Avengers Torch the Blaze
by Tim Peterson
Published on April 13, 2008 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers
(Los Angeles) - The Avengers went on a 42-7 run from late in the second quarter through the third and cruised to a 79-62 win over Utah Saturday night before 14,861 at Staples Center.
Tim Hicks, in just his second career start, fired eight touchdown passes while completing 18-29 for 284 yards and no interceptions. Hicks did a good job of avoiding the Utah rush and finding receivers as he was sacked only once.
"We have a lot of great talent here and that makes it easier for me," Hicks said. "I feel good now that I have a couple of games under my belt. I feel confident as long as Coach has confidence in me. He draws up the plays and I just have to execute them."
The onslaught started late in the second quarter when Hicks hit LaShaun Ward on a 23 yard touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone with 45 seconds left in the half.
Utah then moved the ball down the field on the ensuing possession but the drive was stalled at the LA 23. The Blaze lined up for a field goal attempt with three seconds left in the half. The kick failed and Timon Marshall brought it back to the 25 yard line as the clock ran out. However a penalty was called on Utah extending the half by one play which turned out to be the biggest play of the contest.
David Davis came out to kick a field goal for LA. The kick was wide right, hit the net and bounced right into the waiting arms of Josh Jeffries at the three yard line who charged into the end zone for a touchdown. Instead of a 37-37 tie it was 44-34 Avengers at the break.
"It pumped us up. It was definitely a momentum changer," Hodgkiss said.
"You don't really expect the ball to just fall right into your hands but that's what happened. We really go back to basics this week. It was real important for us to get this victory," Jeffries said.
The Avengers stopped Utah on three of its four possessions in the third quarter while putting up four touchdowns of their own. Hicks connected with Clay Harrell for a five yard score and later came back to hook up with Ward for a 45 yard scoring strike.
Damen Wheeler picked off Utah quarterback Joe Germaine in the end zone on the next series and The Avenger offense immediately cashed in as Hicks linked up with Ward again on a 26 yard bomb to extend the lead to 24.
After another LA stop Lonnie Ford blasted in for a one yard score and the Avengers were up 72-41 at the end of three and clearly in control.
Utah scored the first two touchdowns of the fourth quarter but Marshall hauled in a 24 yard pass from Hicks late in the contest to end all doubt.
Marshall also returned a kick off 57 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. Hicks threw four touchdown passes in the first half including two to Ward. Ward had a huge night with seven receptions for 169 yards and four scores.
"He had a break out night," Hodgkiss said. "With two vertical receivers it really takes the pressure off of the offense."
Marshall caught five passes for 61 yards and a touchdown and J.R. Tolver had four receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown.
The Blaze, now 0-7, was able to hang with the Avengers until they were blitzed in the third quarter. Germaine finished the night 28 of 40 for 362 yards and nine scores. J.J. McKelvey was his favorite target catching 11 balls for 171 yards and five touchdowns.
LA snapped a four game losing steak with the victory and improved to 3-4. Next Saturday night the Avengers will be home to the Cleveland Gladiators.
UT 21 13 7 21 62
LA 23 21 28 7 79
PASSING: LA - Hicks 18-29-284-8-0. UT- Germaine 28-40-362-9-1.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 13, 2008
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- Arizona Snake One From The Storm, 63-62 - Tampa Bay Storm
- Rattlers Nip Storm, 63-62 - Arizona Rattlers
- Columbus Destroyers Downed By New York Dragons 62-44 - Columbus Destroyers
- Avengers Torch the Blaze - OSC Original by Tim Peterson
- Blaze Lose Division Contest On The Road, 79-62 - Utah Blaze
- San Jose Squanders 26-Point First Half Lead - San Jose SaberCats
- Soul's wild comeback tops San Jose - Philadelphia Soul
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