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Glads' season ends in Barrie

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The Sudbury Gladiators were a team full of confidence heading into their Ontario Football Conference playoff opener against the Huronia Stallions.

That confidence quickly disappeared, however, during a disastrous first half at Barrie Community Sports Complex on Saturday.

"The first quarter and a half was close," Gladiators head coach Reg Bonin said, "Then, we had couple breakdowns and we lost all our confidence, then we unravelled."

The Stallions (6-2, second place in the Mike Ramsay Conference) were a strong opponent for the Gladiators (5-2-1, third), and they did defeat the Gladiators 45-1 four weeks ago. But Bonin said the Gladiators hurt themselves more than anything in the 37-13 loss, which eliminated Sudbury from the playoffs.

The Stallions got on the scoreboard first in the opening quarter after returning an interception to the Gladiators' one-yard line, then punching their way into the end zone.

The Gladiators answered back on the next series, when Hunter Holub connected with August Danyluk to cap off an eight-minute long, 14-play drive – Sudbury's longest this season.

At the end of the first quarter, the game was tied 7-7.

The Stallions opened the second quarter with a touchdown, and on the very next kickoff, a bouncing football went off the hands of the Gladiators' kickoff returner, and trickled out of bounds at their five-yard line.

It went from bad to worse for the Gladiators from then on.

"We were able to get a couple first downs, but then our punter ran a fake because I gave the wrong sign," Bonin said. "I wanted a punt, but I gave the wrong sign."

Because of the miscue, the Gladiators gave the Stallions quality field position, and the Stallions made them pay with another TD.

The home team added a field goal late in the quarter, closing out the first half with a 24-7 lead.

In the second half, after the Stallions scored two more touchdowns, while the Gladiators' Austin Kirkey replied off an 80-yard run late in the fourth quarter.

"We had a series of breakdowns," Bonin said. "I thought (our players) came in before the game and they looked sharp, looked focus. It was one of those (games when) I really think giving up 14 points was too much to overcome."

"Offensively and defensively, they played well, but we struggled most as a team.”

Bonin said his players should be proud of what they accomplished this year.

"It's disappointing to lose, but one thing you can't overlook is the guys had a good season," Bonin said. "I think we achieved a lot more than what a lot of people thought we'd be able to do."

The Gladiators and Junior Gladiators will have their season-end awards banquet at the Sudbury Curling Club on Aug. 13.

Twitter: @keith_dempsey

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