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Los Angeles Avengers Game Notes

May 7, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Game: Colorado Crush at Los Angeles Avengers
Date: Saturday, May 10, 2003
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Site: Los Angeles, California
Arena: STAPLES Center (17,932)
Television: Fox Sports Net 2 (Bill Macdonald, Artie Gigantino)
Radio: XTRA Sports 690 & 1150 (Larry Kahn, Ed Cunningham, Troy West)
Web Radio: http://www.xtrasportsradio.com
Series Record: Los Angeles leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: Los Angeles 59, Colorado 53 (overtime) -- Feb. 16, 2003, Pepsi Center
Officials: Riley Johnson (R), Rick DiBernado (U), Neil Brunner (HL), Paul Engelberts (LJ), Bud McCleskey (BJ)
Head Coaches: Los Angeles -- Ed Hodgkiss (second season, 18-10). Colorado -- Bob Beers (first season, 2- 12).

THE AVENGERS: With two regular-season games remaining and the 2003 AFL Playoffs looming, Los Angeles remains in contention for one of the first-round byes that go to the top four seeds. The Avengers currently occupy the No. 2 seed position and need just one more victory to sew up a free pass into the quarterfinals, where they would host a game at STAPLES Center on either May 31 or June 1. One of the most dangerous offensive teams in the league, the Avengers are averaging 64.1 points in their last seven games. L.A. has won two of its last three games, including Sunday's convincing 63-49 victory over the Arizona Rattlers. In his last nine games, quarterback Tony Graziani has thrown just two interceptions (and none in his last 166 attempts). The leading candidate for "AFL Offensive Player of the Year" honors in only his second full season at the helm of the Avengers, Graziani has thrown for a league-leading 89 touchdowns in 14 games. Incredibly, he throws for a score once every 3.12 completions (and 4.96 attempts). Offensive specialist Chris Jackson has been on the receiving end of 45 of those touchdown tosses and will set an AFL single-season record with two more. Another star pass catcher, WR/LB Greg Hopkins has recorded his fourth consecutive 1,000- yard season. The Avenger defense has also been playing well as of late, forcing 10 turnovers and allowing just 123 points in its last three outings.

THE CRUSH: With their overtime loss last week to the Orlando Predators, Colorado was officially eliminated from playoff contention in its inaugural season. Both Crush victories this season have come on the road, including a shocking upset of the top-seeded Tampa Bay Storm on April 20. Colorado, which is co-owned by former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway, ranks last in the league in scoring defense (61.0) and turnover margin (-27).

THE HEAD COACHES: One of the brightest offensive masterminds in the AFL and a prime candidate for "AFL Coach of the Year" honors, Ed Hodgkiss led the Avengers to a franchise-best 8-6 record and No. 5 seed in the AFL playoffs last season in his first year with the club. He became the head coach of the Avengers on Oct. 5, 2001, and signed a five-year contract extension shortly after the 2002 season. Not only did Hodgkiss lead the Avengers into the postseason for the first time in franchise history, he also instantly established the Avenger offense as one of the most feared in the AFL. In the final 2002 league statistics, the Avengers ranked at No. 2 in passing efficiency (115.0), No. 4 in total offense (275.6), No. 4 in rushing yards (20.8) and No. 5 in scoring (52.2). Prior to his arrival in L.A., Hodgkiss served as the offensive coordinator for the Indiana Firebirds for three seasons (1999-2001) ... Bob Beers was named head coach of the Colorado Crush on July 11, 2002. Beers has a background in coaching and scouting that spans more than 30 years. Most recently he served as a college scout for the Denver Broncos. He has had two stints as a professional head coach, with the Frankfurt Galaxy (1990-92) and Amsterdam Admirals (1995) of NFL Europe. He spent three years (1993-95) as the head coach of Western Montana and was twice named Coach of the Year in the Frontier Conference (1993-94). Beers also coached at Montana Tech (1972-74) and his alma mater Montana (1970-71, 1986-90).

THE SERIES: Los Angeles leads the series, 1-0, after defeating Colorado in Denver on Feb. 16. The Avengers won in overtime, 59-53, as quarterback Tony Graziani hit WR/LB Greg Hopkins from 21 yards out for the winning score.

THE NEXT GAME: The Avengers travel to San Jose for the final game of the regular season on Saturday, May 17. The Western Division championship and a top seed for the 2003 AFL Playoffs could be on the line. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. and be televised by Fox Sports Net 2.

QUICK STRIKE OFFENSE: Seventy-five of L.A.'s 115 offensive touchdowns this season have been scored on "drives" of three plays or less. In fact, 22 of them have been one-play "drives," including 10 touchdown catches by offensive specialist Chris Jackson. Ironically, two of the 40 "long" drives are the six-play, 13-yard gamewinning march in the victory over San Jose that consumed 25 of the final 26 seconds (Feb. 9) and the eight-play, 30- yard touchdown drive that killed off the final 34 seconds at New York (March 9). The Avengers have scored on two "zero-play drives" this season. The first one came on a net recovery by WR/DB Siaha Burley while covering a kickoff in the victory at Colorado (Feb. 23). Against Indiana (March 16), OL/DL Mike Ulufale recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown.

DEFENDING THE HOME FRONT: In the "Ed Hodgkiss Era," which began at the beginning of the 2002 season, the Avengers have been particularly stingy on defense at home, allowing just 46.4 points per game at STAPLES Center (649 points in 14 games).

STEADY IMPROVMENT: With two games remaining, the Avengers have already established a new high for regularseason victories with 10. After combining for eight wins in the franchise's first two seasons, Los Angeles had its first winning season in 2002.

THE "IF" SECTION:

If the Avengers defeat the Crush, it would ...
- Clinch a first-round bye and quarterfinal playoff game at STAPLES Center on May 31 or June 1
- Assure the Avengers of remaining in first place in the Western Division
- Give the Avengers a 15-6 record in their last 21 regular-season games, dating back to last season
- Be L.A.'s fifth victory in as many games televised on Fox Sports Net 2 this season

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss on what a convincing victory over Arizona does for his team: "It gives us confidence to know that if we play well we're a pretty tough team to beat. It proves that if we play at that level we can beat anybody in this league. Arizona has had our number in the past, so it gives us confidence that we have enough talent to can come out on top."

Hodgkiss on the continued improvement of the defense: "They have come up big all year in crucial situations. They did a good job early against Arizona and we got a comfortable lead. Our front guys got more pressure on (Arizona quarterback Sherdrick) Bonner than he's had in a long time. They have been staying healthy and I have more confidence as the guys in the secondary have continued to get better. We still have more room for growth."

Hodgkiss on the AFL regular season being extended from 14 games to 16 game this season: "It's still yet to be seen. We would be starting the playoffs this week. So, I haven't experienced it. We have acquired some depth and those guys have played well. I anticipate it will affect a team's health. The healthiest team will have an advantage."

Hodgkiss on the Colorado Crush: "They have beaten the No. 1 seed and taken two of the other three top seeds to overtime. They are very good at the offensive skill positions and they have a good pass rush. That combination makes them pretty dangerous. We are not taking them lightly. We have the motivation of clinching the bye week and we know it took overtime to beat them last time."

HEART-STOPPING HEROICS: Four of L.A.'s 10 victories in 2003 have come on the final play of the game. On Feb. 9, the Avengers defeated the San Jose SaberCats, 73-72, on a one-yard touchdown blast by FB/LB Mathias Vavao and a two-point conversion pass from Tony Graziani to WR/LB Greg Hopkins with one second left. The following week in a game on the road against the Colorado Crush, L.A. forced overtime with a field goal by Remy Hamilton on the final play of regulation and then won on a TD pass from Graziani to Hopkins. On March 9, the Avengers defeated the New York Dragons, 65-61, on a one-yard touchdown run by FB/LB Kevin Clemens with no time remaining. Their most amazing victory of the season came on March 30, at Orlando, as the Avengers rallied from a 12-point deficit in the final 35 seconds to defeat the Predators, 64-63. The "miracle" occurred as Graziani hit offensive specialist Chris Jackson to cut the lead to five with 19 seconds remaining and defensive specialist Cornelius Coe recovered an onside kick five seconds later. That set up another Graziani-to-Hopkins gamewinning TD on a "Hail Mary" pass off the rebound net as time expired. Three of L.A.'s four losses have also come in the final seconds (at Chicago on Feb. 23, vs. Arizona on April 13, and at Dallas on April 27).

AMONG THE LEAGUE'S HOTTEST: Winners in seven of their last nine, the Avengers are now 14-6 in their past 20 regular-season games. Only the defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose SaberCats, who are 15-5, own a better mark over that span of time. After winning four games in a row, the Orlando Predators are also 14-6.

THE TOUCHDOWN MAKER: Offensive specialist Chris Jackson has scored at least one touchdown in every game he has played in for the Avengers. In 47 games, Jackson has accounted for 117 TDs. All but five of those scores came as a pass receiver. Jackson's other touchdowns were as a runner, kickoff returner and three as a passer. He has caught a touchdown pass in all but one of his games with the Avengers (June 8, 2002, vs. San Jose), but in that contest he ran back the opening kickoff 51 yards for a score, keeping "The Streak" alive.

Jackson is L.A.'s all-time leading receiver and scorer. He has racked up 348 receptions for 4,844 yards and has scored 692 points in his four-year Avenger career. "Touchdown" Eddie Brown of the Indiana Firebirds is believed to be the AFL's record holder for touchdowns in consecutive games, with scores in 65 straight. But, no player in AFL history has scored touchdowns in more consecutive games to begin a career than Jackson.

RECORD "D" DAY: The Avengers came into their game against Buffalo (April 18), allowing 54.4 points per game, but held the Destroyers to 14 points, establishing a new team record. That eclipsed the record set earlier in the season, when the Avengers held the Indiana Firebirds to 20 points on March 16. The 24 points allowed by the Avengers in their victory over the Tampa Bay Storm on May 17, 2002, had been the all-time best for the L.A. defense at home. It surpassed the effort in the 2002 season opener, which saw the Avengers defeat the New York Dragons, 43-25, on April 19, 2002, which was Ed Hodgkiss' first game as the Avenger head coach.

WELL BALANCED: The Avengers are the only team in the AFL to have four players with more than 1,000 allpurpose yards this season. Offensive specialist Chris Jackson (1,612), WR/DB Kevin Ingram (1,129), WR/DB Siaha Burley (1,101) and WR/LB Greg Hopkins (1,071) have combined for 4,913 yards in 14 games this season (the equivalent of 2.8 miles). Only four other AFL teams (Arizona, Dallas, Grand Rapids and San Jose) are even close, with three players over 1,000 all-purpose yards.

ALL-PURPOSE AVENGER: Over the past three seasons, L.A.'s new offensive weapon Siaha Burley has racked up the most all-purpose yards in the league (5,648). That yardage is the equivalent of 3.2 miles. Acquired in a trade with the Orlando Predators, Burley moves to the WR/DB position (he was primarily an offensive specialist with the Predators). His single-game high as an Avenger came against his former team, as he racked up 169 all-purpose yards in L.A.'s victory at Orlando on March 30.

PLAYING SMART: The Avengers are the AFL's least penalized team, averaging just five flags per game (29.6 yards). This brings a smile to the face of head coach Ed Hodgkiss, whose motto is "Play Hard, Play Smart." L.A. was especially sharp in the season opener on Feb. 2, getting called for only two penalties for a loss of just a yard, establishing a pair of new team records.

HOT TICKET: Four of the five largest crowds to ever see the Avengers play have come this season. In consecutive games (Feb. 16, at Colorado and Feb. 23, at Chicago), the Avengers played before their two largest crowds in franchise history. The Avengers are averaging 13,182 fans at home this season in seven games at STAPLES Center.

TEN WINS: The last professional football team in the Los Angeles area to win 10 or more regular-season games was the 1990 Los Angeles Raiders, who went 12-4 before advancing to the AFC Championship game. (The Los Angeles Rams went 11-5 in 1989, before reaching the NFC Championship game.)

BIG MEN CAN CATCH: While L.A.'s well-known receivers get all the headlines, five Avenger linemen -- Mathias Vavao (converted into a fullback/linebacker), Tony Plantin, Vince Amey, John DeWitt and La'Zerius White -- have quietly made a "heavy" impact in the passing game since the beginning of last season. Those five players, who weigh a combined 1,520 pounds, have caught a total of 25 passes for 324 yards in the past 28 games. That's an average of 13.0 yards per reception for the "big men." This statistical comparison will forever be known as "The Arthur D. Gigantino Key to Success" in honor of Avenger Fox Sports Net 2 color commentator Artie Gigantino, who has been known to say, "Throwing to those big guys always works."

RECORD SETTING SIGNALCALLER: Quarterback Tony Graziani has set 14 team records during his three-year career with the Avengers. Here is a complete list of his team passing records:
Yards (season) – 3,819 (2003)
Yards (career) – 7,649 (2001-03)
Touchdowns (season) – 89 (2003)
Touchdowns (career) – 163 (2001-03)
Completions (game) – 28 (April 27, 2003)
Completions (season) – 282 (2002)
Completions (career) – 583 (2001-03)
Attempts (season) – 467 (2002)
Attempts (career) – 945 (2001-03)
Completion percentage (season) – 60.3 (2002)
Passing rating (game) – 158.3 (Feb. 2, 2003)
Passing rating (season) – 115.8 (2002)
300-yard passing games (career) – 9 (2001-03)
Longest pass – 49 yards (April 27, 2002)

LONG SUNDAY DRIVE: The Avengers put together what might have been the longest drive in the history of the Arena Football League versus the Indiana Firebirds on March 16, using 17 plays to march 47 yards. The touchdown drive consumed an incredible 10 minutes and 14 seconds. Furthermore, 11 plays occurred after L.A. reached Indiana's one-yard line.

EARLY FIREWORKS: In addition to late-game heroics (four victories on the final play of the game in 2003), the Avengers have also been good at the start, scoring on their first offensive snap of the game four times this season -- in the season opener against Las Vegas (Feb. 2, Chris Jackson), at Chicago (Feb. 23, Kevin Ingram), at Indiana (March 16, Jackson) and against Carolina (April 4, Jackson). On April 4 against Carolina, the Avengers scored touchdowns on their first three offensive plays, the other two going to WR/LB Greg Hopkins.

THE MILLENNIUM'S FINEST: Offensive specialist Chris Jackson and WR/LB Greg Hopkins are not only L.A.'s top pass catchers, they're also among the most productive in the AFL since the dawning of the new millennium. Jackson ranks second with 348 for 4,844 and Hopkins is third with a grand total of 393 receptions for 4,841 yards since the 2000 season.

BLOWING PAST THE CENTURY MARK: With six more touchdowns in Sunday's victory over the Arizona Rattlers, offensive specialist Chris Jackson has scored 114 touchdowns in his 47-game AFL career. Only 16 other players in AFL history, including teammate Greg Hopkins (166), are members of the "Century Club." ("C.J." has also passed for three touchdowns, all this season, but they don't count in his official scoring totals.)

Top Scorers in Avenger History
Player TDs Points
Chris Jackson (2000-present) 114 692
Greg Hopkins (2002-present) 58 352
Remy Hamilton (2002-present) 0 265
Travis Hannah (2000-01) 27 162

THE ORIGINAL AVENGER: Offensive specialist Chris Jackson is the only player on L.A.'s 2003 roster who played for the Avengers in their inaugural 2000 season (he was an WR/LB at the time).

ARENABOWL CHAMPION AVENGERS: Three Avenger players and a pair of coaches own a total of seven ArenaBowl world championship rings. Lineman Mike Ulufale was a key member of the San Jose SaberCats team that won ArenaBowl XVI in a rout last year. WR/LB Greg Hopkins was with the Albany Firebirds when they took the title in 1999; along with Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss, who was the Firebird offensive coordinator at the time. Recently acquired FB/LB Rick Hamilton won two titles while with the Orlando Predators in 1998 and 2000. Avenger defensive coordinator Doug Kay has been part of two ArenaBowl championship teams. He was the defensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Storm when they won the title in 1993, and then got his second championship ring in 1997 while working with the Arizona Rattlers in the same capacity.

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