Gladiators start 1-1

The Grafton Gladiators opened the season Aug. 28 with a loss to the Brookfield East Spartans. They built an 18-0 lead at half, but Grafton stalled in the second half and saw Brookfield score 24 unanswered points to secure the a 24-18 win.

Last Saturday, the Gladiators rebounded with a 30-13 win over the Franklin Sabers.  

The day started with a program honoring one of the founders of the Gladiators­, Jim Brandenburg.

In 1976, Brandenburg, along with Ron Heller, Danny, Fullington and Bob Kiefer, formed the Gladiators. The following year, the Gladiators were one of four teams that founded the All-American Youth Football League.

Following the presentation, both teams honored the memory of 9/11 by holding American flags and observing a moment of silence.

In the game, Grafton’s defense held Franklin to minus-eight yards in the first half and had five sacks, with Ian Cornelius recording 2-1/2.

Grafton led 30-0 at halftime. Quarterback Jack Marti had touchdown passes of 12 yards to Elliot Storms and 45 yards to Tyler Deer, and Marti snuck in for a score.

The scoring was rounded out by a 20-yard run by Nick Schiller.

Grafton hosts the Wauwatosa Trojans on Saturday.