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Delavan-Darien grad to lead Gladiators' new offense

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Mike Moyer of Delavan is being counted on for physical play in the Gladiators’ secondary.

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Delavan-Darien High School graduate Jeff Supernaw, right, throws a pass to Marchez Range during the Rock County Gladiators’ 10-6 preseason loss to the Kimberly Storm May 1 in Clinton.

Delavan-Darien High School graduate Jeff Supernaw leads the Gladiators' new spread offense as the 2010 season gets under way. Rock County Gladiators/photo.

JANESVILLE — The Rock County Gladiators are shaking things up this season.

New head coach Gary Koeberl is implementing a new pro-style offense and a zone-blocking scheme, two things that allow running backs more freedom and options.

“It’s not the Gladiators of 2009,” Koeberl said. “The 2010 Gladiators will look different, be different. We’re looking to put more of a ball-control offense in.

“Last year, from what I can gather, it was a lot of, just show up and scrimmage.”

The Gladiators, a 4-year-old semi-pro team in the 11-team Ironman Football League, also will rely on a new quarterback to run the offense this year.

Last year’s starter, Dan Roberts, is playing with the Wisconsin Wolfpack in the Continental Indoor Football League, so 2005 Delavan-Darien High School graduate Jeff Supernaw will be under center for the Gladiators.

“Jeff’s picking it up real well,” Koeberl said. “He brings a lot of experience and confidence. He understands the game and the position very, very well.”

Supernaw played with the IFL’s Burlington Blue Devils last year, so he is familiar with the league.

He’s also familiar with the type of offense the team will be running.

“I’m probably a little more used to a pro style,” Supernaw said. “In terms of learning everything, it’s just the verbiage.”

Koeberl said he was worried about the running back position, but his staff has been pleasantly surprised with its options thus far.

“I don’t know if we have an every-down back,” Koeberl said. “What we have is running back by committee. It keeps them all rested.”

Nick Niles of Janesville is in line to be the starter, Koeberl said.

“Nick’s a rumbler. He’s going to get you five, six, seven yards and he’s going to punish you,” Koeberl said. “He’s a linebacker playing running back. That’s the best way to describe his mentality and that’s why we like him.”

Tobias Tyler of Chicago, Jerrod Copper of Beloit and Nick Triggs of Milwaukee should get playing time as well.

Read the full story in the May 9, 2010 e-edition of Walworth County Sunday, HERE.