Gladiators to kick off four-game home stretch during Saturday's home opener,
Quarterback Nate Davis heads to IR status
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — The Duke City Gladiators will be back in front of their fans Saturday to begin a four-game
home stretch. The Gladiators square-off against the Frisco Fighters with kick off scheduled at 6 p.m. at the Rio
Rancho Events Center. "We are looking to bring the United Bowl championship back to the Duke City and New Mexico," said Gladiators'
owner Gina Prieskorn-Thomas.
The Gladiators launched its 2022 season on the road and suffered its first loss last Saturday against the Arizona
Rattlers at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. The game was also the head coaching debut of Sherman Carter.
Texas-native Carter, who played professionally in the San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions, was part of the
Gladiators' CIF Championship teams in 2018 and 2019. Last season, Carter served as the team's offensive
coordinator.
"I am very happy with the leadership Coach Carter has brought to the team. Even though we suffered a loss on
Saturday, our comeback will make plenty of noise. We are about to raise the bar with plenty of talent, athleticism,
and drive within the team," Prieskorn-Thomas, an Albuquerque native, said. "Get ready for some high-action, high-
scoring action by New Mexico's only professional indoor football team."
During its inaugural IFL season, the Gladiators had its first IFL post-season bid. The Gladiators made it to the
league's semi-finals and was one game short of the United Bowl. A questionable referee call during the last
moments of the game against the Arizona Rattlers prevented the Gladiators from making a United Bowl
appearance during the team's inaugural season.
"We ended our first IFL season with the Rattlers and started this season against them. We were ready to battle but
ended up with a loss," Prieskorn-Thomas said. "These past couple of days, our coaches were able to review the
game and initiated changes that will be implemented during Saturday's home opener. That loss lit a fire in us, and
we are ready to hit the field again in front of our loyal fans."
Davis duo and notables return
The Gladiators return plenty of talent from last year's squad the dynamic Davis duo — Nate Davis and Dello Davis.
Also returning is Greg Dent Jr., Jayson Serda, Jared Elmore, and Darryl Stonum. Former CIF Gladiator player
Sedrick Johnson also returns to this year's squad.
Last season, the Gladiators topped the league in offense with quarterback Nate Davis capturing the league's
Offensive Player of the Year award. Nate Davis, a former San Francisco 49er, shattered the IFL single season
passing touchdown record. During the 2021 regular season, Nate Davis completed 64.1 percent of his throws for
2,901 years, 191 yards in 33 rushes, and seven touchdowns in one season. He was named the Offensive Player of
the Week four times during the Gladiators' inaugural season – the most in the league. He continues to be one of the league's most prolific players. Under his command, the Gladiators offense ended the season top of the league's points per game with 52.5, passing offense with 206.4, and 248.6 in total yards per game.
Dello Davis returns to the field for the Gladiators. During the 2021 season, Dello Davis, a wide receiver, was named
to the All-IFL First Team. Dello Davis ended the 2021 season leading the league with 75 receptions for 975 yards,
yards per game with 69.9, receptions per game with 5.4, and 31 touchdowns.
Elmore was named to the 2021 All-IFL Second Team. He ended the 2021 season third in receptions with 59, fourth
in touchdowns with 17, fourth in receptions (4.2), seventh in yards (44.7), and fifth in total receiving yards with 626.
Serda, a Manzano graduate and former Eastern New Mexico University football player, suffered a season-ending
injury before the 2021 season. He returns this season and is expected to make a huge impact on defense.
Dent Jr., out of Florida State, suffered an injury in a very short five-game season and is back to action with the
Gladiators. He works both sides of the ball for the team, before his injury in 2021 he had 13 receptions, four
receiving touchdowns, and 20 kick returns for 352 yards. During Saturday's game, Dent Jr. scored a touchdown at
the end of the first quarter on a Nate Davis pass. Stonum, a former NFL player with the Kansas City Chiefs, returns to action this season. He played at Michigan and Baylor prior to the NFL. He suffered an injury last season. "We were able to keep our offense from last season together for the most part," Prieskorn-Thomas said. "We also
added several notable players to the roster this season."
Former Bronco and Buccaneer running backs join roster
Former NFL players Devontae Johnson and Quayvon Hicks join the Gladiators this season. Former Denver Broncos player Johnson made his presence known during Saturday's matchup against the Rattlers. He scored the Gladiator's first touchdown of the season on a run. Former Tampa Back Buccaneer Hicks will add to the Gladiators running game. He is listed at 6'3" and 250 pounds.
Nate Davis heads to IR
During a fourth down drive in the first half of Saturday's match-up, Nate Davis suffered a knee injury. Despite
returning to the field during the second half, medical staff and team officials have placed Davis on injured reserve
so he can fully heal from the injury. Prieskorn-Thomas said, "While we will miss Nate on the field, we want to make sure that he heals completely. He
will be back soon — the season is still young."
Filling in the quarterback position are Ramone Atkins and Javin Kilgo.
Atkins, an Indiana native, is a familiar name to football in the state as he played at New Mexico Highlands
University. Atkins gained 3,455 yards and 32 touchdowns with the Cowboys. He was named to the All RMAC First
Team for his outstanding offensive performance for the Cowboys, where he started for 35 games. He led the
Cowboys top ranked total offense in the RMAC conference. In January, Atkins played in the Podyum All-Star Bowl
in Florida. In December, he played in the All-American Stars vs. Stripes Bowl. He is listed at 6'3, 235 pounds.
Kilgo is a familiar name with the Duke City Gladiators as he served as back-up quarterback in 2021. He is a
member of the 2019 Duke City Gladiators CIF championship team. Kilgo is listed as 6'4" and 205 pounds. He
played collegiate football at Midwestern State.
Four home-game stretch
The Gladiators will have a four-game stretch starting with Saturday's matchup against the Frisco Fighters followed
by games on April 2 against the Arizona Rattlers, April 9 against Bay Area Panthers, and April 16 versus the Tucson Sugar Skulls. Pre-game festivities begin with a tailgate starting at 3 p.m. at the Rio Rancho Events Center.
Tickets are available online at ticketmaster.com.
The 2021 United Bowl Champions, the Massachusetts Pirates, are coming to the home of the Gladiators for a June
4 matchup at the Rio Rancho Events Center. Other opponents in this year's schedule include the Vegas Knight
Hawks, the Northern Arizona Wranglers, and the San Diego Strike Force. All games can be watched online on
YouTube. For interviews or additional information, contact Prieskorn-Thomas at 505-261-1558 or Mercy López at 505-350-
4021.
By: Mercy Lopez March 22, 2022
