Gladiators open playoffs against a familiar foe

Top-seeded Duke City looks to beat Wichita for fourth time this season

In the NFL, a familiar adage at playoff time is that it’s tough for a team to beat another three times in one season.

Tonight at Tingley Coliseum, the Duke City Gladiators will attempt to do that one better when they play host to the Wichita Force in the first round of the Champions Indoor Football postseason.

The Gladiators, who have the home-field advantage throughout the three-round tournament, were 3-0 against Wichita (4-8) during their 10-2 season, including a 56-49 victory on the road Sunday that clinched the CIF’s overall No. 1 seed.

“I pretty much know them inside-out,” said Gladiators receiver Dello Davis after Thursday morning’s practice at Tingley. He had three TD receptions in the victory Sunday and a leaguehigh 20 this season.

“You can’t invent the wheel over. They can try to do a little here and there, but a guy that’s running a 4.5 can’t just turn around and run

a 4.3 because he wants to. They might change some stuff up, be we just have to execute and be locked in on our end.”

Although the Force has the worst record among the eight playoff teams, it has a rich history, including a CIF title two years ago.

“They’re a tough team and have a pedigree,” fourth-year Gladiators coach Dominic Bramante said. “Their quarterback, Rocky Hines, has a couple of rings. This is going to be a war Saturday.”

Also with a couple of rings is Duke City defensive lineman Matt Moss. He’s a Texas A&M alum who played in Wichita from 2011-2016.

“It’s fun to compete against (Hines) after competing against him every day in practice,” Moss said. “We used to hang out all the time.

“It’s never easy playing a team this many times and you don’t want to take anything lightly. They’re probably stoked to be in the playoffs at 4-8. I would be.”

The teams will be operating on short rest after Sunday’s meeting, which could take a toll on some of the beat-up bodies.

“It’s going to be the same for both teams,” said Gladiators offensive lineman Terrale Johnson, who played at Kansas State. “I feel fine right now, but I guess we’ll see on Saturday.”

UP NEXT: If the Gladiators defeat Wichita, they would play at home Monday, June 25, against the winner of this Monday’s game between Amarillo (No. 2 South seed) and visiting Texas (No. 3 South). Tingley isn’t available on Saturday, June 23, because it’s booked for a WWE event.

If Duke City wins that game, it would qualify for the title game at home June 30 against the North Conference champion.

Davis is ecstatic not to make any more trips this year.

“You don’t know how happy I am not to have to wake up and deal with the pregame meals on the road, getting out of the hotel, and getting on the bus, to drive an hour away just to go eat and then come all the way back and go to meetings,” he said.

In the past three seasons, home teams are 12-3 in the CIF postseason, including 8-0 in the first round.