Avengers Still Road Warriors, 48-33
by Tim Peterson - Mid Valley News
March 15, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers
(Grand Rapids)- The Los Angeles Avengers kept their perfect road record intact with a 48-33 victory over Grand Rapids Sunday before 7,236 at Van Andel Arena.
It was the Avengers third consecutive road win against two home losses. Tony Graziani had another nice outing with six touchdown passes and continued his string of games without an interception. Graziani has not thrown a pick all year in 158 attempts.
Grand Rapids quarterback Anthony Buich was not as fortunate as he was intercepted twice. Turnovers played big part in the game the Rampage turned the ball over four times overall, all coming in the first half.
The first one came in the first minute of the contest. Buich lost control of the ball and the Avengers fell on it at the Grand Rapids two yard line. Chris Jackson immediately took advantage with a rushing touchdown to put LA up 7-0. Jackson missed last week's game against Georgia but returned to have a big day.
The Rampage still trailed 20-13 after Buich hit Shawn Foreman on a nine yard touchdown pass with 4:03 left in the second quarter. The Avengers bounced back with a drive that culminated with a three yard strike from Graziani to Joe Douglas to give LA a 27-13 advantage at the half.
Graziani found his favorite target, Jackson, for a 33 yard scoring toss to open the third quarter and open up a 34-13 Avenger lead.
However the Rampage wasn't prepared to fold their tents. Buich snuck in from the one and then the Buich- Foreman connection struck again. This time the pass play covered 35 yards and when Foreman high stepped it into the end zone with 1:36 left in the third, LA's lead was down to 34-26.
For the Avengers Jackson has been their money man for the last two years and Sunday was no different. First Graziani hit him in the end zone for nine yard touchdown but it was his last TD that will go down in Arena Football League history.
With 2:30 left in the game Jackson flagged down a Graziani spiral in the left corner of the end zone just as he made contact with the sideline barrier. Jackson, who was motoring at full speed, flipped over the wall and completely out of sight. Seconds later, his hand rose above the boards still clutching the pigskin prize. Only then did the officials acknowledge the touchdown with raised arms.
The acrobatic catch not only gave the Avengers memories for years to come but also put a lid on the victory. Jackson finished the day with six receptions for 89 yards and three touchdowns.
LA continues their road trip next week as they pack their bags for Dallas while Grand Rapids (0-6) takes the week off before traveling to Indiana in search of their first win on March 26.
LA 7 20 7 14 - 48 GR 6 7 13 7 - 33
Passing; LA â Graziani 18-25-6-0, GR- Buich 20-38-248-4-2.
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- Avengers Still Road Warriors, 48-33 - OSC Original by Tim Peterson - Mid Valley News
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