Gladiators’ home opener will be ‘Dukes Night’

The Duke City Gladiators will attempt to shake off a season-opening road loss to the Dodge City (Kan.) Law when they play host to the Amarillo Venom (0-0) tonight at Tingley Coliseum in Champions Indoor Football league play.

It will be “Albuquerque Dukes Night” at the arena, with the Gladiators wearing replica Dukes-style uniforms of mustard and red. The jerseys will be auctioned off afterward.

Last Saturday, the Gladiators fell to the Law 59-52 on a 1-yard run by QB Rudy Johnson with 49 seconds left that broke a 52-52 tie. On Duke City’s final possession, its drive stalled inside the Dodge City 1 as time expired. It was the third-straight season-opening loss — all on the road — for the Gladiators. But thirdyear coach Dominic Bramante is confident there will be no hangover tonight.

“When you’re hungry, it’s not going to be a problem,” he said. “You do have to learn from it, but that game is a million miles away right now. All we’re thinking about is beating the Amarillo Venom.”

Lucien Walker led Duke City’s offensive charge in the loss with three rushing TDs and one receiving score. Defensive back Jayson Serda (Manzano, Eastern NM) had 14 solo tackles and two assists.

“He’s coming into his own understanding the game,” Bramante said. “He’s a killer.”

Ex-Lobo QB Donovan Porterie, however, threw three interceptions and lost a fumble. One of the interceptions was returned for a score less than 2 minutes into the game.

Said offensive coordinator Meadow Lemon: “He just had to knock the cobwebs off. It’s fortunate he had that game out of the way early.”

The Gladiators will be going against veteran QB Nate Davis and receiver Raymond Johnson, who last year led the CIF in receptions (94) and receiving yards (1,272). In a 69-46 Amarillo victory over the Gladiators in the penultimate game of the season, Johnson had eight catches for 138 yards and four TDs. That loss knocked Duke City out of playoff contention.