TAUNTON — In a rematch of last years title game the defending EFL champs successfully defended their crown on Saturday night, beating the Worcester Mass Fury (2-1), 14-6, at Foxboro High School. Taunton (2-0) relied heavily on defense as well as a solid rushing attack to control the game and keep the high powered Fury offense off the field.
From the opening possession the game Taunton's defense dictated that the game would be played by their rules. The Gladiators combined for 2 interceptions, six sacks, two fumble recoveries and a Defensive score. Worcester was held in check as Nick Rossi, Steve Brandon, Mac McLagan, Maurice McNeil and John Gordon combined for 20 total tackles and 5 sacks. A John Gordon strip sack that he returned for a Gladiator Score would seal the game for Taunton.
If the Fury skill players were lucky to make it by the Gladiators Defensive line, Linebackers Chris Brandon, Moise Edourd and Tommy Gomperts were there to stop them in their tracks. The trio of newcomers continue to light up the stat sheets as they combined for 22 tackles and 1 sack on the night. With Greg Peschel returning to the line up as well, this looks to be a special group to watch as the season continues.
The “NO FLY ZONE” in Foxboro continued as CK Miles added 2 interceptions (3) and five tackles. Miles, Weaver, Wilkie Lovelace and the Gladiators secondary combined to hold the Fury to under 100 yards through the air. Offensively the Gladiators' ground game was dominant in controlling the clock and methodically moving down the field. Drew Bolton, Dewayne Gordon, Jeremie Chumack and Alex Dixon combined for 175 yards on the ground. Jeremie Chumack had 69 yards on 16 carries while Gordon rushed 44 yards on 5 carries 1 TD, Dixon and Bolton finished with 21 yards on 4 carries and 37 yards on 6 carries respectively.
The Gladiators travel to Bridgewater State University to take on the Bay State Bucs this Friday July 27th @ 8:00 PM in an EFL Friday Night Lights Special.
READY FOR FOOTBALL! Foxboro Jaycees and The Eastern Football League are bringing summer semi-pro football to Foxborough. Saturday July 21 7:00 P.M. – Worcester MassFury will play the Taunton Gladiators at Sam Berns Field Foxboro
The Foxboro Jaycees and The Eastern Football League are bringing summer semi-pro football to Foxborough.
Saturday, July 21 the Worcester MassFury will play the Taunton Gladiators in a rematch of last season’s championship. Taunton won that match-up so Worcester will be looking to even the score.
Gates open at 6pm with Kickoff at 7 at the Sam Berns Community Field, 120 South Street, Foxborough MA 02035 (at Foxborough High School).
Admission is only $10 for Adults, $5 for Seniors and Military.
Foxborough residents and all kids 12 and under are FREE.
Bring your own chairs, concessions will be available.
The Jaycees are also raffling off 2 tickets to the August 24th Kenny Chesney Concert at Gilllete; raffle tickets are $10 each and benefit the community development works of the Jaycees. The drawing will be held at the Jaycee free concert August 2nd.
For more information visit the Foxboro Jaycees website at http://www.foxborojaycees.org
or the Eastern Football league website at http://www.easternfootballleague.net
The Taunton Gladiators Semi-Pro Football team is an adult amateur football team based out of Taunton, MA. We are members of the Eastern Football League and compete annually during the summer-fall months. The team is comprised of former high school, college and pro athletes that live in the area and all continue to play for the love of the game. Led by Head Coach Dave Rodrigues, the Gladiators enter their 10th year as an organization. In that time frame, the Gladiators have made nine playoff appearances and seven championship appearances winning the league title in 2010, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Mass Fury are now reloading as they get ready to return to the EFL Championship game and reclaim their EFL Title. The Fury have compiled a 49-11 record over the past 4 season, advancing to the semifinals in 2011 & 15, Championship Game in 2012, 2013 & 2017 and winning the Championship in 2014. In 2014 & 2015 the Fury were Invited to Deland, FL were the Fury won the 2014 USFA East Coast Championship vs. the Arbutus Big Red of Baltimore and the 2015 NFE National Championship vs the West Michigan Force and also claim the Northeast Championship with a 30-20 Win over the Troy Fighting Irish in November of 2015.
Credit: Foxboro Jaycees
QUINCY — The defending Eastern Football League Semi-Pro Football Champion Taunton Gladiators kicked off the 2018 campaign with a 12-6 win over the Quincy Militia at North Quincy High School.
With a new year, new look and new Quarterback the Quincy Militia looked to kick off the 2018 season with strong opening drive against the reigning champs. After a stalling on their first 3 plays from scrimmage a muffed punt gave the Militia life deep in Taunton territory. With a new life and a new set of downs, Quincy’s offense led by Will Rondo took to the air. Rondo and Quincy’s air attack converted a 4th and long to keep the drive a live and a 3rd and long for the Militias first TD of the year for a 7-0 lead. Unphased Taunton received the kickoff and quickly countered with balanced offensive attack. Matt Letourneau connected with Brandon Holt for a first down before a personal foul penalty put Taunton in the Redzone. 2 plays later Letourneau and Grant connected in the corner of the endzone for a 15 yard strike, Taunton’s first score of the year. The ensuing PAT was blocked by Quincy and the score stood 7-6 Militia until the half. From there, defense was the name of the game as the Gladiators and Militia were relentless in creating turnovers and big play after big play. In the end Taunton’s defense proved to be too much for the much improved Quincy Militia. With 7 mins left in the game Nick Rossi picked off a Will Rondo screen pass and returned it to the Militia 20 yard line. From there the Gladiator’s offensive line and running game went to work chewing up nearly 5 mins of clock ending the drive with a 3 yard Chumack Touchdown to take a 12-7 lead. After a decent return by Leon Barnes to the Gladiator 50, the Militia offense and Rondo 2 minute drill hopes were ended by a CKay Miles interception the would put the game away.
Jermie Chumack led Taunton’s offense and ground game with 100 yards on 18 carries and the game winning touchdown, the 99th of his career. Quarterback Matthew Letourneau threw for 75 yards on 9-of-15 passing and 1 touchdown, Steve Cirelli led the receiving core for the Gladiators with five receptions for 34 yards and Marcus Grant hauled in a beautiful toe tap touchdown in the corner of the endzone for Tauntons first score of the year. The Gladiators offense ended a lackluster performance scoring 12 points on 195 yards of total offense.
The defense was led by the Stephen Brandon, Mac Maclagan, John Gordon and Nick Rossi the defensive line combined for 20 tackles, two sacks, and an pivotal 4th quarter interception that set up the game winning drive. First year linebackers Thomas Gomperts, Moise Edouard and Chris Brandon chipped in with 10 tackles, to hold the dangerous Quincy run game to 42 rushing yards. Brandon Lovelace Shaq Wilkie, Marquis Weaver and CKay Miles shut down the passing game allowing only 26 yards through the air. Miles and Lovelace each recorded key interceptions in the win. The Gladiators defense ended the day allowing 7 points and 68 yards of total offense by Quincy.
The Gladiators (1-0) will take on perennial rival Mass Fury (1-0) on the road at Worcester State on Saturday July 21st, at 7:00 p.m. The last time both teams met, Taunton came away with a 12-8 win in the EFL Championship Game.
The Taunton Gladiators will be hosting their first team meeting of the 2018 season on March 10th, 7:30pm at Home Plate Bay Street Grill in Taunton, MA. This meeting is for returning players as well as new/interested ones.
If you have questions prior to the event please e-mail tgladiators@tauntongladiators.com.
TEAM NEWS
- First team meeting of the 2018 Season will be posted in the coming weeks.
- First Fundraising Trip of the 2018 Season will be explained at the team meeting.
CONTRACTS
- ALL PLAYERS must sign contracts for the 2018 season.
JERSEYS
- The Gladiators will return to traditional Maroon and White uniforms for 2018 after honoring fallen teammate Ray Henderson with the Black "Hondo" Jerseys for the 2017 season.
- Jersey Numbers will be allocated based on who has paid their dues upfront.
