SEMIPRO FOOTBALL: Gladiators take third RMFL crown

OGDEN, Utah – Shane Jurasek is leaving semiprofessional football a winner.

The 17-year veteran threw for 383 yards and three touchdowns as the Great Falls Gladiators claimed their third Rocky Mountain Football League championship by beating the Utah Cobras 33-21 to win the Great North Conference.

Jurasek, who received his second career Most Valuable Player award earlier in the day, also claimed the MVP of the title game after completing 24 of his 41 tries.

“It is the greatest feeling in the world, to go out a winner,” Jurasek said. “And I had all of my brothers playing right next to me.

“It was a total team effort. Every single player here deserves a pat on the back. They played out of position; they played in position. (Offensive coordinator) Jeff Evison called a great game. I couldn’t have done it without him.”

Jurasek and Evison will ride off into the sunset with this championship, as well as head coach Jason “Doc” Kjono, tight end Jermaine Saunders and DE Michael Pease.

“Everyone worked really well together,” Kjono, who was named RMFL Coach of the Year, said. Kjono noted that he plans to share the award with Evison.

“Forty-five players started the season, and one championship team came out,” Kjono added.

Richard Downing III had a rushing touchdown as well as a receiving score. Saunders and JJ Dorsch each caught a scoring pass, and Ant Raines busted off a long TD run.

It is the third RMFL title for the Gladiators, who won back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011. They finish the season undefeated at 10-0.

“We’re very grateful for the community, all of our fans, the military and our weekend warriors,” Kjono said.