LA Knows the Way Through San Jose
by Tim Peterson
May 9, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers
(San Jose)- Tony Locke caught five touchdown passes to pace the offense and Kevin Ingram picked off three passes to lead the defense as the Los Angeles Avengers defeated the defending Arena Bowl champion San Jose Sabercats 54-42 Saturday night at HP Pavilion.
The win was huge for the Avengers as they improved to 9-5 but more importantly, took over sole possession of first place in the Western Division. The Avengers swept the two game season series with San Jose for the first time ever and it was their third straight victory overall.
The Sabercats, who trailed for most of the contest, took over possession of the ball on their own ten yard line with just 35 seconds left in the game trailing 48-42. But Ingram stepped in front of a Mark Grieb pass and returned it seven yards for the touchdown to seal the victory.
The Avengers defense had the San Jose offense off balance all night by forcing the Cats into four turnovers and four sacks. The Sabercats came into the game averaging over 61 points a game but scored only seven in the first half.
Bernard Riley sacked Grieb in the first quarter with the game tied at seven to set up the go ahead scored. The Avengers took advantage when John Kaleo connected with Greg Hopkins on a touchdown pass to give LA a 14-7 lead.
The Avengers later stopped San Jose on downs and Kaleo and Hopkins hooked up again for a 21-7 halftime advantage.
Locke went to work in the third quarter hauling in three touchdown receptions from Kaleo as LA tried to break the game open. On the Avengers first series of the third, Kaleo found Locke wide open over the middle for a 38-yard score. Locke faked his way behind the entire Sabercat secondary for a 28-7 lead.
San Jose cut the lead to 28-21 but then Locke burned them again. This time he corralled a 30-yard strike from Kaleo for a 35-21 lead.
Still clinging to a 35-28 lead, Kaleo looked for his favorite target again. From his own five yard line, Kaleo faded back and fired a bullet to Locke who caught it in stride and raced to pay dirt for the 45-yard score with 1:22 left in the third period. Kaleo threw seven touchdown passes overall as he completed 17 of 31 for 261 yards. He did not throw an interception.
The Cats got within six again late in the fourth before Ingram's big play saved the day.
The Avengers will have a chance to clinch the division title next Saturday night with a victory over Las Vegas at Staples Center.
LA 7 14 21 12 54
SJ 7 0 21 14 42
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- LA Knows the Way Through San Jose - OSC Original by Tim Peterson
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