Big Day in Big D for Avengers
by Tim Peterson - Mid Valley News
Published on March 21, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers
(Dallas)-The Los Angeles jumped out to a 30-10 halftime lead and made it stand up in the second half for a 60-44 victory over the Dallas Desperados before 9,312 at American Airlines Center Sunday.
It was the fourth consecutive road win for LA (4-2) and it also snapped a five game winning streak for Dallas.
Avenger quarterback Tony Graziani continued his remarkable streak of games without an interception. Graziani is perfect in that category so far in 2004. He threw six touchdown passes, completing 21 of 33 for 251 yards.
Kevin Ingram caught a 21 yard touchdown pass from Graziani pass with just over seven minutes left in the first quarter to give LA a 10-0 lead.
Ingram and Graziani hooked up again late in the second period to give the Avengers the 20 point cushion heading into the locker room.
The Desperados tried to get back in the game in the third period but LA had an answer for every Dallas move. Will Pettis hauled in a 47 yard toss from Walter Church to cut the lead to 13 but the Avengers struck back with two scores.
Chris Jackson, who Graziani describes as his "money man", grabbed a six yard pass to put LA back up by three touchdowns. They opened it up on the next possession when Remy Hamilton booted his second field goal of the day. This one was from 19 yards out and LA was up 39-17.
Dallas got one back with 39 seconds remaining in the third on a 12-yard strike from Church to Bobby Sippio.
The teams traded scores in the final frame but it wasn't enough for Dallas. Church connected with Sippio twice more in the fourth. The last one coming with no time left on the clock. Sippio finished with six receptions for 76 yards and three touchdowns.
The Avengers sealed the deal in the fourth through the air and on the ground. Graziani hit Jackson again for a nine-yard score. Greg Hopkins and Lonnie Ford each had rushing touchdowns of one and five yards respectively.
Jackson caught eight balls for 79 yards and a pair of touchdowns while Ingram hauled in six for 83 yards and three scores.
The Avengers attempt to continue there road success next week as they travel to San Jose for a rematch with the Sabercats. They return home April 3 against Austin.
LA 10 20 9 21 - 60 Dal 0 10 14 20 - 44
Passing: LA- Graziani 21-33-251-6-0. D- Gauntt 9-19-108-1-1, Chruch 13-19-209-5-0.
Total Yards; LA- 266, D- 311.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 21, 2004
- Big Day in Big D for Avengers - OSC Original by Tim Peterson - Mid Valley News
- Avengers defeat Dallas Desperados, 60-44 - Los Angeles Avengers
- Chicago pounds Predators - Orlando Predators
- Carolina Ends Home Drought, 54-43 - Carolina Cobras
- Rush defense forces five turnovers, keys blowout - Chicago Rush
- SaberCats run over Gladiators, 79-62 - Las Vegas Gladiators
- SaberCats drop Gladiators, 79-62 - San Jose SaberCats
- Firebirds Dominate Force at Home, 73-36 - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Dragons continue surge in front of record crowd - OSC Original by David Holusha
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