(Bradenton, FL) The Bradenton Gladiators scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to mount a 33-20 comeback victory over the Sarasota Millionaires Saturday night at PAL Stadium in Bradenton, FL.
Quarterback Nick Kirby threw four touchdown passes, three of them to former Manatee High School standout wide receiver Jeff Charlton and one to Frankie Romo as the Gladiators came back from a 14-7 deficit to sweep the season series from the Millionaires.
Former Sarasota High School and USF running back Mike Ford recently signed by the Gladiators played in the game at tailback alternating with former Riverview running back Glen Woods.
Bradenton jumped out to the early 7-0 lead 1:15 into the game when Edrick Sweeting recovered a fumble in the Millionaires end zone.
Sarasota answered back on its next series on a 59 yard scoring drive capped off by an acrobatic one-handed catch by Bruce Singleton for a touchdown.
The Millionaires took a 14-7 lead four minutes into the second quarter when Mike Peterson connected with Kelvin McCall on a 15 yard touchdown pass.
The Gladiators pulled to within one point at halftime on Nick Kirby’s first of three touchdown passes to Jeff Charlton late in the second quarter.
The third quarter belonged to the Gladiators as Kirby tossed touchdown passes to Frankie Romo and Jeff Charlton to extend its lead to 26-14.
The Millionaires pulled to within six points when they blocked a Gladiator punt and recovered it in the end zone with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Nick Kirby drove his team down the field and put the game away with his fourth TD pass of the game and third to Jeff Charlton from 12 yards out.
Bradenton remains atop the AFC West division with a 6-2 record. The Millionaires record falls to 4-5.
Extra Points
The Millionaires have a bye next week. They will wrap up the regular season April 3rd vs. the Muck City Starrs at Booker High School. Kickoff at 3:30PM.
Millionaires owner Calvin Williams will join Doug Miles next Saturday, March 27th as they broadcast the St. Pete Sharks vs. Bradenton Gladiators game from Bradenton, FL at http://www.dougmilesmedia.com
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