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Los Angeles Avengers game notes

March 29, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Game: Los Angeles Avengers at Orlando Predators
Date: Sunday, April 3, 2005
Kickoff: 9 a.m. (Pacific)
Site: Orlando, Fla.
Arena: TD Waterhouse Centre (16,613)
Television: KNBC Channel 4 (Tom Hammond, Pat Haden, Lewis Johnson)
Radio: XTRA Sports AM 570 (Larry Kahn, Troy West)
Line: TBA
Series Record: Tied, 1-1
Last Meeting: Orlando 52, Los Angeles 50 -- May 30, 2004, STAPLES Center
Officials: Perry Havener (R), Tom Laverty (U), Kelly Saalfeld (HL), Art Lucky (LJ), Barry Anderson (BJ)
Head Coaches:
Los Angeles -- Ed Hodgkiss (fourth season, 33-21)
Orlando -- Jay Gruden (sixth season, 51-30)

2005 AVENGERS: Gunning for their fourth consecutive trip to the AFL Playoffs, the Avengers (5-3) enter Week 10 in a three-way scramble with the defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose SaberCats (5-3) and the Las Vegas Gladiators (5-4) at the top of the Western Division. Each team controls its own destiny and the all-important division race is shaping up to be a thriller once again. L.A. has kept pace with a balanced effort in all three phases of the game. Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss directs a dangerous quick-strike offense, averaging 50.0 points per game. Veteran QB John Kaleo, who earned an ArenaBowl championship ring in 2003 with the Tampa Bay Storm, has thrown for 38 touchdowns, against only seven 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 12 TD passes, while Hopkins leads the team in receptions with 45 (for 476 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 31 receptions for 363 yards and eight scores. L.A. has perhaps the AFL's best pair of young FB/LBs in Lonnie Ford (averages 4.3 yards per carry) and Josh Jeffries (3.5 tackles for loss and one INT). At the OL/DL spots, Al Lucas, Silas Demary, Sean McNamara and Fred Ray provide veteran stability, while first-year linemen Tony Wragge, Luis Almanzar and Bernard Riley 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 (three INTs) and Antuan Simmons (46.5 tackles and seven 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 19-of-22 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 (5-3)
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
Mar. 26 Tampa Bay Win 59-28
Rest of Season Opponent Time (PST) Television
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

ORLANDO PREDATORS (6-3)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 30 Colorado Win 39-33
Feb. 3 @ Arizona Win 51-40
Feb. 11 Tampa Bay Win 61-46
Feb. 17 @ Dallas Loss 42-28
Feb. 25 @ Chicago Win 48-35
Mar. 6 San Jose Loss 57-38
Mar. 13 @ New Orleans Win 63-52
Mar. 19 @ Georgia Loss 49-47
Mar. 25 Austin Win 51-21


THE SERIES: Both of the previous games matching the Avengers and Predators have been thrillers decided at the final buzzer. The Avengers won the first meeting, 64-63, on March 30, 2003, at the TD Waterhouse Centre in Orlando, Fla. The game ended on a miraculous "Hail Mary" reception off the net by Avenger WR/LB Greg Hopkins as time expired. The Predators got some revenge last year, beating Los Angeles, 52-50, at STAPLES Center in the 2004 regular-season finale. Orlando kicker Jason Wells booted a 30-yard field goal as time expired to provide the winning margin.

All-Time Orlando vs. Los Angeles Series
Score Date Site
Avengers 64, Predators 63 3-30-03 Orlando
Predators 52, Avengers 50 5-30-04 STAPLES


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).

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).

THE "IF" SECTION:
If the Avengers defeat the Predators, it would ...
· Give the Avengers their fourth victory this season over a Southern Division opponent (L.A. has already beaten Georgia, Austin and Tampa Bay in 2005)
· Push Los Angeles' all-time record above the .500 level for the first time in franchise history (in their sixth season of play in the AFL, the Avengers are currently 41-41)
· Be Los Angeles' second consecutive victory at Orlando
· Give the Avengers a better record (6-3) than they had last year after nine games (5-4)
· Be Los Angeles' ninth win in its last 11 games in the Eastern Time Zone



JUST ONCE: In the "Ed Hodgkiss Era," which now spans 54 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 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.


L.A. STORY: At 5-3, the Avengers are exactly where they were last season after eight 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) 5-3

QUICK-STRIKE OFFENSE: Twenty-six of L.A.'s 50 offensive touchdowns this season have been scored on "drives" of three plays or less. In fact, six of them are one-play "drives." Over the course of the last three seasons, 164-of-291 Avenger TDs were of the quick-strike variety (49 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 50 26 (52 %) 6
Total 291 164 (56 %) 49

NEXT GAME: The Avengers will return home to host the New York Dragons on Sunday, April 10, at STAPLES Center. That contest will kick off at noon (Pacific).

TOP BOSSES: L.A.'s Ed Hodgkiss is ranked sixth on the AFL's all-time winning percentage chart (regular season only, minimum 50 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 * 69-27 .718
4. Danny White 121-55 .688
5. Jay Gruden * 51-30 .630
6. Ed Hodgkiss * 33-21 .611
7. Mike Dailey * 75-49 .605
8. John Gregory 67-51 .578
9. Pat Sperduto * 28-22 .560
10. Todd Shell * 48-43 .527

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.

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 third in the AFL in turnover margin at +9 (New York +11, Colorado +10). Los Angeles has 20 takeaways (13 INTs and seven fumble recoveries). The Avengers have turned over the ball 11 times this season, but only four times in their five victories (one fumble vs. Georgia, no turnovers at Austin, one interception vs. San Jose, no turnovers at Arizona, two INTs vs. Tampa Bay). 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 34 games, WR/DB Kevin Ingram has been selected as the "U.S. Army Ironman of the Game" 11 times. L.A. won each of those games, which includes five wins in 2004, and the team's two most recent victories -- at Arizona on March 6, and versus Tampa Bay on March 26.

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.

SLOW STARTERS: The Avengers have held the lead at halftime in only two of their eight games this season -- 37-21 vs. San Jose on Feb. 20, and 17-7 vs. Tampa Bay on March 26. But, even in that first game against San Jose, 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.


KICKING UP A STORM: Not only does Avenger kicker Remy Hamilton lead the AFL in field goals (19), field-goal percentage (.864) and kicking points (100), he also has kicked as many field goals in the first nine weeks of play (in only eight games) as six other teams in the league combined – Austin 5, Arizona 3, Nashville 3, New York 3, Philadelphia 3 and San Jose 2. Those six teams have had to attempt a total of 69 field goals to make 19 (.275). Hamilton only had to try only 22 to make 19, 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 20-30 (.400). On the other hand, the top six AFL teams in terms of kicking points (Los Angeles, Colorado, Dallas, New Orleans, Tampa Bay and Georgia) have converted on 58-of-98 field goal attempts (.592) and have a combined record of 34-17 (.667).


NEARLY PERFECT: The first half of the 2005 season has been nothing short of amazing for Avenger kicker Remy Hamilton. He is 19-for-22 (.864) 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. Hamilton scored a total of 22 points in that game and also came up with a key fumble recovery. 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 19 field goals already this season, Hamilton has tied 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 is perfect from long distance this year, going 4-for-4 from beyond 40 yards (41, 41, 48, 50). All three of his miss fires this season have been from between 28 and 31 yards out (28, 29, 31).

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) 967
4. Steve McLaughlin (1998-2004) 781

All-Time AFL Leaders –Field Goals Made
1. Mike Black (1993-2004) 178
2. Steve Videtich (Columbus) 155
3. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles) 133
4. Kenny Stucker (1994-99) 118

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 2004 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 28,132 passing yards (No. 5 on the AFL career chart), 463 TD passes (No. 5) and 2,334 completions (No. 5). He has also rushed for 47 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 46.5 stops already in 2005, Simmons could threaten the Avenger franchise single-season record for tackles (83).

HOPPING UP THE CHARTS: Avenger WR/LB Greg Hopkins recently moved into the fourth spot on the league's all-time receiving yards chart. Hopkins' Predator counterpart -- Cory Fleming -- is right behind him in fifth-place. Hopkins has gained 9,041 receiving yards in his 10-year career. He and Fleming are two of only six 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) 9,041
5. Cory Fleming (Orlando) 9,005
6. George LaFrance (1988-2000) 9,004
7. Hunkie Cooper (1993-2005) 8,600
8. Calvin Schexnayder (San Jose) 8,377
9. Darryl Hammond (Nashville) 8,142
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 and Colorado's Damian Harrell have 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 six seasons:

AFL's Top Pass Receivers – (2000-05)
Catches – Receiving Yards
2000-04 2005 Total
Chris Jackson(Rampage) 480 – 6,795(157 TDs) 48 - 651 528 – 7,446(169 TDs)
Damian Harrell(Crush) 457 – 6,724(138 TDs) 56 – 733 513 – 7,457(159 TDs)
Greg Hopkins(Avengers) 466 – 5,633(116 TDs) 45 - 476 511 – 6,109(121 TDs)
Mike Horacek(Dragons) 399 – 5,248(121 TDs) 48 - 686 447 – 5,934(138 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 37 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) 34,717
2. Aaron Garcia (New York) 32,621
3. Sherdrick Bonner (Arizona) 31,679
4. Clint Dolezel (Las Vegas) 30,307
5. John Kaleo (Los Angeles) 28,132
6. Todd Hammel (Chicago) 26,896

All-Time AFL Leaders –Passing Completions
1. Andy Kelly (New Orleans) 3,138
2. Clint Dolezel (Las Vegas) 2,559
3. Sherdrick Bonner (Arizona) 2,541
4. Aaron Garcia (New York) 2,534
5. John Kaleo (Los Angeles) 2,334
6. Todd Hammel (Chicago) 2,146

All-Time AFL Leaders –Passing Touchdowns
1. Aaron Garcia (New York) 679
2. Andy Kelly (New Orleans) 672
3. Sherdrick Bonner (Arizona) 632
4. Clint Dolezel (Las Vegas) 607
5. John Kaleo (Los Angeles) 463
6. Todd Hammel (Chicago) 420

Since Start of 2004 Season –Passing Touchdowns
1. Tony Graziani (L.A./Philadelphia) 145
2. Aaron Garcia (New York) 135
3. Andy Kelly (Detroit/New Orleans) 125
3. Clint Dolezel (Las Vegas) *plays 3/28 125
5. John Kaleo (Tampa Bay/L.A.) 118

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.

LONG BALLER: Avenger WR/LB-OS Jerome Riley (currently on IR) 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.


PREVIOUS MEETING WITH ORLANDO:

ORLANDO KICKS L.A. DOWN TO EIGHTH SEED

LOS ANGELES -- (May 30, 2004) -- Orlando Predator kicker Jason Wells hit a 30-yard field goal as time expired to beat the Avengers, 52-50, before 11,508 at STAPLES Center.

Despite the outcome, both teams -- Orlando (10-6, sixth seed) and Los Angeles (9-7, eighth seed) -- qualified for the 2004 AFL Playoffs.

"We just have to deal with what happened and move on," said Avenger offensive specialist Chris Jackson, who broke his own team record with 14 receptions (for 146 yards and four touchdowns).

Los Angeles had taken a 50-49 lead with 26 seconds left on Tony Graziani's 8-yard touchdown pass to Jackson. The Avengers missed the two-point conversion attempt when Graziani's pass was incomplete.

Orlando's Anthony Bright returned the ensuing kickoff 16 yards to the Predator 11-yard line. On the opening play of the drive, Joe Hamilton completed a pass to Bright, advancing the ball to the Avenger 20.

Hamilton's next pass appeared to be intercepted by Damen Wheeler, who was ruled to have been out-of-bounds. Hamilton then completed a five-yard pass to Cory Fleming, setting up Wells' winning kick.

"We could have played better," Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss said. "Last year, it seemed we won the close ones ... this year we didn't."

Graziani completed 22-of-28 for 226 yards and five touchdowns with one interception. He finished the season with 99 touchdown passes, falling short on his bid to join New York's Aaron Garcia as the only quarterbacks in the AFL's 18-year history to throw 100 or more touchdown passes in a single season.

Hamilton was 26-of-38 for 312 yards and five touchdowns and was intercepted once.

Los Angeles kicker Remy Hamilton hit a 20-yard field goal with 4:53 left, giving his team a 44-43 lead.

The Predators responded with a nine-play, 44-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass from Joe Hamilton to WR/LB Cory Fleming on a fourth-and-four play from the Avenger 13-yard line with 39 seconds remaining.

Los Angeles took the first of its three fourth-quarter leads when Avenger lineman Al Lucas knocked the ball away from Joe Hamilton and recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown that put L.A. up, 41-37, with 12:45 left.

It was the second touchdown by the Avenger defense on the afternoon. With 12:44 left in the third quarter, Wheeler returned an interception 38 yards for a score that put Los Angeles ahead, 27-23.

"We have to go back to the drawing board," said Lucas, who earned an ArenaBowl championship ring last season as a rookie with the Tampa Bay Storm. "We need to capitalize on our opportunities, do the things we're capable of and just play our game."


ORLANDO (10-6) 9 14 14 15 -- 52
LOS ANGELES (9-7) 6 14 14 16 -- 50

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 nine INTs in the last 16 games he has played in, dating back to the tail end of the 2003 season.

THIRD-QUARTER KARMA: The final result of an Avenger game can often be predicted before the start of the fourth quarter. L.A. is 35-8 all-time when leading or tied after three quarters of play. Furthermore, in the "Ed Hodgkiss Era," the Avengers are 21-9 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.

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
3/25 Activated from injured reserve OL/DL Silas DemaryOL/DL Bernard RileyDS Traco Rachal
3/25 Placed on injured reserve WR/DB Brian SumpOL/DL Luis AlmanzarOL/DL Richard Seals
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






IN THE ZONE OUT EAST: When the Avengers visit Orlando this weekend and make two more 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 on March 30, 2003. The Avengers will play at Nashville on April 17, and conclude the 2005 regular season with a trip to Grand Rapids on May 21. L.A. won a 48-33 decision last year at Grand Rapids.


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

FIRST-QUARTER BLUES: In eight games this season, the Avengers have scored only 48 points in the first quarter (average of 6.0 points), while opponents have countered with 94. The second quarter is when the Avengers shine most, scoring a total of 127 points. L.A. also does well in the third quarter, racking up 124. But, things slow down in the fourth quarter when the Avengers have been outscored, 145-101.

OUT-RUN FOR POINTS: Although they have out-gained foes on the ground, 153-116, the Avengers are behind in terms of rushing for touchdowns. Opponents have scored 14 times on the ground against L.A., while the Avengers have countered with only nine rushing scores ... four of which came in last week's 59-28 victory over Tampa Bay.

TWO-FOR-TWO DEBUT: On March 18, versus Dallas, first-year WR/LB-OS Khori Ivy caught his first two AFL passes. Both of them were for touchdowns.



THE AVENGERS ARE ...
· 3-1 at STAPLES Center
· 2-2 on the road
· 3-0 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
· 4-2 when they allow less than 60 points
· 3-1 when they allow less than 50 points
· 2-0 when they allow less than 40 points
· 2-0 when they score first
· 5-0 when they commit fewer turnovers
· 0-1 when they commit more turnovers
· 2-1 when a player scores three or more touchdowns
· 2-0 when they score two or more TDs on the ground
· 2-3 when John Kaleo throws for at least 5 TDs
· 5-2 when John Kaleo passes for 200+ yards
· 2-0 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
· 3-2 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
· 4-0 when Remy Hamilton scores at least 11 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
· 1-1 when they pitch a shutout in a quarter
· 3-0 when the game is decided by 7 or fewer points
· 2-0 when leading at halftime
· 2-3 when trailing at halftime
· 1-0 when tied at halftime


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.

LAST WEEK:

AVENGER DEFENSE QUIETS STORM, 59-28

LOS ANGELES (March 26) -- Storm warnings were called off after a dominating performance by the Avenger defense lifted Los Angeles to a 59-28 victory over Tampa Bay at STAPLES Center before a crowd of 12,819.

The victory boosted Los Angeles to 5-3, while Tampa Bay falls to 4-4.

Tampa Bay came in as the second-highest scoring team in the Arena Football League, averaging nearly 58 points per game, but the Avenger defense was relentless, holding the Storm scoreless on five straight possessions and gave up only seven points in the first three quarters.

"We talked all week about this being like a playoff game," Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss said. "The defense really stepped it up and was the difference in the game."

Tampa Bay had been virtually unstoppable in the red zone all season, scoring on 35-of-37 trips, but the Avenger defense stood firm with two spectacular goal line stands and an interception in the end zone by WR/DB Kevin Ingram.

The interception was Ingram's second this season. He also had two touchdowns on offense, earning himself "U.S. Army Ironman of the Game" honors.

"We came out to play tonight," Ingram said. "We were ‘gellin' as a team tonight. Anytime you beat a team like Tampa, it's big."

WR/LB Greg Hopkins and DS Damen Wheeler also intercepted Tampa Bay quarterback Shane Stafford, who came into the game with the AFL's best touchdown-to-interception ratio at 43-3.

Stafford finished 26-of-40 for 342 yards and four touchdowns, but the three interceptions tied a career high.

"We did a great job of getting pressure on Stafford and tipping his passes," Hodgkiss said.

While the defense will get most of the credit for the victory, Avenger quarterback John Kaleo, who led to the Storm to an ArenaBowl championship in 2003, and the L.A. offense also had a phenomenal game.

Kaleo was 24-of-36 for 301 yards and four touchdowns and also rushed for two more himself.

FB/LB Lonnie Ford was named the "Offensive Player of the Game" as he scored three touchdowns -- two on the ground and via a reception.

"We were just clicking out there tonight," Ford said. "It feels really good. The line was blocking and I was just running behind my blocks."

After spotting Tampa the first seven points of the game on Stafford's touchdown pass to WR/LB Lawrence Samuels, Los Angeles would never trail again as Tampa would go 44 minutes and 22 seconds between scores.


TAMPA BAY (4-4) 7 0 0 21 -- 28
LOS ANGELES (5-3) 14 3 21 21 -- 59


ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE STANDINGS:

AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Western Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
AVENGERS 5 3 0 .625 400 394
San Jose 5 3 0 .625 491 414
Las Vegas 5 4 0 .556 416 430
Arizona 2 7 0 .222 447 478

Central Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Colorado 6 2 0 .750 448 385
Chicago 4 4 0 .500 374 384
Grand Rapids 1 7 0 .125 405 514
Nashville 1 7 0 .125 318 393

NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Eastern Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
New York 6 2 0 .750 432 389
Dallas 6 3 0 .667 493 419
Philadelphia 4 5 0 .444 469 484
Columbus 1 7 0 .125 352 413

Southern Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Georgia 7 2 0 .778 450 401
New Orleans 6 3 0 .667 465 427
Orlando 6 3 0 .667 426 378
Tampa Bay 4 4 0 .500 433 421
Austin 3 6 0 .333 415 510


THIS WEEK IN THE AFL (all times Pacific):

FRIDAY, APRIL 1
New Orleans at Austin, 5:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, APRIL 2
Chicago at New York, 4 p.m.
Georgia at Tampa Bay, 4:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, APRIL 3
Los Angeles at Orlando, 9 a.m. -- NBC
Philadelphia at Columbus, 9 a.m.
Nashville at Grand Rapids, 11:30 a.m.
Las Vegas at Colorado, noon
Arizona at San Jose, 6 p.m.

BYE: Dallas


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


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.

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.


NEW ASSISTANT COACH: A coach with a wealth of knowledge and a winning history, Kendall Blackburn is in his first season with the Los Angeles Avengers. He was hired this month and will coach the fullback/linebacker position.

Before joining the Avengers, Blackburn coached the tight ends and tackles at New Mexico State University (Las Cruces, N.M.) for eight seasons (1997-2004). In 1998, the Aggies were ranked fifth in the nation in rushing. The following season, New Mexico State wound up sixth in that same category.

Blackburn began his coaching career in 1985, serving as the offensive coordinator at Servite High School (Anaheim, Calif.) for four seasons. In 1990, he moved on to become the offensive coordinator at Serra High School (Gardena, Calif.), which went 10-1 that season and won the league championship. After that, Blackburn became the defensive line coach at Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, Calif.) and spent five seasons there, winning the USA Today national championship in 1995.

He started his collegiate coaching career at William Penn College (Oskaloosa, Iowa), tutoring the offensive line during the 1989 season. Blackburn also was the defensive line and special teams coach for two seasons (1995-96) at Cal State Northridge. In 1996, the Matadors led the Big Sky Conference in rushing defense. Blackburn's collegiate coaching career also includes being a graduate assistant at the University of Nebraska (Lincoln, Neb.) and had a brief stint at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

He received his degree in physical education and minored in history at William Penn College in 1989. Blackburn played college football at Taft (Calif.) College and Long Beach (Calif.) State.

He was born on Aug. 28, 1960, in Philadelphia, Pa. Blackburn attended Moorestown (N.J.) High School, where he was a member of the football and wrestling teams.

"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
8 Tampa Bay WR/DB Kevin Ingram (L.A.)8 catches, 150 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

"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
8 Tampa Bay WR/LB Greg Hopkins (L.A.)4.5 tackles, 1 fumble rec., 1 INT


"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
8 Tampa Bay FB/LB Lonnie Ford (L.A.)2 rushing TDs, 1 TD reception

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