Gladiators hope home is sweet

Adam Candee

Monday, Feb. 17, 2003 | 10:19 a.m.

NEXT UP

What: Tampa Bay at Gladiators

When: Today, 7 p.m.

Where: Thomas & Mack Center

TV: None

Radio: KENO 1460-AM

Line: Gladiators by 1, total is 100

The sense of urgency apparent in his voice, Mike Horacek implored his Gladiators teammates to do Las Vegas proud in tonight's home opener.

"We cannot go 0-and-3," Horacek said as his teammates huddled at the start of Sunday's practice at Sam Boyd Stadium. "It is not going to happen."

The truth of that statement will be tested tonight at the Thomas and Mack Center, when the Gladiators (0-2) host the Tampa Bay Storm (1-1) in their first home contest.

Thomas and Mack officials are predicting a crowd of 10,000, and the Gladiators feel not only the pressure of trying to get their first win, but the pressure of impressing a historically fickle Las Vegas public.

"The guys are excited," Gladiators coach Frank Haege said. "We went out to three different malls (Saturday), and at every one of them, the reception was unbelievable."

Such pavement-pounding efforts are just part of the job for the new kids on the Valley block. Of course, the Gladiators know it will take more than goodwill efforts to bring fans out to their games -- it will take wins.

"Winning cures all (that) ails," Haege said.

Even with nine turnovers in their first two contests, the Gladiators had a chance to either tie or win in the final minute of both games.

Haege said there will be no major personnel or scheme changes, at least for this week. But if there is a button to push that would eliminate the Gladiators' turnover troubles, Haege wants to know where it is. Quarterback Jay McDonagh, in addition to his 10 TD passes, has tossed 7 INTs in the first two games, a magnified sin in Arena Football.

Haege is preaching "ownership" to his team, telling them to take pride in finishing plays while hanging onto the ball.

"It's players stepping up and taking responsibility," Haege said.

Bright spots certainly exist. Standout receiver Mike Horacek has pulled in 7 TDs to lead the offense, and star kick returner Sedrick Robinson scored his first return TD of the year last week at Arizona. The Gladiators' defense also turned in a much-improved performance last week, after looking shaky at Los Angeles.

Las Vegas welcomes a Tampa Bay team coming off a 54-51 loss at Orlando, as the Storm arrives at the conclusion of a season-opening, three-game road trip. Storm quarterback John Kaleo is off to the best start of his nine-year Arena career, with 484 yards and 12 TDs. Kaleo has not thrown an interception.

The Gladiators defeated the Storm, 55-33, in Tampa Bay last year, when the team played in New Jersey.