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Defense Rests, Avengers Win a Wild One

by Tim Peterson - Mid Valley News
April 4, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Austin Wranglers


(Los Angeles)- In a game where the word "defense" was foreign to both teams the Los Angeles Avengers had a record breaking day in a 81-70 win over the Austin Wranglers Saturday night before 13,996 at Staples Center.

The 81 points was the most ever scored by the Avengers franchise, eclipsing a previous total of 76. Receiver Chris Jackson caught seven touchdown passes and scored 44 points, both team records.

In the Arena Football League, offense is usually the story but Saturday it was taken to the next level. Consider these numbers. There was a total of 22 touchdowns scored combined, 12 by the Avengers, and a combination of 151 points, the 11the highest total in AFL history.

There were 829 total yards, 807 through the air. In the fourth quarter alone, there were a total of seven touchdowns, four by LA.

"It was one of those games where everything was back and forth and back and forth," said Avengers Coach Ed Hodgkiss. "Tony (Graziani) and Chris (Jackson) played really well. Chris was in man coverage and that's what he excels against."

There were also two kicks returned for touchdowns on back to back series by the Avengers' speed burner Henry Douglas early in the third quarter. The first was a kick off that Douglas fielded at the goal line, found a seam and returned it 56 yards for a touchdown.

On the ensuing possession, The Wranglers were stopped and attempted a 49 yard field goal. The kick was short, Douglas caught it, broke to the outside and was gone for another score. The second touchdown put LA up 48-33.

"I don't think that has ever happened here in LA," Hodgkiss said of the consecutive returns. "He's fast. That's the main reason we signed him. He's an electric player. It was fantastic."

The Avengers took a 34-27 lead into halftime. Graziani had hooked up with Jackson three times already for scores and Greg Hopkins caught a 31 yard pass as well for LA's first touchdown.

Austin kept pace on the strength of quarterback John Kaleos' right arm. He tossed three touchdown passes in the first half including a 45 yard strike to Tacoma Fontaine

In the second half the teams continued to trade touchdowns but Douglas two kick returns gave LA some separation. Jackson hauled in four more TD catches in the second half, including a one handed grab in the back of the end zone that had the crowd on its collective feet.

"That's why he was the player of the year last season," said Graziani. "He made a play for me and it was a great outstanding catch."

Greg Hopkins interception late in the fourth period was the stop the Avengers needed to finally put the game away. Graziani finished 19 of 25 for 332 yards and eight touchdowns and no interceptions. He has only thrown one pick all year.

Kaleo completed 29 of 40 for 387 yards and seven scores but he did have the one costly interception.

The win was the first home victory for the Avengers as they improved to 5-3, while Austin dropped to 5-3 with the loss. The game marked the half way point for both teams.

"Offensively we're doing well. We're taking what the defense gives us so I'm happy where we are right now," Graziani added. 

Austin        6  21  21  22   -   70
Los Angeles  14  20  21  26   -   81

Passing: A- Kaleo 29-40-387-7-1, Bobby Pesavento 4-4-88-0-0. LA- Graziani 19-25-332-8-0.

Total Yards: A- 477, LA- 352.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 4, 2004


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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