Avengers Game Notes
June 6, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Game: Los Angeles Avengers at Arizona Rattlers
Date: Monday, June 11, 2007
Kickoff: 7 p.m. (Pacific)
Site: U.S. Airways Center (16,321)
Television: ESPN2 (Mark Jones, Merril Hoge)
Radio: AM 570 KLAC (Isaac Lowenkron, Troy West)
Spanish Radio: KWKU 1220 AM (Edu Villamar, Mario Amaya)
Satellite Radio: Sirius (Channel 119)
Internet Radio: www.xtrasportsradio.com
Line: Arizona by 1 (over/under 110)
Series Record: Arizona leads 8-7
Last Meeting: Los Angeles 64, Arizona 45; April 6, 2007, STAPLES Center
Officials: Bill McCabe (R), Jeff Carr (U), Kelly Saalfield (HL), Dirk Bell (LJ), Keith Washington (BJ)
Head Coaches:
Los Angeles -- Ed Hodgkiss (sixth season, 50-41)
Arizona -- Gene Nudo (second season, 12-18)
THE AVENGERS:
Winners of four of their last six games, the Avengers are in the thick of the AFL playoff picture at 7-6. On Monday, June 11, Los Angeles could take a large step toward clinching a postseason berth if it can get past the Arizona Rattlers. Kickoff at U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix is set for 7 p.m. (PT) and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN2. The Avengers are currently in second place in the Western Division and fifth in the American Conference playoff standings. The Avengers are attempting to qualify for the AFL Playoffs for the fifth time in six years that Ed Hodgkiss has been the team's head coach. Los Angeles has lost four of its last five games on the road, primarily due to turnovers. All but three of L.A.'s 19 turnovers this season have come away from the friendly confines of STAPLES Center. Second-year quarterback Sonny Cumbie is 305-of-499 (61.1 percent) for 3,579 yards and 68 touchdowns, and has thrown just eight interceptions in 2007. After entering the 2006 campaign as the thirdstringer, Cumbie started the final 12 games of the season and earned AFL All-Rookie honors. Two of his main targets -- split end Kevin Ingram (leads the team in scoring, receptions and all-purpose yards) and slot receiver Lenzie Jackson -- are currently on the injured reserve list. That leaves flanker Rob Turner as a primary target, along with rookies LaShaun Ward, Terrence Stubbs and Nichiren Flowers. Ward had a breakout game three weeks ago in a 57-51 victory over Georgia, catching nine passes for 141 yards and four touchdowns. WR/LB Robert Quiroga, who has started the last seven games at "jack" linebacker, is also an offensive threat, especially in the red zone. Eight of his 15 receptions this season have been for touchdowns. Another vital offensive weapon is veteran fullback Lonnie Ford, who has rushed for 158 yards and 16 touchdowns (a new single-season team record). Defensively, the Avengers added a lot of new faces during the offseason and have shown the ability to play well, holding four opponents to 40 or less points so far this season. Earlier in the year, half of the eight starters on that side of the football were rookies. Defensive end Silas Demary, formerly the AFL's all-time single-season sack leader, spearheads a formidable front that includes second-year men Jason Stewart and Reggie Rhodes (that trio has combined for 13.5 sacks, 10 batted down passes, five fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles, one blocked kick and one interception). In the defensive backfield, safety Damen Wheeler (four INTs and 53 tackles) provides leadership to a group, which was struck by injuries in the middle of the season, forcing a trade for Eddie Canonico and the signing of Terrance Joseph.
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