RMFL Football: Gladiators edge Anarchy

Veteran quarterback Shane Jurasek threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to JJ Dorsch with 44 seconds to play as the unbeaten Great Falls Gladiators rallied past the Blackfoot (Idaho) Anarchy 19-18 Saturday night in a Rocky Mountain Football League game at Memorial Stadium.

Jurasek, who suffered a sprained ankle in the first half but played the entire game, led the Gladiators on a 60-yard drive after the Anarchy took an 18-12 lead with 1:44 to play after taking over following a botched punt at the Great Falls 2-yard line.

The Gladiators had two special-teams gaffes that led to Anarchy touchdowns.

“Our defense really played phenomenal,” said Great Falls coach Jason (Doc) Kjono.

Leading way defensively were Mike Pease, Ray Dunn, Spencer Steiner and Nick Arnold. Dunn had two interceptions.

Following Jurasek’s third touchdown pass, which tied the game in the final seconds, Trevor England tacked on the extra point to provide the winning margin. Great Falls defensive back Ant Rheines intercepted an Anarchy pass with 22 seconds left to seal the victory.

Jurasek threw a pair of TD passes to Dorsch, plus one to Jermain Sanders.

“Shane hurt an ankle in the second quarter and played the rest of the way with a heavily taped ankle,” Kjono said. “He really gutted it out and threw three beautiful passes on the last drive, including two to Dorsch.”

Great Falls improved to 4-0 on the season, while the Anarchy fell to 2-2.

“It was a tough, hard-fought game,” Kjono. “We really showed the heart of a champion.”

The Great Falls head coach said his team benefited from a crowd of several hundred at Memorial Stadium.

“It was a good crowd, and we appreciate them very much,” Kjono said.

The Gladiators return to Memorial Stadium Saturday night at 7 to take on the Billings Xtreme.