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Los Angeles Avengers game notes

April 6, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Game: New York Dragons at Los Angeles Avengers
Date: Sunday, April 10, 2005
Kickoff: Noon (Pacific)
Site: Los Angeles, Calif.
Arena: STAPLES Center (17,942)
Television: FSN West (Bill Macdonald, John Jackson, Lindsay Soto) -- delayed broadcast at 1 p.m.
Radio: AM 1150 (Larry Kahn, Troy West)
Line: TBA
Series Record: Los Angeles leads, 3-0
Last Meeting: Los Angeles 58, New York 53 -- May 16, 2004, Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, N.Y.
Officials: Tom McCabe (R), Matt Jordan (U), Neil Brunner (HL), Bob McElwee (LJ), David Cutaia (BJ)
Head Coaches:
Los Angeles -- Ed Hodgkiss (fourth season, 33-22)
New York – Weylan Harding (first season, 6-3)

2005 AVENGERS: Gunning for their fourth consecutive trip to the AFL Playoffs, the Avengers (5-4) enter Week 11 in a three-way scramble with the defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose SaberCats (6-3) and the Las Vegas Gladiators (5-5) near the top of the Western Division. Los Angeles and San Jose each 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 50.4 points per game. Veteran QB John Kaleo, who earned an ArenaBowl championship ring in 2003 with the Tampa Bay Storm, has thrown for 40 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 47 (for 492 yards and five scores). The Avengers have gotten a boost from OS Tony Locke, who debuted with three first-half touchdown catches 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 37 receptions for 478 yards and 10 scores. L.A. has perhaps the AFL's best pair of young FB/LBs with Lonnie Ford (seven rushing TDs, averages 4.0 yards per carry) and Josh Jeffries (3.5 tackles for loss, 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 (team-high 49 tackles and eight 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 23-of-27 field goals this season 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 a victory at Austin on Feb. 11.

LOS ANGELES AVENGERS (5-4)
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
April 3 @ Orlando Loss 55-54 OT
Rest of Season Opponent Time (PST) Television
April 10 New York Noon FSN West 2
April 17 @ Nashville 10 a.m.
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

NEW YORK DRAGONS (6-3)
Date Opponent Result Score
Feb. 6 Dallas Win 55-45
Feb. 11 @ Las Vegas Loss 41-37
Feb. 19 Nashville Win 62-49
Feb. 27 Arizona Win 61-37
Mar. 6 @ Philadelphia Win 61-54
Mar. 13 Georgia Win 53-51
Mar. 19 @ Austin Loss 57-47
Mar. 26 @ Columbus Win 56-55
April 2 Chicago Loss 44-43

THE SERIES: The Avengers have won all three previous meetings with New York. This will be the first meeting in Los Angeles since the Avengers opened the 2002 season with a 43-25 victory over the Dragons. The most recent two meetings have occurred at the Nassau Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y. In 2003, Los Angeles posted a 65-61 victory, scoring on a one-yard run as time expired. Last season, the Avengers beat the Dragons, 58-53.

All-Time New York vs. Los Angeles Series
Score Date Site
Avengers 43, New York 25 4-19-02 STAPLES
Avengers 65, New York 61 3-9-03 Nassau
Avengers 58, New York 53 5-16-04 Nassau


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 in 2004 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: Sixteen of the 29 players who have suited up 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, Khori Ivy and Ryan Van Dyke) 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 Dragons, it would ...
· Push Los Angeles' all-time record to the .500 mark (in their sixth season of play in the AFL, the Avengers are currently 41-42)
· Be Los Angeles' fourth consecutive victory over New York
· Give the Avengers the same record that they had last year after 10 games (6-4)
· Be Los Angeles' fourth win in its five games at home this season


JUST ONCE: In the "Ed Hodgkiss Era," which now spans 55 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 5-4, the Avengers are exactly where they were last season after nine 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) 5-4

QUICK-STRIKE OFFENSE: Twenty-seven of L.A.'s 56 offensive touchdowns this season have been scored on "drives" of three plays or less. In fact, seven of them are one-play "drives." Over the course of the last three seasons, 165-of-297 Avenger TDs were of the quick-strike variety (50 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 56 27 (48 %) 7
Total 297 165 (56 %) 50

NEXT GAME: The Avengers will hit the road once again to face the Nashville Kats on Sunday, April 17, at the Gaylord Entertainment Center. That contest will kick off at 10 a.m. (Pacific) and will not be televised.

TOP BOSSES: L.A.'s Ed Hodgkiss is ranked seventh 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. Darren Arbet * 70-27 .722
3. Tim Marcum * 146-57 .719
4. Danny White 121-55 .688
5. Jay Gruden * 52-30 .634
6. Mike Dailey * 76-49 .608
7. Ed Hodgkiss * 33-22 .600
8. John Gregory 67-51 .578
9. Pat Sperduto * 29-22 .569
10. Todd Shell * 48-44 .522

KEEPING IT CLOSE: Only seven of the 22 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.

TOPS IN TURNOVERS AGAIN: The Avengers currently lead the AFL in turnover margin at +11 (tied with Colorado). Los Angeles has a league-high 22 takeaways (15 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 35 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 19 games away from STAPLES Center, WR/DB Kevin Ingram has caught 84 passes for 1,019 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 nine games this season -- 37-21 vs. San Jose on Feb. 20, and 17-7 vs. Tampa Bay on March 26. But, even in the 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 Remy Hamilton lead the AFL in field goals (23), field-goal percentage (.852) and kicking points (116), he also has kicked as nearly many field goals in the first 10 weeks of play (in only nine games) as seven other teams in the league combined – Las Vegas 5, Austin 5, Arizona 3, Nashville 3, New York 3, Philadelphia 3 and San Jose 2. Those seven teams have had to attempt a total of 83 field goals to make 24 (.289). Hamilton only has had to try only 27 to make 23, including boots from 48 and 50 yards.

KICKING COUNTS: Made field goals are often times considered as "stops" by AFL defenses, but the collection of seven teams that Remy Hamilton has nearly out-kicked have a combined record of 30-37 (.448). On the other hand, the top six AFL teams in terms of kicking points (Los Angeles, Colorado, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Dallas and Georgia) have converted on 65-of-107 field goal attempts (.607) and have a combined record of 36-20 (.643).


NEARLY PERFECT: The 2005 season has been nothing short of amazing for Avenger kicker Remy Hamilton. He is 23-for-27 (.852) 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 23 field goals this season, Hamilton has surpassed his personal single-season record of 19 (set during his rookie season with Grand Rapids in 1998) and could threaten the AFL single-season record for field goals made (32) and field goal percentage (.720). He is 5-of-6 from beyond 40 yards (41, 41, 43, 48, 50). His four misses this season were from 28, 29, 31 and 47 yards.

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 three players in league history to boot over 135 field goals.

All-Time AFL Leaders –Scoring By Kickers
1. Mike Black (1993-2004) 1,253
2. Steve Videtich (Columbus) 1,170
3. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles) 983
4. Steve McLaughlin (1998-2004) 781

All-Time AFL Leaders –Field Goals Made
1. Mike Black (1993-2004) 178
2. Steve Videtich (Columbus) 156
3. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles) 137
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 28,409 passing yards (No. 5 on the AFL career chart), 465 TD passes (No. 5) and 2,352 completions (No. 5). He has also rushed for 48 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 also 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 49 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 is in the fifth spot on the league's all-time receiving yards chart. He has gained 9,057 receiving yards in his 10-year career. Hopkins is one 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. Cory Fleming (Orlando) 9,164
5. Greg Hopkins (Los Angeles) 9,057
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) 8,164
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(Force) 480 – 6,795(157 TDs) 48 - 651 528 – 7,446(169 TDs)
Damian Harrell(Crush) 457 – 6,724(138 TDs) 61 – 791 518 – 7,515(163 TDs)
Greg Hopkins(Avengers) 466 – 5,633(116 TDs) 47 - 492 513 – 6,125(121 TDs)
Mike Horacek(Dragons) 399 – 5,248(121 TDs) 51 - 721 450 – 5,969(139 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-breaking play, Hopkins jumped and grabbed 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 35 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) 35,055
2. Aaron Garcia (New York) 32,849
3. Sherdrick Bonner (Arizona) 31,679
4. Clint Dolezel (Las Vegas) 30,628
5. John Kaleo (Los Angeles) 28,409
6. Todd Hammel (Chicago) 26,896

All-Time AFL Leaders –Passing Completions
1. Andy Kelly (New Orleans) 3,166
2. Clint Dolezel (Las Vegas) 2,584
3. Aaron Garcia (New York) 2,555
4. Sherdrick Bonner (Arizona) 2,541
5. John Kaleo (Los Angeles) 2,352
6. Todd Hammel (Chicago) 2,146

All-Time AFL Leaders –Passing Touchdowns
1. Aaron Garcia (New York) 683
2. Andy Kelly (New Orleans) 680
3. Sherdrick Bonner (Arizona) 632
4. Clint Dolezel (Las Vegas) 612
5. John Kaleo (Los Angeles) 465
6. Todd Hammel (Chicago) 420

Since Start of 2004 Season –Passing Touchdowns
1. Tony Graziani (L.A./Philadelphia) 152
2. Aaron Garcia (New York) 139
3. Andy Kelly (Detroit/New Orleans) 133
3. Clint Dolezel (Las Vegas) *plays 3/28 130
5. John Kaleo (Tampa Bay/L.A.) 120

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 during 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.


PREVIOUS MEETING WITH NEW YORK:

AVENGERS SLAY DRAGONS, 58-53

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (May 16, 2004) -- The Los Angeles Avengers ended a two-game losing streak and kept their postseason hopes alive with a 58-53 victory over the New York Dragons on Sunday afternoon before 9,547 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Quarterback Tony Graziani passed for seven touchdowns, pushing his season total to 88 for the Avengers, who improved to 8-6 on the season. Offensive specialist Chris Jackson was on the other end of four of those scoring tosses and finished with eight receptions for 125 yards, earning "Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive player of the Game" honors.

Graziani's counterpart, Aaron Garcia, was 15-of-28 for 294 yards and six touchdowns, but was also intercepted two times as the Dragons fell to 8-6.

Ironically enough, the result of the game had no affect on the playoff positioning of either team. Los Angeles entered the weekend occupying the eighth and final postseason spot, while New York was sitting in sixth. That remains the same as both teams move toward its final two regular-season games. Although both clubs are now 8-6 and the Avengers own a head-to-head victory over the Dragons, New York maintains its positioning over Los Angeles because the Austin Wranglers and Orlando Predators are also 8-6 and the Dragons have a common opponent edge over those three teams.

The Avengers, who beat the Dragons for the second consecutive year on the road and are now 3-0 versus New York all-time, are scheduled to conclude the 2004 regular season with a pair of home games at STAPLES Center. Los Angeles will host the red-hot Las Vegas Gladiators on Saturday, May 22, and then take on the Orlando Predators on Sunday, May 30.

Los Angeles can clinch its third consecutive playoff berth this weekend if it is able to break Las Vegas' four-game winning streak (the Gladiators have held their opponents under 40 points in all four games) and Tampa Bay, Indiana, New York and Austin all lose.

Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss would prefer to avoid the scoreboard watching and simply win the remaining two games his team has left.

"Ten wins gets you in and that's what we want," said Hodgkiss, who is now 5-0 in games after two consecutive losses. "We don't want to settle for nine and just hope. We want to get 10 and be in for sure."

The Avengers, who led by as many as 22 points in the first half, suddenly found themselves up by just three with 12:34 remaining after New York FB/LB Josh White rumbled into the end zone for one of his three TDs on the day, trimming the L.A. advantage to 41-38.

Graziani responded on the next play from scrimmage, hitting Jackson for a 37-yard scoring strike, which was L.A.'s first touchdown of the second half. Remy Hamilton's extra point put the Avengers up, 48-38, with 10:20 remaining.

On his ensuing kickoff, Hamilton perfectly executed his "pop" onside kick. Defensive specialist Jason Moore's routine recovery of the high bounce along the sideline allowed the Avenger offense to set up shop with a first down at its on 15-yard line.

Shortly thereafter, Jackson made the play of the game, catching his fourth and final touchdown pass of the day. This time, on a crucial third-and-10 play from midfield, he made a sensational catch with just his left hand as he fell across the goal line. That put the Avengers ahead, 55-38, with 5:47 left.

"Chris stepped up big time for us," Hodgkiss said. "That was a third down and 10 play with a lot on the line and he made that play. That's the kind of players that we need."

The Dragons fought back with a pair of Garcia touchdown passes to establish the final margin with 22 seconds remaining, but Jackson ended New York's hope for a miracle finish by recovering the ensuing onside kick attempt by Dragon kicker Gary Kral, who missed three PATs.

Early on it looked as if Los Angeles might run away and hide. Scoring on all six of their offensive possessions of the first half, the Avengers took a 38-19 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The Dragons scored the first 13 points of the second half to trim L.A.'s lead to 38-32 with 7:48 left in the third quarter and then New York had an opportunity to take the lead after Avenger rookie Henry Douglas fumbled at his own 16-yard line. But, L.A. star Greg Hopkins intercepted a Garcia pass in the end zone after it was batted into the air at the line of scrimmage.

The Avengers weren't able to fully cash in on the turnover, settling for a 16-yard field goal by Hamilton to go up, 41-32, on the final play of the third quarter. But, the Dragons were successfully turned away after launching an impressive comeback from their early deficit.

Los Angeles gained the upper hand in the closing moments of the first quarter when defensive specialist Damen Wheeler forced Dragon offensive specialist Richmond Flowers to fumble at his own 11-yard line. Avenger WR/LB Jerome Riley recovered, giving L.A. a first-and-goal at the nine. Three plays later, Jackson scored on a four-yard toss from Graziani, which put Los Angeles up 21-7 with 14:37 left in the first half.


LOS ANGELES (8-6) 14 24 3 17 -- 58
NEW YORK (8-6) 7 12 13 21 -- 53


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
4/1 Waived WR/LB-OS Jerome Riley
4/1 Activated from injured reserve QB Ryan Van DykeWR/LB-OS Jerome Riley
4/1 Signed from practice squad OL/DL Jerome Stevens
4/1 Placed on injured reserve QB Brian MannOL/DL John Schlecht
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-OS 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


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 his last 17 games, 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.


RUSHING RECORDS: In L.A.'s last game at Orlando on April 3, FB/LB Lonnie Ford scored three rushing touchdowns to set a new Avenger single-game record (nine players had scored two rushing touchdowns in a game a total of 13 times, including Ford, who did the trick twice). QB John Kaleo also ran for a score versus the Predators, giving the Avengers four rushing TDs in each of their last two games. Ford also broke another team record at Orlando, becoming the franchise's all-time leader in career rushing touchdowns. He now has 14 rushing scores in three seasons, breaking the mark of 12 set by FB/LB Chad Dukes in 2002.


L.A. IN O.T.: The Avengers have an all-time record of 3-5 in overtime games. Los Angeles is 3-1 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 eight 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 six seasons of play in the AFL (once in 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2005, and twice in 2001 and 2003).

Avengers in OvertimeCategory Record
All-time 3-5
At home 0-4
On the road 3-1
When getting the ball first 1-3
When getting the ball second 2-2
When scoring a touchdown 3-3
When scoring first 3-2
When scoring second 0-1
When a field goal is attempted 0-2
When missing a PAT kick 1-2
When getting a two-point conversion 0-0
When allowing a two-point conversion 0-1

FIRST-QUARTER BLUES: In nine games this season, the Avengers have scored only 58 points in the first quarter (average of 6.4 points), while opponents have countered with 108. The second quarter is when the Avengers shine most, scoring a total of 133 points (average of 14.8 points). L.A. also does well in the third quarter, racking up 141 (average of 15.7 points). But, things slow down in the fourth quarter when the Avengers have been outscored, 151-116.

IN THE ZONE OUT EAST: When the Avengers 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 11 games in the Eastern Time Zone. 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.


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
· 2-3 on the road
· 3-1 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
· 4-3 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
· 2-1 when they score first
· 5-1 when they commit fewer turnovers
· 0-1 when they commit more turnovers
· 2-2 when a player scores three or more touchdowns
· 2-1 when they score two or more TDs on the ground
· 2-3 when John Kaleo throws for at least 5 TDs
· 5-3 when John Kaleo passes for 200+ yards
· 2-0 when John Kaleo passes for 300+ yards
· 3-1 when John Kaleo doesn't throw an INT
· 2-1 when Kevin Ingram scores two or more TDs
· 3-3 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
· 4-1 when Remy Hamilton scores at least 11 points
· 0-1 when Antuan Simmons makes at least one INT
· 1-3 when they commit fewer penalties
· 0-3 when they record at least one sack
· 1-1 when they pitch a shutout in a quarter
· 3-1 when the game is decided by 7 or fewer points
· 2-0 when leading at halftime
· 2-4 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:

PREDS OUT-KICK AVENGERS IN OT

ORLANDO, Fla. (April 3, 2005) -- The Avengers could not escape "The Jungle" with a victory over the Predators after a 19-point second half comeback that sent the game into overtime ended in heartbreaking fashion with a 55-54 loss on Sunday afternoon at the TD Waterhouse Centre.

The loss dropped Los Angeles to 5-4 and into second-place in the Western Division. The Predators improved to 7-3 and moved into a tie with the Georgia Force atop the Southern Division.

Despite having another overall good game, Avenger kicker Remy Hamilton's missed extra point in overtime proved to be the difference.

"I told the team not to hang their heads because we battled back against one of the best teams in the league, Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss said. "But the reality of it is we are 5-4."

For the third consecutive season, a game between Orlando and Los Angeles came down to the final play.

Orlando quarterback Joe Hamilton's touchdown pass to Jerrian James and kicker Brian Gowins' extra point gave the Predators a dramatic 55-54 win with 9:36 remaining in the extra period.

The Avengers scored first in overtime as FB/LB Lonnie Ford scored on a one-yard dive put the visitors ahead, 54-48. Then, Remy Hamilton, the AFL's top kicker who was 4-of-5 on field goals on the day, booted his PAT attempt left.

"It was a bad snap and it threw me off a little bit and I pulled it," Hamilton said. "But there are no excuses, I should have made it."

Every time it looked like the Avengers were going to find a way to win, the Predators answered. Right after Ford scored his second of three rushing touchdowns, with just 28 seconds left in regulation play, to give Los Angeles the lead for the first time since the first quarter, Joe Hamilton came right back and hit WR/LB Cory Fleming to tie the game at 48-48. Gowins missed the extra point for the Predators, sending the game into overtime.

"It is a tough loss," said Avenger OL/DL Fred Ray, who played for the Predators from 2000 to 2004. "But Orlando is a great team and we played them tough. We proved that we can hang with any team in this league and that we are a championship quality team."

Joe Hamilton was 24-of-29 for 362 yards and seven touchdowns, while Fleming had 11 catches for 159 yards and four touchdowns. Offensive specialist Jimmy Fryzel also had a big game for Orlando, as he finished with nine grabs for 151 yards and two touchdowns.
Los Angeles quarterback John Kaleo struggled at times and finished 18-of-38 for 277 yards and two touchdowns.

Led by WR/LB Greg Hopkins, the Avenger defense did its best to keep Los Angeles in the game and send it to overtime. Whenever the Avengers needed a big play, Hopkins seemed to make it. His two interceptions off of Hamilton led to 10 second-half points for the Avengers, but in the end it proved to be too little to late.

It looked as if the Avenger offense was going to pick up where it left off in last week's victory over Tampa Bay, scoring on its first offensive play with Kaleo finding OS Tony Locke for a 36-yard touchdown.

Remy Hamilton, who converted on field goals from 28, 43, 22 and 32 yards, is now 23-of-27 on the season.


LOS ANGELES (5-4) 10 6 17 15 6 -- 54
ORLANDO (7-3) 14 14 14 6 7 -- 55

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 a 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 last month and coaches 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 ended 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 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
9 @ Orlando WR/LB Cory Fleming (Orlando)159 rec. yards, 4 TDs, 2.5 tackles

"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
9 @ Orlando WR/LB Greg Hopkins (L.A.)4 tackles, 2 interceptions


"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
9 @ Orlando OS Jimmy Fryzel (Orlando)9 catches, 151 yards, 2 TDs



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 6, 2005


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