DULUTH, GA – The Cleveland Gladiators advanced to the National Conference Championship round with a 73-70 win over the second-seeded Georgia Force on Monday night, in front of 10,173 fans at the Arena at Gwinnett Center.  Cleveland will travel to Philadelphia to face the top-seeded Soul on Saturday, July 12 at 1 p.m. on ESPN.

Raymond Philyaw’s touchdown pass to Robert Redd with 1:19 left proved to be the game-winner as the Gladiators took a 73-63 lead.  Force quarterback Chris Greisen found Troy Bergeron in the back of the end zone with eight seconds left, pulling Georgia within three, but the ensuing onside kick attempt failed and Cleveland ran the remainder of the clock, preserving the win.

Philyaw finished 20-of-29 for 295 yards and eight touchdowns.  Otis Amey led all Gladiators receivers with six catches for 130 yards and three touchdowns.  Former Force player Willis Marshal hauled in five catches for 64 yards and one touchdown – a 35-yard strike that gave put the Gladiators up 67-56 with 7:38 left in the game.

Redd’s touchdown reception was his third of the game, finishing with five catches for 43 yards.  Fullback Joshua Rue rushed for two scores in the win.

Greisen led the Force with 343 yards on 29-of-39 passing and eight touchdowns.  Bergeron led all receivers with 14 catches and 178 yards.  His four touchdowns, along with four by Tiger Jones, accounted for each of the passing scores.

The Gladiators will return to Cleveland on Tuesday and begin preparations for Philadelphia.  The team will travel on Friday, July 11 and a practice schedule will be released Tuesday.