Capital Area DQ Gladiators are finding that the level of competition in the Maritime Football League might be a little overwhelming.

Gladiators lost for the second week in a row, 27-7, to the Halifax Shockers in their home opener Saturday at Leo Hayes High Field. Last week, the Gladiators were humbled 49-7 by Riverview Mustangs in Riverview.

It was a better effort this week, but the bottom line were the Gladiators could only muster seven points, that coming in the first half when quarterback Mark Belliveau found Andrew Hubbard in behind the Shockers secondary on a pass and run play covering 50 yards. The Justin Conn convert tied the game 7-7 at that point.

But that would prove to be the extent of the Gladiators' offence on this day, at least scoring wise. It wasn't from lack of opportunities, though.

Perhaps an omen of how the day would evolve for the Gladiators could be gleaned from the very first series. After taking the opening kickoff to their own 35, Glads QB Andrew Hickey directed a six-minute drive that put the ball inside the Halifax 10-yard line. Hickey connected with Hubbard on a pass to the one, however, the hit on Hubbard forced the ball loose, and the Shockers recovered. They would hold the ball for two plays until they fumbled, with Ben Thompson recovering the ball for the Glads on the Halifax four. But the Glads couldn't push it over from there, finally surrendering the ball on downs.

From his own five, Shockers' QB Chris Livingston engineered a drive that pushed the ball all the way down the field. The drive was culminated when Livingston found Dave Dehmel for the major from one yard out. Alan Wetmore made the convert.

Both Livingston and Dehmel would connect for another score late in the first half, putting them up 14-7. After the Glads were unable to move the ball utilizing the "hurry up'' offence, they were forced to punt with just seconds left in the first half. Shockers' punt returner Jamaal Edwards prompted returned the punt 60 yards for the major and even though the convert was missed, the Shockers suddenly had a 20-7 lead at the half.

Shockers utilized a punishing rushing attack in the second half, effectively eating up the clock. They would also score the lone TD of the half with Livingston finding Duncan Raymond on a 40-yard pass and run play for the major. Wetmore's convert made it the final, 27-7. Glads did manage to push the ball deep in the third quarter only to be stopped by a fumble. A fourth quarter drive ended on a Shockers interception on the five-yard line. There were a number of Gladiators penalties which factored into the final result as well.

Gladiators hit the road this coming Saturday, facing two-time Maritime champion Saint John Wanderers in the annual Peter Murray Memorial Game slated for Simonds High School field.

Moncton Marshals coach Dan Fougere is preaching patience.

He believes the Marshals will eventually be a contender in the Maritime Football League, but for the time being they face an uphill climb.

Saint John Wanderers blanked the Marshals 42-0 last night at Rocky Stone Memorial Field.

"Saint John plays tough football -- very tough football,'' Fougere said.

"They have an experienced team and we're the newcomers on the block in this league,'' the coach continued. "We're going to get better. It's going to take some time, but in a couple of years there's going to be a big difference in this team.''

Marshals have opened the season with an 0-2 record. Last night's game was the season-opener for the Wanderers.

Fougere said the Marshals showed some signs of improvement.

"On the positive side, we cut down on our penalties,'' he said. "I also thought the defence came up with a much better game.

"Offensively, we've got to find ways to move the ball. Once we start moving the ball, the rest of the game will come together and we'll be playing with a lot more confidence.''

Meanwhile, the Riverview Mustangs (1-0) return to action today when they visit the Dartmouth Knights (1-0). Mustangs opened their season last weekend with a 49-7 win over the Capital Area Gladiators of Fredericton.