Jul 1, 2008 - 3:16 AM
0 shoutsBy PA SportsTicker
CLEVELAND 69, ORLANDO 66 ------------------------
CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- Willis Marshall brought an end to a stirring passing duel, scoring on an 8-yard run with 52 seconds to play to lift the Cleveland Gladiators to a 69-66 victory over the Orlando Predators in an Arena League playoff game.
Raymond Philyaw threw for eight touchdown passes and 436 yards to send fourth-seeded Cleveland into a divisional-round playoff game against the Georgia Force next Monday night.
It was the second-highest passing yardage total in league playoff history. Philyaw completed 29-of-38 passes, including a 15-yard scoring pass to Randy Hymes that put the Gladiators ahead to stay, 62-60, with 6:49 to play.
Robert Redd was Philyaw's favorite target, making 14 catches for a franchise-best 204 yards and four touchdowns. Hymes had three receptions - all for touchdowns - for 58 yards.
Predators quarterback Shane Stafford matched Philyaw, throwing eight scoring passes and rushing for another. He finished 30-of-42 for 376 yards and two interceptions, giving fifth-seeded Orlando its last lead at 60-55 on his 6-yard run with 9 1/2 minutes to play.
T.T. Toliver had 11 receptions for 185 yards and four touchdowns for the Predators (9-7). He added a 57-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
GRAND RAPIDS 48, ARIZONA 41 ---------------------------
PHOENIX (Ticker) -- James MacPherson threw five touchdown passes to lead the Grand Rapids Rampage to a 48-41 victory over the Arizona Rattlers in a wild card playoff matchup.
The Rampage advance to meet the Chicago Rush on Sunday in Chicago.
MacPherson completed 27-of-40 passes for 285 yards. He added a 1-yard rushing touchdown late in the third quarter to give the Rampage a 41-34 lead.
Arizona tied the game, 41-41, on a 1-yard TD run by Jeff Smoker with 9:45 to play before MacPherson threw his final TD pass of the game, a 28-yarder to Kenny Higgins with 6:26 to go to make it 48-41.
Higgins finished with 12 catches for 177 yards and two scores and Cole Magner added seven receptions for 48 yards and two TDs for Grand Rapids.
Smoker was 17-of-24 for 233 yards and four TDs for Arizona.
