Barnstormers Downed by Gladiators, 86-49
Iowa Barnstormers
Iowa Falls 0-3 Versus Cleveland in 2014 Series
Cleveland, OH – The Iowa Barnstormers (6-6) were defeated by the Cleveland Gladiators (10-1) on Saturday, June 7 at Quicken Loans Arena.
On the road for their third and final matchup versus the Cleveland Gladiators for 2014, the Iowa Barnstormers struggled to show the opponent their potential in the Eastern Division. Cleveland’s first possession of the night and in scoring position, the Barnstormers defense held strong. However, after an Iowa penalty for illegal defense the Gladiators advanced to first down and took advantage of their new opportunity. A fumble on the Barnstormers snap gave the ball back to the hungry home team who managed a fourteen point lead. Iowa wouldn’t go without answer as quarterback Brian Reader tossed a 48-yard touchdown pass to receiver Darius Reynolds. One more touchdown by Cleveland brought the score to 21-7 after the first.
Trailing by fourteen, the Barnstormers continued to afford opportunity to the Gladiators. After a Dominick Goodman touchdown, the Barnstormers lost two fumbles while Cleveland quarterback Shane Austin hauled in his second rushing touchdown of the night. Iowa’s J.J. Raterink replaced Reader and connected touchdown passes to both Reynolds and Marco Thomas. Another touchdown and field goal by the Gladiators summed up the first half 51-21.
Attempting to diminish Cleveland’s thirty-point lead, it was Raterink and Reynolds who started the scoring in the second half. On the ensuing kickoff, Joe Phinisee returned the ball for a Cleveland touchdown. An Iowa touchdown by M. Thomas and a pair of touchdowns for Cleveland positioned the Barnstormers even further from victory. Gladiators 72, Barnstormers 31.
In the fourth, the Barnstormers defense held the Gladiators to their lowest scoring frame of the night. A rushing touchdown by Corey Howard and a touchdown pass from Chris Dieker to Dominick Goodman were the final scoring factors for the Cleveland Gladiators. However, a pair of touchdowns by the Iowa offense weren’t nearly enough for a fourth quarter rally. The Iowa Barnstormers were stumped 86-49.
The Iowa Barnstormers return to Wells Fargo Arena next weekend as the team hosts the Tampa Bay Storm.
