While owning a respectable +11 point differential in the first half of their 4 NFA playoff games, the Jets have been a second half team throughout the playoffs and have outscored their opponents 73-43.

But it was the Gladiators who began the game red hot. They never faced a 3rd down as they moved the ball 65 yards in just 7 plays on the opening drive of the game. QB John Augustine went over the top to Dennis Martin on a 34 yard scoring play to put the Gladiators on the board. Accustomed to unmercifully harassing opposing quarterbacks and running stride for stride with receivers, the Jets' defense was unprepared for the Gladiators' offense and could do neither on this drive.

After the teams exchanged punts the Jets responded with a 10 play, 86 yard drive of their own. QB Lance Westendorf twice converted 3rd down situations with his arm and bruising tailback Malachi DeWalt powered through the Gladiator defense on a 32 yard run that moved the ball down to the 11. The Jets then went to their money play with Westendorf throwing a 'jump ball' pass to Alphonso Harris in left corner of the endzone but CB Sean Jones was there to knock the ball away. Westendorf tried another fade to speedster Freeman Baysinger, this time in the right corner. Again it was a perfectly thrown ball but once again the Gladiator defense made a great play as FS Adam Borrell reached in from behind to knock the ball out of Baysinger's grasp. Good coverage on 3rd down forced Westendorf to scramble for time and it looked like he was going to run when he pulled up and flipped the ball out to a wide open DeShawn Fontleroy who went untouched for the score. LB Julio Moldunato blocked the PAT to preserve the Gladiator lead at 7-6.

After a short Gladiator punt the Jets were driving again when CB Steve Scott cut in front of Baysinger for the games first turnover. The Gladiators quickly drove down inside the Jet 30 when disaster struck. CB Damon Dickey cut in front of a Gladiator receiver and returned the ball 77 yards for an apparent score but the Jets were offsides on the play. It was a costly mistake for the Jets as 3 plays later Augustine hit O'Malley on an 'out and up' route for a 27 yard score. Milton Myers blocked the PAT to keep the Jets within 7.

After a Jet punt the Gladiators tried to add to their lead before time ran out. With little time left MLB Aaron Wardrip intercepted an Augustine pass to end the threat but once again the Jets were hurt by penalties as a personal foul negated the play. The 15 yard penalty was just enough to put the Gladiators in field goal range but they were unable to get the kick off due to a high snap.

The Jets have owned the 3rd quarter in their previous NFA games and this was no exception. They needed just two plays to cross midfield on the opening drive. Then RB Andre Edwards broke through the line and looked like he was going to score until CB Sean Jones caught him from behind and knocked the ball loose. DT Pete Girrere recovered.

The Gladiators quickly moved the ball out past midfield thanks to a 27 yard run by Elroy Birmingham. The Jet defense stiffened as MLB Aaron Wardrip shot through a gap to nail Birmingham for a 3 yard loss on the next play. Then DL Shannon McKenzie and Fred Hardwell pressured Augustine into an intentionally grounding penalty and the Gladiators were forced to punt. The snap sailed high over punter Dennis Martin's head. He was able to run back and pick up the ball but was immediately stopped by Dion Alexander and Kenny Harrison at the 23 yard line. The Jets needed only one play to capitalize on the mistake as Westendorf hit TE Derrick Pleasant across the middle and he outraced the defenders to the pylon. The Jets could have tied the game with the PAT but once again it was Julio Moldunato with the block.

The turnover and quick score seemed to derail the Gladiator offense as they went 3 plays and out for the first time in the game. A short punt gave the Jets good position and they went right for the kill. On first down Westendorf went over the top to receiver Andre Harris for a 35 yard gain down to the 4. The Jets tried to power the ball up the middle twice but only got as far as the 1. On 3rd down Westendorf ran an option to the right and was immediately caught from behind by the safety but was still able to pitch the ball. Fontleroy caught the pitch in stride and outraced the defense to the corner where he had to power his way through two linebackers for the score.

Leading by 5 (18-13) the Jets went for two. On what almost looked like a replay of their earlier TD connection, once again Westendorf scrambled to buy time and then found a wide open Fontleroy out in the flat. Fontleroy went in untouched to give the Jets a 7 point lead. In just a 5 minute span, the Jets had stormed back from a 13-6 deficit to take a 20-13 lead.

Back to back sacks put the Gladiators in a deep hole on the ensuing series. On 3rd down from his own 12, Augustine went to his favorite target. WR Dennis Martin turned a short completion into a footrace into Jet territory and only S Karl Wright prevented a touchdown. The 46 yard play seemed to breathe new life into the Gladiator offense as they moved the ball down to the 35. On first down Augustine threw for the endzone but S Milton Myers jumped in front of the receiver for the interception. The turnover stole some of the momentum from the Gladiators but it put the Jets in a hole as they were starting at their own two yard line. Fontleroy barely got out of the endzone on first down so the Jets went to the air. Westendorf just missed hitting Baysinger deep on 2nd down. They tried again on 3rd down and missed again but the defender was called for holding which moved the ball out to the 11 and gave the Jets a first down. The Gladiator defense held and the Jets were forced to punt from deep in their own end of the field on the first play of the 4th quarter.

The Gladiators could not take advantage of the good field position and had to punt the ball right back to the Jets. After a dropped pass on 1st down, Pete Girrere and Calvin Moore sacked Westendorf for an 8 yard loss on 2nd. LB Kenny Brown sacked Westendorf on 3rd down and forced a fumble that rolled into the endzone were it was recovered by Julio Moldunato. The PAT was wide left and the Gladiators trailed 20-19.

Starting at their own 20, the Jets went on a methodical 15 play, 75 yard drive that ended in a 28 yard field goal by Sean O'Laughlin. Not only did the Jets force the Gladiators to have to score a touchdown, but they also effectively ran 6 or 7 minutes off the clock.

The Gladiator offense took over at their own 26 with just under 4:00 to play. They needed just 6 plays to move the ball down to the Jets 26, the last 15 yards coming from a roughing the passer penalty. Deep in Jets territory with plenty of time and a first down the Gladiators looked like they may give the fans a miracle finish. Augustine threw deep to the corner of the endzone for the win but once again it was S Milton Myers coming underneath the receiver and then leaping high into the air for the interception. Rather than take a touchback he returned the ball out the the 37 yard line.

There was still over a minute to play and the Gladiators had all their timeouts so the Jets could not run out the clock. A QB draw on first down was stuffed and Fontleroy could only gain 4 yards on 2nd. On 3rd Westendorf rolled out to evade LB Richard Harvey and then did a pirouette before throwing a 19 yard strke to TE Derrick Pleasant coming across the middle. The first down allowed the Jets to run out the clock and become NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

Offense:
DeShawn Fontleroy, RB, Jets: 2 touchdowns and a 2 point conversion
Lance Westendorf, QB, Jets: 10/14 for 137 yards and 9 first downs on 3rd down
Dennis Martin, WR, Gladiators: 12 catches for 212 yards and 1 touchdown
John Augustine, QB, Gladiators: 329 yards passing

Defense:
Milton Myers, S, Jets: 6 tackles, 2 interceptions
Julio Moldunato, LB, Gladiators: 18 tackles, 2 blocked PATs, I fumble recovery for a touchdown
Dion Alexander, LB, Jets: 12 tackles, 3 tackles for loss
Leyland Johnston, DT, Jets: 2 sacks

Special Teams:
Terrell Walker, S, Jets: 3 tackles
Julio Moldunato, LB, Gladiators: 3 tackles