trevor Bruegger are gonna be hard to move. All while the Linebacking crew of Deandre Harrell, Tony Goth, Chris Woody, and Scott Stluka will be waiting to play some smash mouth. When teams try to put the ball into the air, that is when our DBs will take over. With Shane Martin, Ben McDonald, and Deejay Spencer coming out to play catch with opposing teams QBs.

What inspired you to join the Ironman Football League?

After looking at all the leagues in the area and what each had to offer, the IFL was the only choice. The IFL has to be the most prestigious league in the Mid-West. We liked how competitive it is no matter what team you are playing. We think it will be a good home for us.

What is your background in semi-pro football and what inspired you to start a team from scratch?

I have played and coached semi-pro football for about 6 years and after looking at all the talent being unused in the Rock County area asked myself why not. After talking it over with a few guys I gave it a shot. It seems to be working ok for us so far.

What’s been the most difficult thing you have or had to do in operating a team?

I would have to say recruitment. But if you get the players with the right attitude and talent, everything else takes care of itself.

When naming your franchise, why did you pick “Gladiators”?

I played for a coach that owned a team called the Gladiators once and it seemed to stick with me. We had a couple of other choices, and we wanted something that meant heart and desire as well as a name that says never give up. That is what a Gladiator is all about.

Your team is in the tough AFC, with the perennial powerhouse Roscoe Rush and the up and coming Burlington Blue Devils and the McHenry County Pirates to name a few, How well do you think your team will fair in Conference play?

Last year we played both the Blue Devils and Rush in pre-season games, so I know that they will definitely bring a team ready to play football. I think we should give any team a hard time when they play us. And we will be coming to each and every game we play to win. I see hard fought games being played in the AFC and cant wait.

A lot of teams have a three year plan or a five year plan, depending on recruiting or the time it takes to coaching their system to their players to gage when their team will win a championship. How long do you personally project that an Iron Bowl Championship is in reach for the Gladiators?

I would have to say that it may take a year or two to make it to the Iron Bowl, but I also believe that we are a team that could be in the contention as well. So don’t be surprised if see us in the Championship in ‘08.

In the off-season, where is your biggest recruiting base located? Do you recruit just in Beloit or do you venture out?

Most of our recruitment this past year was done in Rock County area overall. A lot of our last year players brought in some fantastic players for this season, but after winning a championship in the N.I.F.L last year we got a lot of calls from guys who wanted to play for us. The hardest part that any coach will tell you though is sorting out the real players from the want to be’s. That is where the real recruiting begins.

What teams in the AFC do you see your team establishing a rivalry with?

I see us having a direct rivalry with both Burlington and Roscoe. I feel that all three of our teams will be pushing to be the top seed every year. Plus with the close proximity of all of our teams definitely helps. I honestly believe we may have started this last year in pre-season.

All in all we are glad to be playing in the IFL and cant wait for the season to begin. Because we come in as a new team and have already won a championship, I know that we will have that target already on our back. We like that and will be ready. I know that this is a much harder league than what we played in last season, but we come to play ball and show everyone what the Rock County Gladiators have and to win games.

Preston Parker was the starting RB from last year. Tyler Honeck is a new guy who came in looking to play RB, but he looked like a white man in an Incredible Hulk suit so they moved him to FB. He's a stronger and faster version of me (although not as good as I was when I was his age (he bragged to me that he squats 500 lbs... when I was his age, I did 600.)). I have no problem playing behind either of these guys; I am just so impressed and proud that I even got mentioned.

[Donegeal]

First game was today.

27 Rock County Gladiators
6 West Allis Predators

The score does not reflect how close the game was. At the end of the first half, it was 21-6. They scored on their second drive on a long TD from broken coverage. The rest of the day they struggled to get a first down. The O had 3 TDs called back/out. Two were (barely) caught out of bounds. In both cases the WR beat the DB bad. The third was a pushoff penalty. Kinda a cheap call, but I guess you could call it a good one. In any case, we are just a few practices away from already clicking on all cylinders.

For me, I mostly played Special Teams, but did get a series and a half on O. Sprung a 40 yard TD by our backup HB. Flattened the D end whih gave him the corner.

Go Gladiators!!!

[-Jrabbit]

Still undefeated!

Congrats!

[Donegeal]

Had our last Preseason game yesturday. It was aginsts the Stallions of County Hill, a team from the Cicero area (part of Chicagoland). The Stallions, according to our headcoach, finished ranked 8th nationally in AAA Semi-pro ball (The highest level). They were picked to place 2nd in what is susposed to be a very good league (the Greater Mid-west Football League).

Gladiators 49
Stallions 6

Unlike the first game, this one was closer than the score indicates (but we did beat the tar out of them). Their scoring drive came in th first quarter, and was an actual drive. They played well for that series.

For us, we came out firing on all cylinders. They got the ball first. Ran once to the right for 8 yards landing them second and short. They go to the air... intercepted. O goes out and in three plays scores.

Their second drive is identical to their first. So was ours. Less than five minutes into the game and were up 14-0. They did score on their next drive, and put together a couple of first downs later, but that was it for them.

Our O just couldn't be stopped. We started rotating our second and third stringers in the second quater (and they couldn't be stoped either!).

For me personally, it was a mixed game, but overall a good week. Starting off, I have been made a team captian. Not just for one week, but for the season. The coaches have been impressed by my work ethic, the improvement I have made so far, and my leadership on the sidelines. I'm still not the starter, but I am a team captian.

That's how my week went. At the game, I played special teams MUCH better than I did last week. Watching the DVD from last week, I analysed my running style for ways to get more speed. Well, with these short legs, I take naturally small strides (in the past I made up for it by making them VERY quickly), so I went out there actively thinking about taking longer strides and it made a difference. I was a factor in every kickoff.

When I played O, I did very good blocking, but carring the ball was a different matter. One carry for no yards and a lost fumble. On ST before I went in on O, I was in on the tackle and tweaked my right wrist. Hurt pretty bad and I got it taped up. Problem with that, is that I already have limited range of motion with that wrist from a previous injury and when I got it taped, it reduced it even more. It was a second and short situation on about our 40. Twoyards for the first. I could easily make two yards, but the play called had me carring the ball in my right hand with the bad wrist. I never even got my hand around the ball. Dammit! I haven't fumbled since I started playing football again. Not in game or practice; and it will NOT happen again.

I did redeem myself a little later in the game by flattening some WR who thought they'd try to block me on a ST play. I usually just juke around them, but I as still pissed at my fumble. Poor guy. Good thing it was over by their bench so he didn't have far to go before being able to sit down.

Anyway... long enough post. Our next game is agaist the Roscoe Rush. The team the spanked us last year, 36-6. There are alot of bitter feeling towards eachother because we are both close proximitty to eachother and there is a personel issue with a couple of players that have already resulted in suspensions. It's going to be a tough and close fight.

[-Jrabbit]

Captain Donegeal!!

[Donegeal]

Well, a tough and close fight it was.

OT (six seconds left)
24 Gladiators
30 Rush

Tough and close, just like I said it was going to be. I'm still waiting for the write up on the game to post, so I surmize for you:

First half, we show we are the better team. I think it was pretty obvious to all that our team was better. Halftime score: 17-3.

Halftime... extended version. Tornado warning. One to the North and South of us. Heavy rain and wind. Both teams and all the fans evacuated to the gym of the defunct Beloit Catholic School that our field is on. Takes about a half hour. Back to the game.

We proceed to attempt to shoot ourselves in the foot. They score on their first drive. We return the Kickoff for a TD. 24-10. Over the course of the next quarter and a half, we hand them the game with penalties and tipped passes. OT is a battle. Both sides make drives but fail to capitalize (blocked FG, Fumble, Int). Clocks ticks and ticks and they score with six seconds left in OT on a naked boot to the right.

They said after the game that they don't think ANYONE in the IFL will beat us the rest of the season and they expect to see us in the Playoffs in August.

Personally, I did well. I clobbered three guys in one play (two of them I knocked on their asses). More on this when I see the video.