Avengers Suffer Sixth Straight Setback
by Tim Peterson
Published on April 30, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers
(Los Angeles) - Los Angeles scored just once in the first quarter and was shut out completely in the fourth and fell to Western Division rival San Jose 53-36 Saturday night before 11, 552 at Staples Center.
It was the sixth consecutive loss for the Avengers as they dropped to 3-11 on the year. The Sabercats improved to 8-6 with the win and remain tied for first place.
"It's hard to keep losing. It seems to be the same thing every time. Too many turnovers to win the game and we're not taking advantage of our opportunities," said Avenger Coach Ed Hodgkiss. "Defensively we caused a couple of fumbles but we didn't get on them. Offensively we're just not consistent and turning the ball over at inopportune times."
After the first quarter ended in a 7-7 tie, San Jose outscored LA 24-14 in the second quarter to take a ten point lead into halftime. Rob Turner caught a four yard pass from Sonny Cumbie to pull the Avengers even at 21 but San Jose countered with a nine yard run by Phil Glover to give San Jose a 28-21 lead with 28 seconds left in the half.
On the ensuing kick off Antoine Burns coughed up the ball and Ben Nelson fell on it at the LA eight yard line. Three plays later Brian Schmitz booted a 23 yard field goal as time expired for a 31-21 Sabercat lead.
"There was no doubt (that took the wind out of our sails.) You have to be even going in at halftime especially when they're getting the ball to start the second half," Hodgkiss said. "That put us behind the eight ball. You can't turn it over in this game."
San Jose scored on its first possession of the second half. Brain Johnson capped a six play 45 yard drive with a one yard run to put the Cats up 37-21. It was a deficit in which the Avengers could never recover.
Cumbie threw touchdown passes of 34 yards to Greg Hopkins and two yards to Turner in the second half. But each time San Jose had an answer. The Cats used nine plays to drive 45 yards for the last score to put the game on ice.
Cumbie completed 20 of 31 passes for 278 yards and four touchdowns but was hurt by two interceptions. Grieb was 21 of 38 for 263 and two scores and did not throw a pick.
The Avengers will try to right the ship in their last two games to gain some momentum going into next year.
"We need to end this thing on a positive note going into next year," Hodgkiss said.
"What it comes down to a lot of times is pride. I don't like losing regardless of what our record is," said Avenger back up quarterback/ special team's player Brain Mann. "Some times you get the feeling that the breaks aren't going our way or the refs aren't calling a great game but it's the kind of thing you make your own breaks. We're not getting clobbered out here and we're competing every week."
Passing: SJ- Grieb 21-38-263-2-0., LA - Cumbie 20-31-278-4-2.
Total Yards: SJ- 286, LA- 284.
SJ 7 24 13 9 53
LA 7 14 15 0 36
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 30, 2006
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