Gladiators take aim at a win streak

Adam Candee

Friday, April 30, 2004 | 9:59 a.m.

Indiana Firebirds (6-6) at Las Vegas Gladiators (4-7)

Sunday, noon, Thomas and Mack Center

Radio: ESPN 920-AM (tape delayed until 4 p.m.)

Now that they have some evidence to believe that a six-game winning streak is possible, the Las Vegas Gladiators need only to look across the field Sunday for living proof.

Indiana visits the Thomas & Mack Center this weekend one week removed from a sixth consecutive victory that took the Firebirds from the cellar right into playoff contention. Las Vegas, which snapped a four-game losing skid last week against Detroit, needs to win its final five contests to match Indiana's run and stay in contention for a playoff spot.

There is no secret to Indiana's turnaround, Gladiators quarterback Clint Dolezel feels.

"They didn't go out and revamp everything," Dolezel said. "They just started playing well together."

Spurred by resurgent quarterback Adrian McPherson and the league's second-ranked defense, Indiana even overcame injuries to key players like former Gladiators standout receiver Mike Horacek -- something Las Vegas has struggled to do in the absence of some of its best men.

The Firebirds' defense is allowing less than 50 points per game. Indiana also ranks second in the league in turnover margin at plus-14 and as the Gladiators proved last week by forcing four takeaways against the Fury, there is no quicker way to success in arena football than a defense setting up an offense.

"If we get some defensive stops like that, we'll be in pretty good shape," Dolezel said.

An improved effort from the injury-plagued defense, combined with the successful comeback of return man Coco Blalock, allowed Las Vegas to rout Detroit even though the Gladiators compiled 111 fewer yards. It's all about field position in a game where yardage means little.

"Once you're backed up inside the 5, it kind of limits what you can run," Dolezel said.

The Gladiators are having no trouble on offense, where Dolezel and wideout Marcus Nash continue to form the league's top statistical tandem. Both rank in the top four in the AFL in every major statistical category at their respective positions.

Putting faith in those numbers is a whole lot easier now that Las Vegas at least has the first of the six wins it needs.

"Winning cure almost all ails," Gladiators coach Frank Haege said. "When you win, it just gives you a whole new perspective."

Indiana lost three of its first five games by a combined 10 points before beginning its winning streak. Las Vegas has dropped similar close games all year, but Haege hopes that a little spark like Blalock's game-opening kick return for a touchdown last week can convince his team that its fortunes are changing.

"You have to believe, as a coach, that there can be a mental edge," Haege said. "Otherwise, what's the point of going to work?"