For the first time since it's inception the league will be taking it's talents across the Hudson River into the boroughs of New York City as the Punishers from New Jersey take on the Pennsylvania Gladiators in Brooklyn.
If you are new to this league or have been living under a rock for many years most of you might actually not know who the Punishers are. But this team knows what they are doing and it all starts with their Captain Isaac "Isack" Negron who has brought the team back for the first time since 2010. The Punishers are a fast paced team with plenty of talent all around, led by an offensive core that begins and ends with their Quarterback Robert Crawford their passing game and subsequent running game is moved through him. A new look offensive line with Lamaar "Jazz" Mays returns to an A7 field for the first time in nearly five years and is sure to make holes like a bull dozer for both Crawford and veteran Running Back #1 Gerald "Bigga" Llewellyn. Don't let their active running game fool you as Crawford knows how to whip the rock and #8 Omar Cheatham takes care of that with his explosive speed and incredibly route running.
Despite a fairly undersized defense in terms of height the one thing you won't see lacking from the Punishers core is the ability to swarm to the ball and play technical, physical football. #52 Tashawn Williams is one of the hardest hitting safeties in the game and has been known to knock a ball or a tooth, or a rib loose one or two times. Mike Stryker #99 mans the middle of the defensive line and is quietly making a name for himself as one of the better defensive tackles in the league and Raymond Walters #12 is setting the tone for the defense locking down a teams #1 receiver with ease.
On the other side of the ball the Gladiators are coming across state lines for the first time since playing in the Beef Bowl playoffs last spring. Following an undefeated Fall Brawl the Gladiators are poised to make a statement on Saturday and prove that Pennsylvania isn't just for cow tipping and dating your sister but is known for its action packed football as well.
The one thing that everyone needs to know about this squad is there ability to play as one unit. It isn't just a player at a position, but each player is just a piece or a cog that makes the machine run. #1 Bman, is a wrecking ball not to be messed with and is certain to be a game changer as is #34 on the defensive line who is a second generation Townbeefer who is looking to make a name for himself like his brother had done in years past with A-Team.
On the offensive side of the ball the Gladiators are bringing a few mainstays to the picture start with their gunslinger Rich Adams at QB. Adams #01 shows a consistently accurate throwing motion that has the potential to produce big game distance but it isn't his arm that makes opposing players look in awe but his feet that can change the game from competitive to ugly in the matter of moments. Don't let Adams get outside of the pocket because those who do tend to see themselves on the opposite side of the scoreboard more often than not. But Adams can't do it all, he has a supporting cast at WR that can help him make plays as #9 Byrd is quick to the spot and is always willing to move around to help his QB out in a pinch. Byrd shows explosiveness off the snap, an ability to run an efficiently crisp route and has hands of glue as everything that hits them is sure to stay in his possession.
