Arena Football Capsules

CLEVELAND 61, NEW YORK 49 -------------------------
CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- Raymond Philyaw threw for five touchdown passes to lead the Cleveland Gladiators to a 61-49 Arena League victory Monday night. It was the season opener for both teams. Otis Amey caught seven passes for 101 yards, including a pair of touchdown receptions, and ran for a score for the Gladiators, who pulled away after New York had rallied to take a 35-33 lead late in the third quarter. Marlion Jackson's 32-yard run with 1:00 left in the third quarter put Cleveland ahead for good, 40-35, and his 6-yard scoring pass from Philyaw extended the lead to 54-42. Philyaw finished 18-of-23 for 240 yards and an interception. Rohan Davey completed 21-of-30 passes for five touchdowns and an interception for New York. Three of the scoring passes went to Kevin Swayne, who had 10 catches for 130 yards.


CHICAGO 70, SAN JOSE 47 -----------------------
ROSEMONT, Illinois (Ticker) -- Sherdrick Bonner tossed six touchdown passes as the Chicago Rush cruised to a 70-47 victory over the San Jose SaberCats in the season opener for both teams. Bonner, who spent the first 14 seasons of his AFL career with Arizona before coming to Chicago this offseason, passed for 261 yards. Damian Harrell made five catches for 128 yards and two scores and Dan Alexander ran for a touchdown for the Rush (1-0), who forced five turnovers - all leading to scores. It was the most turnovers by the SaberCats since 1999. San Jose quarterback Mark Grieb passed for 353 yards and five touchdowns but was intercepted three times. The SaberCats also fumbled the ball five times, losing it twice. James Roe and Rodney Wright each hauled in 12 receptions and Cleannord Saintil had a career-high 10 catches for 129 yards for San Jose (0-1).