Los Angeles Avengers game notes

Published on March 22, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Game: Tampa Bay Storm at Los Angeles Avengers
Date: Saturday, March 26, 2005
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Site: Los Angeles, Calif.
Arena: STAPLES Center (17,942)
Television: FSN West, INHD (Bill Macdonald, John Jackson, Lindsay Soto)
Radio: XTRA Sports AM 570 (Larry Kahn, Troy West)
Giveaway Item: The first 5,000 fans will receive a limited-edition Avenger "GUMBY" action figure
Line: TBA
Series Record: Tied, 1-1 (regular season only)
Last Meeting: Tampa Bay 63, Los Angeles 55 -- May 9, 2004, St. Pete Times Forum
Officials: David Lambros (R), Al Granado (U), Mike McCabe (HL), Brian Matthew (LJ), David Cutaia (BJ)
Head Coaches:
Los Angeles -- Ed Hodgkiss (fourth season, 32-21)
Tampa Bay -- Tim Marcum (17th season, 146-57)

2005 AVENGERS: Gunning for their fourth consecutive trip to the AFL Playoffs, the Avengers (4-3) enter Week 9 a half-game behind the Western Division-leading Las Vegas Gladiators (5-3). The all-important division race is shaping up to be a thriller as the defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose SaberCats also have the same record as Los Angeles. Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss directs a dangerous quick-strike offense, averaging 48.7 points per game. Veteran QB John Kaleo, who earned an ArenaBowl championship ring in 2003 with the Tampa Bay Storm, has thrown for 34 touchdowns, against only five 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 11 TD passes, while Hopkins leads the team in receptions with 42 (for 444 yards and four scores). The Avengers have gotten a boost from OS Tony Locke, who debuted with three touchdown catches in the first half versus the SaberCats on Feb. 20, earning "Offensive Player of the Game" honors. Locke has caught at least one TD pass in every game he has played in this season and has accumulated 26 receptions for 310 yards and seven scores. L.A. has perhaps the AFL's best pair of young FB/LBs in Lonnie Ford (leads team with 72 rushing yards and averages 5.1 yards per carry) and Josh Jeffries (three tackles for loss and one interception). At the OL/DL spots, Al Lucas, Silas Demary, Sean McNamara and Fred Ray provide veteran stability, while first-year linemen Tony Wragge, Richard Seals, Luis Almanzar and John Schlecht 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 unit led by defensive specialists Damen Wheeler and Antuan Simmons (leads the team with 39 tackles and six pass breakups) the Avengers have been 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 18-of-21 field goals this season (converted his first 11 attempts to set a new league record) and became the first kicker in AFL history to earn "U.S. Army Iroman of the Game" honors, after kicking a career-high five field goals and making a key fumble recovery in victory at Austin on Feb. 11.

LOS ANGELES AVENGERS (4-3)
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
Mar. 6 @ Arizona Win 33-29
Mar. 18 Dallas Loss 72-50
Rest of Season Opponent Time (PST) Television
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

TAMPA BAY STORM (4-3)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 30 San Jose Win 63-33
Feb. 6 Austin Win 62-45
Feb. 11 @ Orlando Loss 61-46
Feb. 25 @ New Orleans Loss 48-42 OT
Mar. 6 Grand Rapids Win 70-50
Mar. 13 Arizona Win 59-56
Mar. 20 Philadelphia Loss 69-63

THE SERIES: The Avengers won the first regular-season meeting between the two teams, 38-24, at STAPLES Center on May 17, 2002. Los Angeles and Tampa Bay also met later that season in the playoffs. The Storm won that contest, 66-41, on July 27, 2002, at STAPLES Center, beating the Avengers in their first playoff game in franchise history. After not facing each other in 2003, the Storm beat the Avengers, 63-55, on May 9, 2004, at the St. Pete Times Forum.


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: The Avengers will play the league's other Florida franchise on Sunday, April 3, as they hit the road to face the Orlando Predators at the TD Waterhouse Centre. That game will kick off at 9 a.m. (Pacific) and will be televised on KNBC Channel 4.

YOUNG GUNS: Fifteen of the 28 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, Rob Turner, John Schlecht and Khori Ivy) 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: Twenty-one of L.A.'s 42 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, 159-of-283 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 42 21 (50 %) 4
Total 283 159 (56 %) 47

L.A. STORY: At 4-3, the Avengers are exactly where they were last season after seven games. The Avengers had their most successful season in 2003, winning 11 games. 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) 4-3

NEARLY PERFECT: The first seven games of the 2005 season have been nothing short of amazing for Avenger kicker Remy Hamilton. He is 18-for-21 (.857) 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 a franchise-record 18 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 could threaten the AFL single-season record for field goals made (32) and field goal percentage (.720). He also is perfect from long distance this year, going 4-for-4 from beyond 40 yards (41, 41, 48, 50). Over the course of the entire 2004 season, Hamilton was 2-for-9 from 40 or more yards out. All three of his miss fires this season have been from between 28 and 31 yards out (28, 29, 31).

TOP BOSSES: L.A.'s 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 * 146-57 .719
3. Darren Arbet * 68-27 .716
4. Danny White 121-55 .688
5. Jay Gruden * 50-30 .625
6. Ed Hodgkiss * 32-21 .604
7. Mike Dailey * 74-49 .602
8. John Gregory 67-51 .578
9. Pat Sperduto * 28-21 .571
10. Todd Shell * 47-43 .522

KEEPING IT CLOSE: Only seven of the 21 losses that Ed Hodgkiss has suffered as the head coach of the Avengers have been by more than seven points. He is 32-21 with the Avengers.

JUST ONCE: In the "Ed Hodgkiss Era," which now spans 53 regular-season games, the Avengers have been under .500 for only one week ... following this year's season-opening loss at Las Vegas. No other team in at least its fourth AFL season in the comes anywhere near Los Angeles in this regard. San Jose is the closest, spending just six weeks under .500 since the start of the 2002 season.

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 the three defeats this season. 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 fourth in the AFL in turnover margin at +6 (New York and Colorado lead at +9). Los Angeles has 15 takeaways (10 INTs and five fumble recoveries). The Avengers have turned over the ball nine times this season, but only two times in their four victories (one fumble vs. Georgia, no turnovers at Austin, one interception vs. San Jose, no turnovers at Arizona). 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.

SLOW STARTERS: The Avengers have held the lead at halftime in only one of their seven games this season (37-21 vs. San Jose on Feb. 20). But, even in that game, L.A. started slowly, scoring just three points in the first quarter. However, the Avengers exploded for 34 points in the second quarter on their way to a 71-69 win.

LONG BALL SPECIALIST: Avenger WR/LB-OS Jerome Riley (currently on injured reserve) 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 17 or more catches has an average above 16.5

AVENGER NEWCOMERS TO WATCH:

WR/LB-OS Khori Ivy: A multi-talented receiver who was supposed to begin his AFL career last season with the Detroit Fury, Ivy tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in training camp on Jan. 17, 2004. He was placed on the injured reserve list a few days later and was lost for the entire season. After the Detroit franchise closed its doors, Ivy signed a three-year free agent contract with L.A. on Oct. 22, 2004. Prior to joining the Fury, Ivy bounced around the NFL for three years. He spent the 2001 season on the practice squads of the New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals, who allocated him to the Barcelona Dragons for the 2002 NFL Europe season. After catching 27 passes for 350 yards and two touchdowns for the Dragons, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 3, 2002. Ivy returned to training camp with the Steelers in 2003, but was one of the final cuts prior to the start of the season. A three-year starter at West Virginia, he finished second in Mountaineer history in career receiving yards (2,412) and third in career receptions (160). Ivy also set a Big East record with at least one catch in 40 consecutive games.

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 27,831 passing yards (No. 5 on the AFL career chart), 459 TD passes (No. 5) and 2,310 completions (No. 5). He has also rushed for 45 scores in his AFL career. Kaleo set an Avenger franchise record with 31 completions at Colorado on Feb. 27.

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 TDs (39 receiving, three kickoff returns, one rushing). He also ranked second in the league in scoring and all-purpose yards.

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. With 39 stops already in 2005, Simmons could threaten the Avenger franchise single-season record for tackles (83).


KICKING UP A STORM: Not only does Avenger kicker Remy Hamilton lead the AFL in field goals (18), field-goal percentage (.857) and kicking points (89), he also has kicked as many field goals in the first eight weeks of play (in only seven games) as six other teams in the league combined – Austin 5, Arizona 3, Nashville 3, New York 3, Philadelphia 2 and San Jose 2. Those six teams have had to attempt a total of 62 field goals to make 18 (.290). Hamilton only had to try only 21 to make 18, including boots from 48 and 50 yards out.

KICKING COUNTS: Made field goals are often times considered as "stops" by AFL defenses, but the collection of six teams that Remy Hamilton has out-kicked have a combined record of 17-28 (.378). On the other hand, the top seven AFL teams in terms of kicking points (Los Angeles, Colorado, Dallas, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Georgia and Chicago) have converted on 57-of-98 field goal attempts (.582) and have a combined record of 35-18 (.660).


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) 1,161
3. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles) 966
4. Steve McLaughlin (1998-2004) 781
5. Daron Alcorn (1997-2004) 770

All-Time AFL Leaders –Field Goals Made
1. Mike Black (1993-2004) 178
2. Steve Videtich (Columbus) 148
3. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles) 122
4. Kenny Stucker (1994-99) 118
5. Daron Alcorn (1997-2004) 100

NEW COACH: The Avengers have added a new assistant coach this month. Kendall Blackburn is now in charge of the fullback/linebackers.

"IRONMAN" INGRAM: In his last 33 games, WR/DB Kevin Ingram has been selected as the "U.S. Army Ironman of the Game" 10 times. L.A. won each of those games, which includes five wins in 2004, and the team's most recent victory at Arizona on March 6.

ROAD WARRIOR: In his last 18 games away from STAPLES Center, WR/DB Kevin Ingram has caught 78 passes for 920 yards and 26 TDs. Despite playing alongside a constellation of AFL stars for much of his career, Ingram's contributions have not gone unnoticed, winning the "U.S. Army Ironman of the Game" award in seven road games over the course of the last two years.

WHEELER CONTINUES TO ROLL: Avenger DS Damen Wheeler, who returned to the lineup at Colorado on Feb. 27, after a four-week stay on the IR list (hamstring), has come up with eight INTs in the last 15 games he has played in, dating back to the tail end of the 2003 season.

HOPPING UP THE CHARTS: In last week's game, Avenger WR/LB Greg Hopkins moved past AFL legend George LaFrance into the fourth spot on the league's all-time receiving yards chart. He has gained 9,009 receiving yards in his 10-year career. Hopkins is one of only five players in AFL history to have 9,000 or more receiving yards.

All-Time AFL Leaders –Receiving Yards
1. Barry Wagner (San Jose) 13,031
2. Eddie Brown (1994-2003) 12,730
3. Gary Compton (1992-2004) 10,247
4. Greg Hopkins (Los Angeles) 9,009
5. George LaFrance (1988-2000) 9,004
6. Cory Fleming (Orlando) 8,972
7. Hunkie Cooper (1993-2005) 8,600
8. Calvin Schexnayder (San Jose) 8,377
9. Darryl Hammond (Nashville) 8,106
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) 41 - 534 521 – 7,329(168 TDs)
Greg Hopkins(Avengers) 466 – 5,633(116 TDs) 42 - 444 508 – 6,077(120 TDs)
Damian Harrell(Crush) 457 – 6,724(138 TDs) 48 – 641 505 – 7,365(157 TDs)
Mike Horacek(Dragons) 399 – 5,248(121 TDs) 42 - 578 441 – 5,826(136 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 in the 71-69 victory over San Jose on Feb. 20, to break a tie with 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 –INT Returns for TDs (regular season)
Greg Hopkins (Los Angeles Avengers) 10
Kenny McEntyre (Orlando Predators) 9
Darryl Hammond (Nashville Kats) 8
Mark Ricks (1996-2004) 7
Hunkie Cooper (1993-2005) 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 41 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) 34,450
2. Aaron Garcia (New York) 32,295
3. Sherdrick Bonner (Arizona) 31,679
4. Clint Dolezel (Las Vegas) 29,912
5. John Kaleo (Los Angeles) 27,831
6. Todd Hammel (Chicago) 26,896

All-Time AFL Leaders –Passing Completions
1. Andy Kelly (New Orleans) 3,106
2. Sherdrick Bonner (Arizona) 2,541
3. Clint Dolezel (Las Vegas) 2,529
4. Aaron Garcia (New York) 2,507
5. John Kaleo (Los Angeles) 2,310
6. Todd Hammel (Chicago) 2,146

All-Time AFL Leaders –Passing Touchdowns
1. Aaron Garcia (New York) 672
2. Andy Kelly (New Orleans) 669
3. Sherdrick Bonner (Arizona) 632
4. Clint Dolezel (Las Vegas) 596
5. John Kaleo (Los Angeles) 459
6. Todd Hammel (Chicago) 420

Since Start of 2004 Season –Passing Touchdowns
1. Tony Graziani (L.A./Philadelphia) 137
2. Aaron Garcia (New York) 128
3. Andy Kelly (Detroit/New Orleans) 122
4. John Kaleo (Tampa Bay/L.A.) 114
4. Clint Dolezel (Las Vegas) 114

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.

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 20-9 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 12-12 since 2002.




LAST GAME:

DESPERADOS DANCE PAST AVENGERS, 72-50

LOS ANGELES (March 18) -- Just over a month after beating the Austin Wranglers, the Avengers could not complete the Texas two-step, as the Dallas Desperados were the ones doing all the dancing in a 72-50 victory at STAPLES Center.
Dallas (6-2) came into the game with the No. 2 rushing attack in the AFL and showed why versus the Avengers, scoring four touchdowns on the ground.
Both teams came into the game extremely hot having won four of their last five games, but it was the Desperados who came out on fire. The bye week did not change anything for Los Angeles (4-3) as it got down early once again, and trailed at the half for the sixth time in seven games, this time 35-24.
"We had a good week of practice, but we just got behind early and had to play catch-up all night long," Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss said. "You can't do that in this league; get yourself behind the eight ball early in the game."
Things would only get worse for the Avengers in the second half as the Dallas defense forced two costly turnovers.
In the third quarter, down by only 11 points and driving, L.A. quarterback John Kaleo threw an interception to Dallas defensive specialist Jermaine Jones, who had a clear path to the end zone.
Kaleo finished with good numbers -- 22-of-36 passing for 251 yards and seven touchdowns -- but his interception was deflating and seemed to take the wind out of Los Angeles. On the very next possession, Kaleo was called for intentional grounding in the end zone for a safety giving Dallas a 51-31 lead with 8:25 remaining in the third quarter.
The Avenger defense had no answer for the Desperado offense, which tied a season-high with 72 points.
Dallas quarterback Clint Stoerner was 18-of-30 for 143 yards and four touchdowns, but more importantly, threw no interceptions. Stoerner now has thrown 37 touchdown passes and just five interceptions this season.
WR/LB Jason Shelly did his part for the Desperados, scoring two touchdowns on six catches.
Dallas got on the board first on its opening drive when Stoerner found Shelly for a 22-yard strike to make it 7-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Avengers caught a bad break as the ball caromed off the net past two Avengers and right into the waiting arms of "U.S. Army Ironman of the Game" Bobby Sippio at 4-yard line, before he waltzed into the end zone to make it 14-0 in favor of Dallas.
Kaleo came right back and threw the first of three touchdown passes to WR/DB Kevin Ingram.
Avenger WR/LB-OS Khori Ivy got his first extended bit of playing time this season and responded with a pair of receptions, which were both for touchdowns.


DALLAS (6-2) 21 14 16 21 -- 72
LOS ANGELES (4-3) 7 17 14 12 -- 50


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.

RECENT ROSTER MOVES:
Date Action Player
3/17 Activated from injured reserve OL/DL Fred RayFB/LB Michale Spicer
3/16 Waived OL/DL Asi Faoa
3/11 Placed on injured reserve OL/DL Silas Demary
3/5 Activated from injured reserve OS Khori IvyOL/DL John Schlecht
3/5 Placed on injured reserve WR/LB Jerome RileyFB/LB Michale Spicer
3/3 Signed to practice squad OS Robert Gordon
3/3 Released from practice squad WR/LB Lance Young
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

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 a 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.




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 ...
· 2-1 at STAPLES Center
· 2-2 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
· 3-2 when they allow less than 60 points
· 2-1 when they allow less than 50 points
· 1-0 when they allow less than 40 points
· 2-0 when they score first
· 4-0 when they commit fewer turnovers
· 0-1 when they commit more turnovers
· 1-1 when a player scores three or more touchdowns
· 1-0 when they score two or more TDs on the ground
· 2-3 when John Kaleo throws for at least 5 TDs
· 4-2 when John Kaleo passes for 200+ yards
· 1-0 when John Kaleo passes for 300+ yards
· 3-0 when John Kaleo doesn't throw an INT
· 2-1 when Kevin Ingram scores two or more TDs
· 2-2 when Kevin Ingram catches 6 or more passes
· 0-2 when Greg Hopkins scores two or more TDs
· 2-2 when Greg Hopkins catches six or more passes
· 1-0 when Josh Jeffries scores at least one TD
· 1-0 when a lineman catches a TD pass
· 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
· 1-0 when they go scoreless for at least one quarter
· 0-1 when they pitch a shutout in a quarter
· 3-0 when the game is decided by 7 or fewer points
· 1-0 when leading at halftime
· 2-3 when trailing at halftime
· 1-0 when tied at halftime




TWO-FOR-TWO DEBUT: In last week's game versus Dallas, first-year WR/LB-OS Khori Ivy caught his first two AFL passes. Both of them were for touchdowns.

OUT-RUN FOR POINTS: Although they have out-gained foes on the ground, 138-113, the Avengers are way behind in terms of rushing for touchdowns. Opponents have scored 14 times on the ground against Los Angeles, while the Avengers have countered with just five rushing scores.

FIRST-QUARTER BLUES: In seven games this season, the Avengers have scored only 34 points in the first quarter (average of 4.9 points), while opponents have countered with 87. In comparison, Los Angeles scored 34 points in the second quarter alone on Feb. 20, on its way to a 71-69 victory over San Jose. The second quarter is indeed when the Avengers shine most, scoring a total of 124 points. L.A. also does well in the third quarter, racking up 103. But, things slow down in the fourth quarter when the Avengers have been outscored, 124-80.

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 the loss at Colorado on Feb. 27, 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, remain with the club today.


LOS ANGELES AVENGERS
2004 RESULTS (9-7, 0-1)
Date Opponent Result Score
Feb. 8 @ Arizona Win 51-32
Feb. 14 @ Las Vegas Win 62-55
Feb. 22 San Jose Loss 61-55
Mar. 1 Georgia Loss 53-52 OT
Mar. 14 @ Grand Rapids Win 48-33
Mar. 21 @ Dallas Win 60-44
Mar. 26 @ San Jose Loss 55-52
April 3 Austin Win 81-70
April 10 Colorado Loss 57-55
April 16 Detroit Win 62-55
April 25 @ Chicago Win 71-35
May 1 Arizona Loss 42-38
May 9 @ Tampa Bay Loss 63-55
May 16 @ New York Win 58-53
May 22 Las Vegas Win 54-51
May 30 Orlando Loss 52-50
June 6 @ Arizona (Playoffs) Loss 59-42


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

PREVIOUS MEETING WITH TAMPA BAY:

AVENGERS TURN GAME OVER TO STORM, 63-55

TAMPA, Fla. (May 9, 2004) -- Having committed only five turnovers in their previous 12 games, the Avengers gave the football back to the Tampa Bay Storm three times in the second half in a 63-55 loss before 12,778 at the St. Pete Times Forum.
The Avengers fell to 7-6 on the season, while the defending ArenaBowl champion Storm evened their record at 7-7 and kept their hopes alive for a 14th consecutive trip to the playoffs.
Storm quarterback Shane Stafford was 27-of-40 for 321 yards and eight touchdowns, against only one interception. Half of his scoring tosses were to offensive specialist Freddie Soloman, who finished with a game-high 10 catches for 182 yards and earned "Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game" honors.
L.A.'s Tony Graziani completed 17-of-33 for 252 yards and six touchdowns, but was intercepted two times. He connected with OS Chris Jackson seven times for 122 yards and three touchdowns.
Neither team led by more than eight points in what was largely a see-saw contest from start to finish.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Avengers had a chance to grab control of the game when kicker Remy Hamilton perfectly executed his "pop" onside kick attempt and it was recovered by WR/DB Kevin Ingram at his own 11-yard line with 7:44 left. Seconds earlier, Ingram caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from Graziani that pulled the Avengers within a point at 56-55.
On second down, however, Tampa Bay defensive specialist Tremain Jones intercepted his second Graziani pass of the afternoon.
After Jones did what it took the rest of the AFL 12 games of the 2004 season to do -- intercept Graziani twice -- the Storm cashed in the turnover with an eight-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to WR/LB David Saunders that extended Tampa Bay's lead to the final margin of 63-55 with 3:55 remaining.
On the ensuing kickoff, Avenger WR/DB Henry Douglas, who had a 58-yard return for a touchdown earlier in the game (the longest play in franchise history), got loose once again, but fumbled near midfield. Tampa Bay recovered the ball and had a chance to seal the game, but Los Angeles defensive specialist Damen Wheeler, playing for the first time in six games, got his fourth interception of the year with only 54 seconds left on the clock.
The Avengers quickly moved the football to Tampa Bay's 18-yard line, but then turned it over on downs, falling a yard shy of converting on a fourth-and-10 play with just a second remaining.
Opening with an impressive display of quick-strike offense, Los Angeles scored four touchdowns in its first seven plays of the game.
Ingram returned the opening kickoff 43 yards, before catching a 13-yard touchdown pass from Graziani on the game's first play from scrimmage.


LOS ANGELES (7-6) 20 14 14 7 -- 55
TAMPA BAY (7-7) 14 21 14 14 -- 63

THIS WEEK IN THE AFL (all times Pacific):

FRIDAY, MARCH 25
Austin at Orlando, 4:30 p.m.
Colorado at Dallas, 5:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 26
New York at Columbus, 4 p.m.
Grand Rapids at Philadelphia, 4 p.m.
Georgia at New Orleans, 5 p.m.
Arizona at Nashville, 5:30 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Los Angeles, 7:30 p.m. (FSN West, Sun Sports, The Score-Canada, INHD)

MONDAY, MARCH 28
San Jose at Las Vegas, 7 p.m.

BYE: Chicago


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.




"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
6 @Ariz. WR/DB Kevin Ingram (L.A.)6 catches, 60 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
7 Dallas WR/LB Bobby Sippio (Dallas)3 catches, 1 net recovery 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)
6 @Ariz. DS Damen Wheeler (L.A.)8 tackles, 1 pass breakup
7 Dallas DS Jermaine Jones (Dallas)3.5 tackles, 1 INT return for TD

"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
6 @Ariz. WR/LB Greg Hopkins (L.A.)8 catches, 109 receiving yards
7 Dallas QB Clint Stoerner (Dallas)18-of-30 for 143 yards, 4 TDs

LEAGUE CALENDAR: The Arena Football League trading deadline is Wednesday, March 30, at 1 p.m. (Pacifc).

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 22, 2005


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