Gladiators open playoffs with turmoil, questions

Adam Candee

Friday, May 23, 2003 | 9:58 a.m.

To understand the mercurial season of the Las Vegas Gladiators, examine the 24-hour period beginning with Sunday's home victory against Buffalo.

All looked well when the Gladiators snapped a two-game losing skid by making a second-half comeback to beat Buffalo at the Thomas & Mack Center, as No. 11 Las Vegas (8-8) appeared to build the momentum it wanted heading into Sunday's wild card playoff game against No. 6 Arizona (10-6) at noon at America West Arena.

Yet, just like the rest of the season, there is always a caveat to celebration. Less than a day after the victory, Gladiators head coach Frank Haege fired defensive coordinator Brian Schwartze for what Haege called "loyalty issues."

"I think the guys have been great about it," Haege said of the change. "Some players have taken a little more ownership in their position groups."

Strange as it seems, Gladiators defensive back Damon Mason echoed that sentiment.

"I hate to say it, but I really think it's more positive because we've been going through adversity," Mason said. "It's something to focus on to bring you together."

Ranked in the middle of the 12-team playoff pack, the Las Vegas defense is generally strong, and it shined in the second half Sunday. The Gladiators forced four turnovers overall, including three consecutive in the second half to take control of the game.

They will need every bit of that defensive magic in Phoenix, where the Gladiators lost to Arizona, 46-42, in the second game of the season. McDonagh's desperation pass into the end zone was knocked away on the game's final play.

"We made some mistakes toward the end of the game and they came out with the win," Mason said. "We know we can beat them."

The Rattlers won that game without first-team All-Arena quarterback Sherdrick Bonner, and Bonner will spearhead the Arizona attack this week. Despite playing only 14 games, Bonner set Arizona franchise records with 3,692 passing yards and 88 touchdowns this season.

Arizona coach Danny White sounded confident this week, telling the Arizona Republic that the game would be more about the Rattlers' personnel than that of the Gladiators. While White mainly referenced Las Vegas' unstable quarterback situation, Haege feels those words serve the entire game.

"I think we've got to worry about them a little more," Haege said. "They're the favorite."

Both Bonner and former UNLV standout Randy Gatewood (9 interceptions) made All-Arena first team, and Arizona comes into the game having won six of its past seven games. The Rattlers lost to San Jose in last season's ArenaBowl.

Haege said he hasn't decided whether Jay McDonagh or Todd Hammel will start at quarterback. McDonagh is slowed by a right thumb injury and hasn't taken any snaps this week. Hammel relieved an ineffective McDonagh on Sunday and tossed four touchdowns.