Avengers Slain by Dragons
by Tim Peterson
Published on May 11, 2008 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers
(Los Angeles) - The Avengers battled back from a 21 point deficit only to fall short in the end in a 52-48 loss to New York Saturday night before 13,422 at Staples Center.
The Avengers had a shot at the victory when they moved ball down to the Dragon five yard line with seven seconds left but on second down Sonny Cumbie was intercepted in the end zone by Monty Montgomery to spell defeat.
Cumbie had replaced Tim Hicks in the second quarter who got off to a slow start throwing two interceptions.
LA was shut out in the first quarter as the Dragons jumped out to a 20-0 advantage. Early in the second quarter, Montgomery blocked Tyler Fredrickson's field goal attempt and Farou Adelekan scooped up the ball and rambled 34 yards for a touchdown to put New York up by 20.
Billy Parker picked off Hicks on the Avengers' first possession and returned it 20 yards for a 6-0 lead.
Cumbie came on to throw touchdown passes to Kevin Ingram and LaShaun Ward late in the second quarter as the Avengers went into halftime down 27-13.
Early in the third quarter the Dragons moved the ball down to the Avenger two yard line. Brandon Perkins sacked Aaron Garcia on third down and Ryan Riddle picked up the loose baggage and carried it 35 yards for a score to get LA within seven.
Later in the third Cumbie found Kevin Ingram in the end zone to get the Avengers even at 34.
On New York's next possession, Damen Wheeler intercepted a Garcia pass and brought it back to the two yard line. From there Michael Cobbins punched it in and LA had its first lead of the game at 41-34.
"Cumbie came in with a lot of confidence. He's good at throwing some of the underneath stuff and he was able to do that," said Avenger Coach Ed Hodgkiss.
The Dragons stopped LA late in the fourth and then took the lead when Garcia hit Kevin Swayne on a four yard scoring toss for a 52-48 advantage with 3:09 left.
The Avengers then mounted a drive which was halted by Montgomery's pick with two seconds left.
"I'm very discouraged. It's a lesson learned. You have to focus on every play," said Hodgkiss. "You just can' play good in a half. You have to play well the whole game."
Garcia finished the game 21-34 for 208 yards and six touchdowns with two interceptions. Cumbie was 13-20 for 134 yards and three scores and the one critical interception.
The Avengers fell to 4-7 on the year, two games behind first place San Jose. Next Monday night they will travel to Chicago to face the first place Rush.
"We have to play hard no matter where we play, either at home or on the road," Cumbie said.
"We just have to not turn the ball over. As long as we play mistake free football we are a good team," added Josh Jeffries.
NY 13 14 7 18 52
LA 0 13 28 7 48
PASSING: NY Garcia 21-34-208-6-2. LA Hicks 10-21-61-1-2, Cumbie 13-20-134-3-1.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 11, 2008
- Avengers Slain by Dragons - OSC Original by Tim Peterson
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