Avenger Rally Overcomes the Crush
by Tim Peterson
Published on March 20, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers
(Los Angeles)- The Los Angeles Avengers overcame a 16 point second quarter deficit and held on to beat the Colorado Crush 60-57 Sunday before 12, 276 at Staples Center.
The Crush, who are the defending Arena Football League champions and had won six of its first seven games coming in opened up a 35-19 lead with just under nine minutes remaining in the first half. Remy Hamilton booted a 32 yard field goal as the quarter ran out but LA still trailed by 13 at the half.
However the Avengers scored the first two touchdowns of the second half to grab the lead. The contest was a see-sew battle the rest of the way but the Avengers finally emerged victorious.
"They're (The Crush) the best team in the league. They're the defending world champs," said Avenger coach Ed Hodgkiss "But we hung in there and played hard. Now I know we can beat the best team in the league and we'll see how it works for us the rest of the year."
The Avengers took the opening kick off of the second half and immediately marched down the field. Antoine Burns returned the kick 36 yards down to the Colorado 21. After a 17 yard run by Lonnie Ford, Sonny Cumbie hit Kevin Ingram in the end zone for four yard touchdown pass.
On the next possession, Colorado's John Dutton facing a third down and 12 situation, fired a pass that was picked off by Antuan Simmons at the LA 13. Simmons weaved his way 37 yards for the touchdown and the Avengers had turned a 16 point deficit into a one point lead.
LA still trailed 49-46 late in the fourth quarter, when Hamilton's kick off bounced off the goal post and was recovered by Burns at the Crush one. From there Cumbie plunged into the end zone and with 2:39 left in the game, LA led 53-49.
It was the second time in the game that Hamilton's kick was recovered by the Avengers. Jemelle Cage recovered the opening kick off and two plays later, Ford scored from a yard out to give LA a 7-0 lead.
"I try to aim for the right upright every time," Hamilton said. "I usually have a slight fade and if I hit it right it will hit the right upright."
On the ensuing series, Dutton was intercepted again. This time Damen Wheeler turned the trick, stepping in front Dutton pass, batting it up in the air before corralling it and returning it back to the Crush eight yard line to seal the victory.
"We were in a man. I opened to the post and the receiver went corner," Wheeler said. "I made a quick turn and the ball was right there."
On the play Greg Hopkins laid a hospital hit on a block on Crush receiver Andy McCullough. After being down for about fifteen minutes McCullough was taken off the field on a stretcher.
Two plays later Ford barreled in from the two with 38 seconds left and it was all over except the final score.
"Right now the breaks are coming our way. We just capitalized on every opportunity we had to score. We're doing anything it takes to win football games right now," Ford said.
Dutton had led the Crush to the 13 point lead by throwing four first half scoring strikes. Three of them were to Damien Harrell, including a 45 yarder that put Colorado up 35-19. Harrell finished with nine catches for 169 yards and four touchdowns.
Cumbie threw for three touchdowns, two of them in the second half. His five yard toss to Tony Locke early in the fourth gave LA a 43 -42 lead.
"The only adjustment we made at halftime was to decide to come out and play a little harder," Cumbie said. "We needed to come out and play with the intensity we had last week against San Jose and just play harder" Cumbie completed 20 of 37 for 216 yards. He did throw a first half interception which led to a Colorado touchdown in the first quarter. However he avoided the turnover in the second half and it led to the win.
Ingram and Locke each had six receptions. Ingram scored twice and finished with 76 yards while Locke had one TD catch while racking up 56 yards.
The Avengers improved to 3-5 with the victory and have won their last two. They are on the road for the next four weeks and won't return home until April 21 against New York.
C 14 21 7 15 57
LA 10 12 14 24 60
Passing: C- Dutton 20-35-290-6-2. LA - Cumbie 20-37-216-3-1.
Total Yards: C- 295. LA- 229.
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- Avenger Rally Overcomes the Crush - OSC Original by Tim Peterson
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