Case in point: Saturday's Rocky Mountain Football League matchup between the Great Falls Gladiators and the Snake River Rebels at Paris Gibson Middle School.

The Gladiators had the heart and spirit. And, oh yes: 20 players.

The Rebels had heart and spirit as well. They also had 35 REALLY BIG players.

And when everything was said and done, the Rebels had a 32-0 win, a 3-2 record, and continued hopes of reaching the RMFL postseason next month. The Gladiators had their fourth loss in five games, their second straight shutout loss (and third of the season), and very poor odds that they would be playing football in June.

That's very poor odds ... as in 76 million to one-half.

Running backs Kade Shawver and Travis Boden did all of the damage for the Rebels, combining for all five Rebel touchdowns and more yards rushing than the entire Gladiator team, both on the ground AND in the air.

Shawver, who gained 74 yards and scored three times on 10 carries, said that any win at this stage will help keep Snake River in the playoff hunt.

"We wanted to come down here and bounce back from the loss we took last week at (Treasure Valley)," the 5-10, 210-pound back said after the game. "I think (the Rebels) only took 22 players (to Boise); I wasn't there, a couple of the other running backs weren't there, and Boden was the only RB."

Boden (6-1, 225) added the other two Rebel scores, gaining 65 yards on eight carries.

"We executed well, and had good field position all game," Boden added. "The Gladiators have a great football team; great talent ... great hospitality."

Rebel QB Jeff Dalley completed 5-of-17 pass attempts for 106 yards, most of them to TE Travis Goodwin (five catches, 120 yards).

"We lost early to Madison, but we've been getting better week by week," Rebel head coach Tom Harrison said. "If we can keep the players out ... it's a tough thing, but it's fun for these kids. Most of these guys played at Snake River High School, so it's fun that they get to play together. It's fun to go into a fight with guys you like.

"Everybody on the team has known each other since childhood, and we think that's an advantage."

The Gladiators, new to the RMFL this season, couldn't seem to get a sustained game going on offense, which has been a struggle all season for them. Their longest rushes were a pair of 8-yard gains by starting quarterback Dee Jones, while TeeJay Peterson gave the passing game a late breath of life, completing 3-of-7 second-half passes for 45 yards -- all caught by Alaska native Eddie Hailey.

"Snake River played an exceptional game," said Joe Parsetich after his first game back as Gladiator head coach. "They had a good-sized lineup to where the men were fresh.

"They came out running a wing formation on offense, and quite frankly, our men weren't used to that. But even our offensive line was getting penetrated to the point where we couldn't be effective."

Indeed, the Rebels defense was slicing through the Gladiators line like a knife through hot butter. Jones and backup QB Peterson were sacked a combined five times for losses totalling 37 yards. And, if you throw in punter/kicker Vinny Ouchana's 15-yard completion to Peterson on a fake punt, Great Falls quarterbacks were a combined 5-for-16 for 74 yards.

Tackles: Snake River - Aldous 1, Williams 1, Chadwick 1, Swatzenbarg 2, J. Harrison 3, Vassas 1, T.J. Bingham 4, C.Belnap 1, Phippen 2.5, Chidester 2 (1 sack), Beck 1, Gordan 4 (2 sacks), Bair 2, Kelley 3, Kennedy 2, K. Shawver 1 (1 sack), Goodwin 0.5, E.Christianson 1 (1 sack). Great Falls, Bush 1.5 (1/2 sack), Rohde 4, Duke 4, Garcia 1 (1 sack), Ouchana 3.5, Peterson 1-5, Hodgkin 1, Barton 3 (1/2 sack), Barrey 0.5, Thurber 1, Hailey 1, Jennings 2, Southon 1.

Interceptions: None.

Missed Field Goals:  None.

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