Avengers Lose by a Foot, 55-54
by Tim Peterson
April 3, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers
(Orlando)- It was a missed extra point by Orlando that allowed the Los Angeles Avengers to stay alive but it was also a missed extra point by Remy Hamilton that led to LA's demise as they fell to the Predators 55-54 Sunday at the TD Waterhouse Centre.
The Predators had a chance to win it in regulation when Joe Hamilton hit Corey Fleming with seven seconds remaining in the contest to tie it at 48. But Brian Gowins shanked the point after to force the overtime.
In the extra session, Lonnie Ford bolted in from the one yard line on the Avengers' first possession to give LA a 54-48 advantage. John Kaleo had hit Tony Locke on a 28-yard strike to set up Ford's run. But Hamilton hit the goal post on the extra point attempt and the ball bounced to the turf.
Orlando immediately seized the opportunity like a hungry pit bull gobbles up a sirloin steak. Hamilton (Joe) found Jerrian James wide open down the right side for a 36-yard touchdown reception. Gowins banged in the extra point and bam! Predators Win!
The Avengers had fought back to take the lead after being down by 19 points. Greg Hopkins picked off two passes and LA made a huge defensive stand to get the Avengers back in the game.
The Avengers drew first blood when Kaleo hooked up with Locke on a 37-yard scoring pass for a 7-0 lead. The Predators grabbed their first lead late in the first quarter when Hamilton hit Fleming on a seven yard touchdown toss to put Orlando up 14-10.
Leading 28-16 in the third period, the Hamilton -Fleming connection clicked again. This time the Predator QB rifled a bullet to Fleming in the end zone for a 35-yard score and a 35-16 advantage.
Ford scored from seven yards out to cut the lead to 35-23 and after another Predator score Kaleo found Locke for a seven-yard touchdown to get the Avengers close at 42-33.
In the fourth quarter, Hopkins picked off a pass to set up a Kaleo score that sliced the lead to two. Ford broke off a 12-yard touchdown scamper put LA up by six with 28 seconds reaming in the contest but the Predators struck back to get even and eventually get the win.
For Orlando, Hamilton threw for 362 yards and seven touchdowns. Fleming had a huge day catching 11 passes for 159 yards and four TDs. Kaleo was 18 of 38 for 277 yards and two touchdowns
The Avengers fell to 5-4 with the loss and will return home next Sunday to take on the New York Dragons at Staples Center. Orlando improved to 7-3 with the victory.
LA 10 6 17 15 6 54
OR 14 14 14 6 7 55
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 3, 2005
- Pred upend Avengers in OT - Orlando Predators
- Harrell Sets Record as Crush Rolls - Colorado Crush
- Avengers Lose by a Foot, 55-54 - OSC Original by Tim Peterson
- Dragons can't finish against Rush - OSC Original by David Holusha
- Crush place Hunter on IR, activate Anderson, Pickens - Colorado Crush
- Rampage caged in second half, lose 40-27 - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Destroyers' comeback bid falls short - Columbus Destroyers
- Soul win franchise-record third straight game - Philadelphia Soul
- Kats scratch out victory in second half - Nashville Kats
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