Avengers Bite Rattlers in Arizona
by Tim Peterson
March 7, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers
(Phoenix, Az.)- John Kaleo hit Kevin Ingram on a 36 yard touchdown pass with 27 seconds remaining in the game to lead the Los Angeles Avengers to a stunning 33-29 victory over Arizona Sunday night at America West Arena.
The game was a stark contrast to most Arena Football League games as both teams struggled to find a rhythm offensively. The score was tied at 13 at halftime and the two teams combined for just seven touchdowns in the entire contest. That's usually a good quarter in most games.
The Avengers found themselves down 29-20 early in the fourth quarter before they began their comeback. Kaleo connected with Tony Locke on a 15 yard scoring strike with 8:58 left to cut the lead to 29-26. Locke was penalized for throwing the ball into the stands in celebration after the touchdown. As a result the ball was moved back ten yards and Remy Hamilton missed the extra point.
The Avengers' defense then stopped the Rattlers cold on eight consecutive plays inside the ten yard line. There were 12 stops total in the contest but this was the biggest of all. LA got the ball back, chewed up the clock and drove down the field before Kaleo hit Ingram with the game winner.
Arizona had one last shot but was unable to convert. Bonner's final attempt from the Rattler 25 fell incomplete off the nets in the back of the end zone and the Avengers road party was underway.
Arizona got on the board first when Bonner hooked up with former Avenger Siaha Burley on a six- yard touchdown pass for a 7-0 lead. Two Hamilton field goals got LA to within one before the Rattlers struck again in the second quarter. Phil Glover bulled into the end zone from five yards out for a 13-6 advantage.
The Avengers tied it with just over a minute left in the half. Kaleo did it himself carrying the ball across the goal line for a three yard touchdown.
LA took a 20-13 lead early in the third quarter when Kaleo hit Tony Wragge with a six yard bullet. However another run by Glover, and a sack of Kaleo had the Rattlers back in front 22-20.
The Bonner- Burley connection worked again for 26 yards early in the fourth to give Arizona a nine point advantage but the Avengers were able to recover.
Bonner threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns but was hurt by two interceptions. For the Avengers, Kaleo completed 21 of 37 for 239 yards and three scores. Greg Hopkins hauled in eight passes for 109 yards to lead the way.
It was the fifth straight loss for Arizona dropping them to 1-5 while LA improved to 4-2 with the victory.
LA 0 13 7 13 33
AZ 7 6 9 7 29
Passing: LA: Kaleo 21-37-239-3-0. AZ: Bonner 17-42-252-2-2.
Total Yards: LA- 239, AZ-257.
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