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Los Angeles Avengers game notes

March 1, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Game: Los Angeles Avengers at Arizona Rattlers
Date: Sunday, March 6, 2005
Kickoff: 5 p.m. (Pacific)
Site: Phoenix, Ariz.
Arena: America West Arena (16,321)
Television: None
Radio: KTLK AM-1150 (Larry Kahn, Troy West)
Line: TBA
Series Record: Arizona leads, 7-3
Last Regular Season Meeting: Arizona 42, Los Angeles 38 – May 1, 2004, STAPLES Center
Last Meeting: Arizona 59, Los Angeles 42 – June 6, 2004, America West Arena (PLAYOFFS)
Officials: Bill LeMonnier (R), Mike Delaney (U), Allen Baynes (HL), Dana McKinzie (LJ), Billy Beckett (BJ)
Head Coaches:
Los Angeles -- Ed Hodgkiss (fourth season, 31-20)
Arizona -- Todd Shell (first season in Arizona, 47-40)

2005 AVENGERS: Gunning for their fourth consecutive trip to the AFL Playoffs, the Avengers have a decidedly different look and feel to them in 2005. Head coach Ed Hodgkiss still directs one of the league's finest offenses, averaging 51.6 points per game, so that hasn't changed much, just some of the names and faces. Veteran quarterback John Kaleo, who earned an ArenaBowl championship ring in 2003 with the Tampa Bay Storm, has thrown for 24 touchdowns, against only four interceptions and has provided the kind of leadership that only comes with your 12th year in the league. Leading the way for the receivers are "All-Arena" WR/DB Kevin Ingram and Greg Hopkins, who is one of the best WR/LBs in league history and the 2002 AFL "Ironman of the Year." Ingram has caught a team-high seven TD passes from Kaleo, while Hopkins leads the team in receptions with 32. Jerome Riley, who has seen time at both the offensive specialist and WR/LB spots, is L.A.'s long ball threat. He has caught 17 balls for 350 yards and five touchdowns, which translates into an AFL-leading 20.6 yards per reception. In their last two games, the Avengers got a boost from OS Tony Locke, who was signed from the practice squad just a day before the 71-69 victory over San Jose on Feb. 20. Locke burst upon the scene with three touchdown catches in the first half versus the SaberCats, earning "Offensive Player of the Game" honors. Second-year man Brian Sump, who caught two TD passes in the season opener, is Ingram's backup and has provided a great deal of energy off the bench. Los Angeles has perhaps the AFL's best pair of young FB/LBs in Lonnie Ford (No. 6 in the AFL in rushing with 69 yards) and Josh Jeffries (two rushing TDs in Week 2). At the OL/DL spots, Al Lucas, Silas Demary, Sean McNamara and free agent signee Fred Ray (currently on IR) provide veteran stability, while first-year linemen Tony Wragge, Richard Seals and Luis Almanzar have also made an impact up front. However, the biggest new addition for L.A. could be defensive coordinator Mike Wilpolt, the former head coach of the Indiana Firebirds. With Wilpolt overseeing a defense led by Lucas, Ford, Jeffries, Hopkins, Ingram and defensive specialists Damen Wheeler and Antuan Simmons (two interceptions and a fumble recovery for a TD), the Avengers have been considerably more difficult to score against than in the past. Last but certainly not least, the Avengers have a rock-solid kicker in Remy Hamilton, one of the AFL's all-time greats. He has kicked 15-of-16 field goals this season (converted on his first 11 attempts) and became the first kicker in AFL history to earn "U.S. Army Iroman of the Game" honors on Feb. 11, after kicking a career-high five field goals and making a key fumble recovery in a Week 3 victory at Austin.

LOS ANGELES AVENGERS (3-2)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 30 @ Las Vegas Loss 46-37
Feb. 4 Georgia Win 46-41
Feb. 11 @ Austin Win 64-51
Feb. 20 San Jose Win 71-69
Feb. 27 @ Colorado Loss 58-40
Rest of Season Opponent Time (PST) Television
Mar. 6 @ Arizona 5 p.m.
Mar. 18 Dallas 7:30
Mar. 26 Tampa Bay 7:30 FSN West
April 3 @ Orlando 9 a.m. NBC
April 10 New York Noon FSN West
April 17 @ Nashville 10 a.m. NBC
April 23 Chicago 7:30 FSN West 2
April 30 Arizona 7:30
May 7 @ San Jose 7:30 FSN West
May 14 Las Vegas 7:30 FSN West
May 21 @ Grand Rapids 4:30 FSN West 2

ARIZONA RATTLERS (1-4)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 28 @ Grand Rapids Win 58-38
Feb. 3 Orlando Loss 51-40
Feb. 12 @ Georgia Loss 61-47
Feb. 19 Colorado Loss 74-69
Feb. 27 @ New York Loss 61-37

THE SERIES: The Rattlers lead the all-time series 7-3, but that does not include a pair of playoff victories over the Avengers. Strangely enough, Los Angeles has fared better while on the road. All three of its victories over Arizona have come at America West Arena. The Avengers are actually on a two-game winning streak in Phoenix (regular season). Last year, the Avengers opened the 2004 campaign with an impressive 51-32 victory over the Rattlers at America West Arena. Arizona has won all five regular-season meetings at STAPLES Center, with two of the last three victories coming in overtime. On April 13, 2003, the two teams combined for an AFL-record 23 touchdowns as the Rattlers prevailed in OT, 82-76, in what was then the fourth-highest scoring game in league history.

All-Time Arizona vs. Los Angeles Series
Score Date Site
Rattlers 59, Avengers 42 (first-round playoff game) 6-6-04 Phoenix
Rattlers 42, Avengers 38 5-1-04 STAPLES
Avengers 51, Rattlers 32 2-8-04 Phoenix
Rattlers 70, Avengers 63 (second-round playoff game) 6-1-03 STAPLES
Avengers 63, Rattlers 49 5-4-03 Phoenix
Rattlers 82, Avengers 76 (OT) 4-13-03 STAPLES
Rattlers 52, Avengers 46 (OT) 7-6-02 STAPLES
Rattlers 63, Avengers 59 4-27-02 Phoenix
Avengers 54, Arizona 48 (OT) 6-23-01 Phoenix
Rattlers 49, Avengers 21 4-27-01 STAPLES
Rattlers 54, Avengers 51 6-10-00 STAPLES
Rattlers 55, Avengers 28 5-11-00 Phoenix


AVENGER HEAD COACH: One of the brightest offensive masterminds in the AFL, Ed Hodgkiss is in his fourth season as the head coach of the Avengers. In his three previous seasons, he compiled a record of 28-18 and advanced to the AFL Playoffs each year. In his first two seasons at the helm, he directed the Avengers to a 19-11 record. No head coach in league history has won more games in his first two seasons than Hodgkiss. Last season, the Avengers went 9-7 and led the AFL in scoring, averaging 56.5 points per game. Under Hodgkiss' direction, three major team records were broken as QB Tony Graziani threw 99 touchdown passes and OS Chris Jackson caught 125 passes for 1,803 yards. In 2003, the Avengers won a franchise-best 11 games and earned a first-round playoff bye. Hodgkiss, who was the runner-up for the 2003 AFL "Coach of the Year" award, oversaw the league's most efficient offense, which scored 122 touchdowns (most in the AFL) on only 619 total plays (least in the AFL). Particularly lethal through the air, the 2003 Avengers averaged a league-leading 13.8 yards per reception and Jackson tied an AFL record with 46 TD receptions, earning him the league's "Offensive Player of the Year" award. Hodgkiss became the head coach of the Avengers on Oct. 5, 2001, and signed a five-year contract extension shortly after a 2002 season that saw him adroitly pilot the team to an 8-6 mark and into the postseason for the first time in franchise history. In his first season as a head coach at any level, he instantly established the Avenger offense as one of the most feared in the AFL, scoring an average of 52.2 points per game. In addition, WR/LB Greg Hopkins took home the AFL's "Ironman of the Year" award that goes to the league's top two-way player. Prior to joining the Avengers, Hodgkiss was the Indiana Firebirds' offensive coordinator for three seasons (1999-2001).

NEXT GAME: After enjoying a week off (each AFL team has one bye during the 17-week season), the Avengers will return to the friendly confines of STAPLES Center as they take on the Dallas Desperados on Friday, March 18. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

YOUNG GUNS: Thirteen of the 26 players who have seen action for the Avengers this year (Luis Almanzar, Richard Seals, Jerome Stevens, Tony Wragge, Bernard Riley, Antuan Simmons, Jermaine Smith, Traco Rachal, Michale Spicer, Brian Sump, Lance Young, Asi Faoa and Rob Turner) have experienced their first taste of the AFL this season. Three other players have just one previous season of AFL experience under their belt (Jerome Riley, Josh Jeffries and Tony Locke).

QUICK-STRIKE OFFENSE: Eighteen of L.A.'s 31 offensive touchdowns this season have been scored on "drives" of three plays or less. In fact, four of them are one-play "drives." Over the course of the last three seasons, 156-of-272 Avenger TDs were of the quick-strike variety (47 on a single play).

Avenger Touchdown Drives (2003-05)
Total TDDrives Quick Strikes (percent) 1 Play Score
2003 124 81 (65 %) 25
2004 117 57 (49 %) 18
2005 31 18 (58 %) 4
Total 272 156 (57 %) 47

L.A. STORY: At 3-2, the Avengers are exactly where they have been for the past four seasons after five games. And in each of those three previous seasons (2002-04), Los Angeles won its sixth game of the season to improve to 4-2. In addition, all three of those "Game 6" victories came on the road. The Avengers had their most successful season in 2003, winning 11 games, including a five-game winning streak that began with a "Game 6" win at New York. After combining for eight victories in the franchise's first two seasons, L.A. had its first winning season in 2002, under the direction of head coach Ed Hodgkiss. Building upon each season from 2000 to 2003, the Avengers became the only team in AFL history to post four consecutive years of improvement. Last year, L.A. slipped to 9-7.

Avenger HistorySeason (head coach) Record
2000 (Stan Brock) 3-11
2001 (Stan Brock/Robert Lyles) 5-9
2002 (Ed Hodgkiss) 8-6 (playoffs 0-1)
2003 (Ed Hodgkiss) 11-5 (playoffs 0-1)
2004 (Ed Hodgkiss) 9-7 (playoffs 0-1)
2005 (Ed Hodgkiss) 3-2

LONG BALL SPECIALIST: Avenger WR/LB-OS Jerome Riley currently leads the AFL with an average of 20.6 yards per reception. He has 17 catches for 350 yards and five TDs this season. No other player in the league with 15 or more catches has an average above 17.8

TOP BOSSES: Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss is ranked sixth on the AFL's all-time winning percentage chart (regular season only, minimum 45 games, * active coaches).

All-Time AFL Top Winning Percentages
Head Coaches Record Winning %
1. Perry Moss 75-28-1 .726
2. Tim Marcum * 144-56 .720
3. Darren Arbet * 65-27 .707
4. Danny White 121-55 .688
5. Jay Gruden * 49-28 .636
6. Ed Hodgkiss * 31-20 .608
7. Pat Sperduto * 28-19 .596
8. Mike Dailey * 72-49 .595
9. John Gregory 67-51 .578
10. Todd Shell * 47-40 .540

KEEPING IT CLOSE: Only six of the 20 losses that Ed Hodgkiss has suffered as the head coach of the Avengers have been by more than seven points. He is 31-20 with the Avengers.

RARE DIP BELOW .500: Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss had never been at the helm of a team with a losing record until Los Angeles lost the 2005 season opener at Las Vegas (46-37), leaving the Avengers at 0-1. That broke a string of 46 games in which Hodgkiss had the Avengers at .500 or better.

SECRET IS SCORING 60: Dating back to last season, the Avengers are 7-0 when they scored 60 or more points. The team did not score more than 55 points in all seven of its losses in 2004 and its first defeat in the 2005 season opener at Las Vegas. The Avengers did manage to win two games last season without reaching the 60-point mark, but relied on defense in those contests -- shutting down Arizona, 51-32, and stopping Grand Rapids, 48-33.

NEAR THE TOP IN TURNOVERS AGAIN: The Avengers are currently second in the AFL in turnover margin at +6. Los Angeles leads the league with 13 takeaways (eight interceptions and five fumble recoveries). The Avengers have turned over the ball seven times this season, but only two times in their three victories (one fumble vs. Georgia, no turnovers at Austin, one interception vs. San Jose). In 16 games last season, the Avengers turned the ball over just 11 times (the fewest in the AFL) and played eight "turnover-free" games (however, L.A. was only 5-3 in those contests). The Avengers tied the Chicago Rush for an AFL-best turnover margin of +15 last season.

"IRONMAN" INGRAM: In his last 31 games, WR/DB Kevin Ingram has been selected as the "U.S. Army Ironman of the Game" nine times. L.A. won each of those games, which includes five wins in 2004.

ROAD WARRIOR: In his last 17 games away from STAPLES Center, WR/DB Kevin Ingram has caught 72 passes for 860 yards and 25 TDs. Despite playing alongside a constellation of AFL stars for much of his career, Ingram's contributions have not gone unnoticed, winning the "Ironman of the Game" award in six road games over the course of the previous two seasons, including three of eight in 2004.

AVENGER NEWCOMERS TO WATCH:

QB John Kaleo: The starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Storm during their 2003 ArenaBowl championship season, Kaleo was acquired by Los Angeles in a trade with the Austin Wranglers on Nov. 2, 2004. After four years with the Storm, he quarterbacked the Wranglers to an 8-8 record last season in their inaugural campaign. The Avengers are the ninth team Kaleo has played for in his 12 seasons in the AFL. He ranks among the all-time greats in league history with 27,341 passing yards (No. 5 on the AFL career chart), 449 TD passes (No. 5) and 2,267 completions (No. 5). Kaleo has also rushed for 44 scores in his AFL career. He signed a two-year free-agent contract with the Wranglers on Oct. 22, 2003, only four months after the Storm won ArenaBowl XVII. In 2004, Kaleo completed 352-of-565 for 4,020 yards and 80 touchdowns (with only 11 interceptions). He played against the Avengers last season, passing for 387 yards and seven scores, in an 81-70 loss at STAPLES Center.

OS Tony Locke: A speedy receiver who had a record-breaking season in arenafootball2 last year, Locke is in his first year with the Avengers and was signed from the practice squad just a day prior to scoring three first-half touchdowns in his L.A. debut, a 71-69 victory over San Jose on Feb. 20. He began the 2004 AFL season with the Columbus Destroyers, but played in only two games, catching five passes for 36 yards. After leaving the Destroyers, Locke joined af2's Albany Conquest and set a single-season team record with 43 touchdowns (39 receiving, three kickoff returns, one rushing). He also ranked second in the league in scoring and all-purpose yards. Locke also played in af2 during the 2003 season, catching 22 passes for 298 yards and five touchdowns for the Cincinnati Swarm, in addition to returning 21 kickoffs for 478 yards and two scores. A two-year letterman at Ohio State, he played in 20 games for the Buckeyes, seeing the majority of his action on special teams. After enrolling at Ohio State on an academic scholarship, Locke decided to walk-on to the Buckeye football team in the spring of 1998. He concluded his collegiate career on a football scholarship in 2000, and earned a biology degree (pre-med).

DS Antuan Simmons: A hard-hitting playmaker, Simmons had a spectacular AFL debut, intercepting two passes at Las Vegas. In the Week 2 win over Georgia, he recovered a fumble in the end zone for a key touchdown. He originally signed with the Avengers on Dec. 3, 2003, but did not join the team for the 2004 season, opting instead to train with the San Francisco 49ers. He signed a free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers following the 2002 NFL Draft, performed well in preseason games, but was released in the final cut. A year later, Simmons went through the same routine with the 49ers. He played in 10 games for the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe in 2003, finishing with 44 tackles, eight pass deflections, one INT and a kickoff return for a touchdown. In an outstanding and inspirational five-year career at USC, Simmons had a nose for the ball and a knack for the big play, coming up with 208 tackles and six blocked kicks. He also had nine INTs and returned three of them for scores. As a senior in 2001, Simmons was USC's captain and college football's "comeback player of the year," battling back from an abdominal tumor that hospitalized him for six weeks, stripped him of 40 pounds and nearly took his life three times.


KICKING UP A STORM: Not only does Avenger kicker Remy Hamilton lead the AFL in field goals (15), field-goal percentage (.938) and kicking points (72), he also has kicked more field goals in the first five weeks of play than eight other teams in the league combined -- Arizona 3, Dallas 3, Philadelphia 2, Orlando 2, Nashville 2, New York 1, Austin 1 and San Jose 0. Those eight teams had to attempt a total of 52 field goals to make 14 (.269). Hamilton only had to try 16 to make 15, including boots from 48 and 50 yards out.

KICKING COUNTS: Made field goals are often times considered as "stops" by AFL defenses, but the combination of eight teams that Remy Hamilton has out-kicked have a combined record of 17-21. The top seven AFL teams in terms of kicking points (Los Angeles, Colorado, New Orleans, Georgia, Dallas, Chicago and Tampa Bay) have converted on 45-of-67 field goal attempts (.672) and have a combined record of 22-12.


NEARLY PERFECT: The first five games of the 2005 season have been nothing short of amazing for Avenger kicker Remy Hamilton. He is a 15-for-16 on field goals this season and opened the year by hitting his first 11 three-pointers. Dating back to the end of last season, Hamilton converted on 12 consecutive field goal attempts, which is an all-time AFL record. Hamilton kicked a career-high five field goals to help the Avengers beat Austin, 64-51, on Feb. 11. Only three other players in AFL history have kicked more field goals in a single game and Hamilton's five were the most since Jason Wells booted five for the Dallas Desperados on June 16, 2002. Hamilton scored a total of 22 points in the victory at Austin and also came up with a key fumble recovery in the third quarter. For his efforts, he was selected as the "U.S. Army Ironman of the Game," becoming the first kicker in AFL history to earn that honor. In Week 2, he kicked four field goals and scored 16 points in a 46-41 victory over Georgia and was named the "Offensive Player of the Game." With 15 field goals already this season, Hamilton is on pace to break his personal single-season record of 19 (set during his rookie season with the Grand Rapids Rampage in 1998) and his own Avenger franchise record of 16 (set in 2002).

MAKING HIS POINTS: Avenger Remy Hamilton currently ranks at No. 3 on the AFL's all-time scoring by kickers and field goals made charts. He is one of five players in league history to boot over 100 field goals.

All-Time AFL Leaders –Scoring By Kickers
1. Mike Black (1993-2004) 1,253
2. Steve Videtich (Columbus) 1,146
3. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles) 949
4. Daron Alcorn (1997-2004) 770
5. Steve McLaughlin (1998-2004) 770

All-Time AFL Leaders –Field Goals Made
1. Mike Black (1993-2004) 178
2. Steve Videtich (Columbus) 147
3. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles) 119
4. Kenny Stucker (1994-99) 118
5. Daron Alcorn (1997-2004) 100

HOPPING UP THE CHARTS: With 10 catches for 100 yards in last week's loss at Colorado, Avenger WR/LB Greg Hopkins moved past Orlando's Cory Fleming into the fifth spot on the AFL's all-time receiving yards chart. He currently has gained 8,866 receiving yards in his 10-year career. Hopkins is one of only eight players in AFL history to have 8,000 or more receiving yards.

All-Time AFL Leaders –Receiving Yards
1. Barry Wagner (San Jose) 12,954
2. Eddie Brown (1994-2003) 12,730
3. Gary Compton (1992-2004) 10,247
4. George LaFrance (1988-2000) 9,004
5. Greg Hopkins (Los Angeles) 8,866
6. Cory Fleming (Orlando) 8,802
7. Hunkie Cooper (Arizona) 8,600
8. Calvin Schexnayder (San Jose) 8,377
9. Darryl Hammond (Nashville) 7,990
10. Stevie Thomas (1991-2001) 7,906

MILLENNIUM MEN: WR/LB Greg Hopkins ranks among the most productive pass catchers in the AFL since the dawning of the new millennium. Only former teammate Chris Jackson has had more receptions than Hopkins since the start of the 2000 season. The following chart lists the AFL's top receivers over the course of the last five seasons:

AFL's Top Pass Receivers – (2000-05)
Catches – Receiving Yards
2000-04 2005 Total
Chris Jackson(Rampage) 480 – 6,795(157 TDs) 30 - 387 510 – 7,182(164 TDs)
Greg Hopkins(Avengers) 466 – 5,633(116 TDs) 32 - 301 498 – 5,934(120 TDs)
Damian Harrell(Crush) 457 – 6,724(138 TDs) 40 – 542 497 – 7,266(154 TDs)
Mike Horacek(Dragons) 399 – 5,248(121 TDs) 18 - 244 417 – 5,492(128 TDs)

THE INTERCEPTION KING: In addition to being the AFL's 2002 "Ironman of the Year," WR/LB Greg Hopkins is the league's all-time leader in interception returns for touchdowns. Hopkins returned his 10th pick for a score last Sunday in the 71-69 victory over San Jose to join Orlando defensive specialist Kenny "The Glove" McEntyre at the top of AFL's career chart. On the record-tying play, Hopkins jumped to grab a pass from SaberCat quarterback Mark Grieb and returned it three yards for the touchdown that gave the Avengers their first lead of the game at 16-14.

All-Time AFL Leaders –Interception Returns for Touchdowns
Greg Hopkins (Los Angeles Avengers) 10
Kenny McEntyre (Orlando Predators) 10
Darryl Hammond (Nashville Kats) 8
Mark Ricks (1996-2004) 7
Hunkie Cooper (Arizona Rattlers) 7



AMONG THE GAME'S GREATS: Avenger quarterback John Kaleo rates alongside the best passers in AFL history. After throwing for 197 yards and five touchdowns in the season opener, he moved into fifth-place on the league's all-time chart for passing yards. Kaleo also ranks at No. 5 in completions and touchdowns. If he can throw 51 more touchdown passes this season, Kaleo would become the fifth player in AFL history to reach the 500 mark.

All-Time AFL Leaders –Passing Yards
1. Andy Kelly (New Orleans) 33,602
2. Aaron Garcia (New York) 31,417
3. Sherdrick Bonner (Arizona) 31,091
4. Clint Dolezel (Las Vegas) 29,633
5. John Kaleo (Los Angeles) 27,341
6. Todd Hammel (Chicago) 26,325

All-Time AFL Leaders –Passing Completions
1. Andy Kelly (New Orleans) 3,016
2. Clint Dolezel (Las Vegas) 2,497
2. Sherdrick Bonner (Arizona) 2,497
4. Aaron Garcia (New York) 2,439
5. John Kaleo (Los Angeles) 2,267
6. Todd Hammel (Chicago) 2,105

All-Time AFL Leaders –Passing Touchdowns
1. Aaron Garcia (New York) 655
2. Andy Kelly (New Orleans) 652
3. Sherdrick Bonner (Arizona) 621
4. Clint Dolezel (Las Vegas) 589
5. John Kaleo (Los Angeles) 449
6. Todd Hammel (Chicago) 409

Since Start of 2004 Season –Passing Touchdowns
1. Tony Graziani (L.A./Philadelphia) 129
2. Aaron Garcia (New York) 111
3. Andy Kelly (Detroit/New Orleans) 105
4. John Kaleo (Tampa Bay/L.A.) 104
5. Clint Dolezel (Las Vegas) 100

FIRST TIME IN 50: When John Kaleo took L.A.'s first offensive snap from center in the season opener at Las Vegas, it marked the first time in 50 games (since July 22, 2001), that somebody other than Tony Graziani was the Avenger starting quarterback. Since Wally Richardson started that game, a 62-40 loss at Oklahoma in the 2001 regular-season finale, Graziani had started 49 consecutive contests for the Avengers, including three playoff games.

ARENABOWL CHAMPIONS: Four Avenger players and a pair of coaches have experienced championship seasons in the AFL. QB John Kaleo and OL/DL Al Lucas earned ArenaBowl championship rings with the Tampa Bay Storm in 2003. As a rookie with the Orlando Predators in 2000, OL/DL Fred Ray hoisted the ArenaBowl trophy. WR/LB Greg Hopkins was with the Albany Firebirds when they won the AFL title in 1999; along with Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss, who was the Firebird offensive coordinator at the time, and L.A. defensive coordinator Mike Wilpolt, who was the defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator.
LAST GAME:

AVENGERS CRUSHED
IN DENVER, 58-40

DENVER (Feb. 27) -- Behind the unstoppable play of offensive specialist Damian Harrell and an effective red-zone defense, the Colorado Crush defeated the Avengers, 58-40, at the Pepsi Center.

Both teams ended the day at 3-2 and atop their respective divisions of the National Conference.

Harrell torched the Avengers for 10 catches for 135 yards and five touchdowns, earning "Offensive Player of the Game" honors.

"Harrell is a great player ... a difference maker," Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss said. "He is a guy you cannot simulate in practice, and we didn't do a good job covering man-to-man."

Crush QB John Dutton, who had little trouble finding Harrell or his other receivers throughout the day, was 23-of-30 for 282 yards and six touchdowns, with one interception.

Meanwhile, the Crush defense found a way to consistently frustrate the Avenger offense, holding L.A. scoreless on two trips to the red zone. Leading the way in that regard was Crush DS Rashad Floyd, who set an AFL single-game record with 17.5 tackles, breaking the old mark of 17, set by former Avenger DS Kevin Cobb in 2000.

Los Angeles QB John Kaleo completed 31-of-47 for 284 yards and five touchdowns, but threw a crucial interception on his first attempt of the game, which was returned for a touchdown by WR/LB Kevin McKenzie to put the Crush up, 14-0, less than four minutes into the game.

Once again, L.A. got off to a slow start and trailed at the half for the fourth time in five games this season. This time the Avengers were down, 37-20, after Crush kicker Clay Rush blasted an incredible 62-yard field goal (the second-longest in AFL history) at the intermission buzzer.

Aside from two short touchdown tosses from Kaleo to offensive specialist Tony Locke, the bright spot of the first half for the Avengers was a pair of field goals by Remy Hamilton, who is now 15-of-16 this season on his three-point attempts.

The Avengers looked like they were going to make a game of it in the third quarter when WR/LB Greg Hopkins caught a pass at the Colorado five-yard line and drove three Crush defenders with him into the end zone. Then, Avenger DS Damen Wheeler, fresh off injured reserve list, picked off a Dutton pass in the end zone, which led to an Avenger touchdown that brought Los Angeles to within three points at 37-34, with 6:48 left in the third quarter.

The comeback bid fizzled after an onside kick attempt failed and Dutton threw a quick strike to Harrell over the middle for his third touchdown, putting Colorado up 44-34.


LOS ANGELES (3-2) 7 13 14 6 -- 40
COLORADO (3-2) 21 16 7 14 -- 58


RECENT ROSTER MOVES:
Date Action Player
2/26 Signed from practice squad OL/DL Asi Faoa
2/26 Activated from injured reserve DS Damen Wheeler
2/26 Placed on injured reserve OL/DL Fred RayDS Traco Rachal
2/19 Signed from practice squad WR/DB-OS Tony Locke
2/19 Activated from injured reserve OL/DL Sean McNamara
2/19 Placed on injured reserve WR/LB-OS Rob TurnerOL/DL Bernard Riley
2/17 Signed to practice squad OL/DL Jerome StevensWR/LB Lance Young
2/10 Activated from injured reserve OL/DL Fred RayWR/LB-OS Rob Turner
2/10 Signed from practice squad DS Traco Rachal
2/10 Placed on injured reserve DS Jermaine Smith
2/10 Waived OL/DL Jerome StevensWR/LB Lance Young
2/3 Signed from practice squad OL/DL Bernard Riley
2/3 Placed on injured reserve OL/DL Sean McNamara
1/27 Signed to practice squad WR/DB-OS Tony LockeDS Traco RachalOL/DL Bernard Riley
1/22 Placed on injured reserve OS Khori IvyOL/DL Fred RayOL/DL John SchlechtWR/LB Rob TurnerQB Ryan Van DykeDS Damen Wheeler

L.A. IN O.T.: The Avengers have an all-time record of 3-4 in overtime games. Strangely enough, Los Angeles is a perfect 3-0 when playing the extra period on the road and a winless 0-4 within the usually friendly confines of STAPLES Center. In three of the seven overtime games, the Avenger opponent has been the Arizona Rattlers (L.A. is 1-2 in those contests). In all three overtime victories, Los Angeles won by six points and held the opponent scoreless (twice getting the ball on downs and once benefiting from a missed field goal). The Avengers have played in at least one overtime game in each of their previous five seasons of play in the AFL (once in 2000, 2002 and 2004, and twice in 2001 and 2003).

Avengers in OvertimeCategory Record
All-time 3-4
At home 0-4
On the road 3-0
When getting the ball first 1-2
When getting the ball second 2-2
When scoring a touchdown 3-2
When scoring first 3-1
When scoring second 0-1
When a field goal is attempted 0-2
When missing a PAT kick 1-1
When getting a two-point conversion 0-0
When allowing a two-point conversion 0-1

THE AVENGERS ARE ...
· 2-0 at STAPLES Center
· 1-2 on the road
· 2-0 when they score more than 50 points
· 2-0 when they score 60 or more points
· 1-0 when they score 70 or more points
· 2-2 when they allow less than 60 points
· 1-1 when they allow less than 50 points
· 0-0 when they allow less than 40 points
· 2-0 when they score first
· 3-0 when they commit fewer turnovers
· 0-0 when they commit more turnovers
· 1-0 when a player scores three or more touchdowns
· 1-0 when they score two or more TDs on the ground
· 2-2 when John Kaleo throws for at least 5 TDs
· 3-1 when John Kaleo passes for 200+ yards
· 1-0 when John Kaleo passes for 300+ yards
· 2-0 when John Kaleo doesn't throw an INT
· 2-0 when Kevin Ingram scores two or more TDs
· 1-1 when Kevin Ingram catches 6 or more passes
· 0-2 when Greg Hopkins scores two or more TDs
· 1-2 when Greg Hopkins catches six or more passes
· 1-0 when Josh Jeffries scores at least one TD
· 3-0 when Remy Hamilton scores at least 12 points
· 0-1 when Antuan Simmons makes at least one INT
· 1-2 when they commit fewer penalties
· 0-2 when they record at least one sack
· 0-0 when they go scoreless for at least one quarter
· 0-1 when they pitch a shutout in a quarter
· 2-0 when the game is decided by 7 or fewer points
· 1-0 when leading at halftime
· 2-2 when trailing at halftime


SLOW STARTERS: The Avengers have trailed their opponents at halftime in four of the first five games of the season -- 26-17 at Las Vegas; 27-24 vs. Georgia; 24-23 at Austin; and 37-20 at Colorado. Even in the one game they led at the intermission, the Avengers started slowly, scoring just three points in the first quarter versus San Jose. However, the Avengers exploded for 34 points in the second quarter and led 37-21 at halftime ... on their way to a 71-69 victory.

WHEELER CONTINUES HIS ROLL: Avenger defensive specialist Damen Wheeler, who returned to the lineup after a four-week stay on the injured reserve list (hamstring) and picked off one pass in last week's game at Colorado, has come up with eight interceptions in the last 13 games he has played in, dating back to the tail end of the 2003 season.

DS DEBUTS: Although the Avengers have used four defensive specialists in three different combos already this season, the production has been there. Three of the four Avenger DSs have come up with interceptions in their 2005 debuts. Rookie Antuan Simmons picked off two passes at Las Vegas in the season opener. In his first AFL game, Traco Rachal intercepted a pass at Austin in Week 3. And in Sunday's loss at Colorado, veteran Damen Wheeler, fresh off a stay on the injured reserve list, picked off John Dutton pass in the end zone to spark an Avenger comeback attempt. In 16 games last season, the Avengers lined up with eight different pairs of starting defensive specialists. Eight players started at one of the DS positions in 2004 and only Wheeler and Kevin Ingram, who is normally a WR/DB, remains with the club today.

PREVIOUS MEETING WITH RATTLERS:

ARIZONA ENDS
L.A.'S SEASON

PHOENIX, Ariz. (June 6, 2004) -- The Arizona Rattlers defeated the Avengers, 59-42, in an Arena Football League quarterfinal playoff game before 11,035 at America West Arena.

Rattler quarterback Sherdrick Bonner was 26-of-33 for 227 yards and six touchdowns.

Los Angeles, which came into the contest as the eighth and final seed, has yet to win a postseason contest in three tries. The Avengers' last two playoff losses have come at the hands of the Rattlers, who left STAPLES Center last year with a 70-63 victory.

Avenger quarterback Tony Graziani completed 25-of-37 for 297 yards and four touchdowns.

"It's really frustrating to end the season like this," said Graziani, who threw 99 touchdown passes during the regular season and was selected to the "All-Arena" first team. "All that work ... and you can't get it done in the end. We had too many mistakes against a good team and couldn't close it out. It's going to be a long off season."

Already leading, 38-27, late in the third quarter, Arizona defensive specialist Kelvin Hunter intercepted a Graziani pass intended for offensive specialist Chris Jackson. The Rattlers cashed that opportunity in with 13:27 remaining as FB/LB Bo Kelly slammed into the end zone from two yards out.

The Avengers got within striking distance after "All-Arena" WR/DB Kevin Ingram turned a medium-range pass into a 45-yard score, cutting the Rattlers lead to 45-34 with 10:02 remaining.

Two minutes later, Los Angeles defensive specialist Damen Wheeler intercepted a Bonner pass in the end zone, giving the Avengers new hope.

After FB/LB Kevin Clemens slammed into the end zone from two yards out and Jackson caught a two-point conversion pass from Graziani, the Avengers suddenly re-entered the game, trailing, 45-42, with 2:27 left on the clock.

However, former Avenger lineman Vince Amey recovered the ensuing onside kick attempt by Remy Hamilton. One play later, Bonner found WR/LB Tom Pace for an 11-yard touchdown to go back up by 10 points, 52-42.

Los Angeles got the football back at its own eight-yard line with 56 seconds remaining and drove into Rattler territory, but rookie WR/DB Henry Douglas fumbled the ball away to Arizona, ending the threat.

The Rattlers tacked on another touchdown in the final seconds with a 35-yard strike from Bonner to WR/DB Orshawante Bryant, who set an Arizona team record with 13 catches for 126 yards and three scores.

"Arizona was the better team today ... no doubt about it," Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss said. "We made too many mistakes out there."

Ingram opened the game with a 51-yard kickoff return for Los Angeles. Two plays later, FB/LB Lonnie Ford crashed into the end zone from a yard out to give the Avengers the early lead.

Arizona answered right back on the ensuing kickoff with a bit of one-upsmanship as OS Siaha Burly exploded on a 57-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

After Hamilton missed a 28-yard field goal, the Rattlers took their first lead on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Bonner to Burley. Nelson Garner's extra point put Arizona up, 14-7, with 4:17 left in the first quarter.

The Avengers tied the game for the second time on a screen pass from Graziani to Douglas, who exploded across the field from the left to right for an 18-yard score.

Arizona went back in front, 21-14, on a short scoring toss from Bonner to Bryant, who then forced Jackson to fumble on L.A.'s ensuing offensive drive. Rattler WR/DB Ricky Parker recovered the loose ball, but Arizona couldn't fully capitalize, settling for an 18-yard field goal by Nelson to go up, 24-14, with 7:34 left in the first half.

Los Angeles cut into the Rattler lead when Graziani fired a five-yard bullet to Jackson for a score, but Hamilton missed the PAT, leaving Arizona up, 24-20, 3:40 remaining until halftime. Both teams failed to score on their last two possessions of the first half.


LOS ANGELES (9-8, 0-1) 14 6 7 15 -- 42
ARIZONA (12-5, 1-0) 14 10 14 21 -- 59

TIGHT LOSSES: L.A.'s seven regular-season losses last year were by a combined total of 26 points.

IN THE ZONE OUT EAST: When the Avengers make three trips to the East Coast later this season, they shouldn't feel too uncomfortable. L.A. has won eight of its last 10 games in the Eastern Time Zone, including a thrilling 64-63 victory at Orlando in 2003 and 48-33 decision last year at Grand Rapids. The Avengers will make a return visit to Orlando on April 3, and then conclude the regular season with a trip to Grand Rapids on May 21. L.A. will also play at Nashville on April 17.

THIS WEEK IN THE AFL (all times Pacific):

WEEK 6
Friday, March 4
Austin at Las Vegas – 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 5
New Orleans at Dallas – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 6
Columbus at Georgia – 9 a.m.
San Jose at Orlando – 9 a.m.
New York at Philadelphia – 9 a.m.
Grand Rapids at Tampa Bay – 10 a.m.
Nashville at Chicago – 12 p.m.
Los Angeles at Arizona – 5 p.m.

NIFTY NICKNAMES: Several Avengers played college football at schools with interesting nicknames ... Kevin Ingram, West Chester (Pa.) University Golden Rams; Brian Mann, Dartmouth College Big Green; Sean McNamara, Pittsburg (Kan.) State University Gorillas and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College Golden Norsemen; Michale Spicer, Western Carolina University Catamounts; Brian Sump, Colorado School of Mines Orediggers and Rob Turner, Central Michigan University Chippewas.

THIRD-QUARTER KARMA: The final result of an Avenger game can often be predicted before the start of the fourth quarter. L.A. is 34-8 all-time when leading or tied after three quarters of play. Furthermore, in the "Ed Hodgkiss Era," the Avengers are 20-8 when they score two or more TDs in the third quarter. In games that the Avengers don't score at least two TDs in the third quarter, they are 11-12 since 2002.

"U.S. ARMY IRONMAN OF THE GAME": Voted on by the media, the award goes to the two-way player who best demonstrated the ideals of the AFL's style of ironman football.

Week Opp. Ironman of the Game
1 @ Las Vegas WR/DB Dameon Porter (L.V.)5 catches, 37 yards, 1 interception
2 Georgia WR/DB Brian Sump (L.A.)1 INT, 7 tackles, 4 receptions
3 @ Austin K Remy Hamilton (L.A.)5 field goals, fumble recovery
4 San Jose WR/LB Greg Hopkins (L.A.)5 catches, 49 yards, 2 INTs, 1 TD
5 @ Colo. WR/LB Kevin McKenzie (Colo.)2 catches, 1 INT return for TD

"ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME": Voted on by the media, the award goes to the player who was the most valuable to his team's defensive success in the game, win or lose.

Week Opp. Defensive Player of the Game
1 @ Las Vegas DS Antuan Simmons (L.A.)2 interceptions, 4 solo tackles
2 Georgia DS Antuan Simmons (L.A.)Fumble recovery for TD, 6 tackles
3 @ Austin DS Traco Rachal (L.A.)8 tackles, 1 interception
4 San Jose WR/LB Greg Hopkins (L.A.)2 INTs, 1 returned for TD, 3 stops
5 @Colo. DS Rashad Floyd (Colo.)17.5 tackles (new AFL record)

"OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME": Voted on by the media, the award goes to the player who was the most valuable to his team's offensive success in the game, win or lose.

Week Opp. Offensive Player of the Game
1 @ Las Vegas OS Marcus Nash (L.V.)7 catches, 116 yards, 1 touchdown
2 Georgia K Remy Hamilton (L.A.)4 field goals, 16 points, 1 tackle
3 @ Austin QB John Kaleo (L.A.)17-of-27, 240 yards, 5 TD passes
4 SanJose OS Tony Locke (L.A.)7 catches, 118 yards, 3 TDs
5 @Colo. OS Damian Harrell (Colo.)10 catches, 135 yards, 5 TDs

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