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Los Angeles Avengers game notes

January 31, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release


THE QUICK FACTS:
Game: Los Angeles Avengers at Philadelphia Soul
Date: Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006
Kickoff: 10 a.m. (Pacific)
Site: Wachovia Center (17,597) - Philadelphia, Pa.
Television: KNBC Channel 4 (Allen Bestwick, Pat Haden, Marty Snider)
Radio: AM 570 (Isaac Lowenkron, Troy West)
Spanish Radio: ESPN Deportes AM 1330 (Edu Villamar, Mario Amaya)
Satellite Radio: Sirius (channel TBA)
Internet Radio: www.xtrasportsradio.com
Line: TBA
Series Record: First meeting
Last Meeting: N/A
Officials: David Cutaia (R), Doug Wilson (U), Greg Shields (HL), Dave Chesney (LJ), James Cole (BJ)
Head Coaches:
Los Angeles -- Ed Hodgkiss (fifth season, 39-24)
Philadelphia -- Bret Munsey (first season, 1-0)

THE AVENGERS: The defending Western Division champion Avengers, who opened their seventh season in the 20-year-old Arena Football League with a 40-31 victory over the Arizona Rattlers on Jan. 29, hit the road to face the Philadelphia Soul on Sunday, Feb. 5. Los Angeles' season-opening victory somewhat mirrored its 2005 division-title campaign as the Avengers made key plays on offense, but also relied heavily on their defense and special teams. Led by WR/DB Kevin Ingram, OL/DL Silas Demary and DS Damen Wheeler, Los Angeles shut out the Rattlers in the fourth quarter to protect the six-point lead it held after three quarters of play. Remy Hamilton, who set several league records last season, picked up right where he left off in 2005, nailing all four of his field goal attempts on his way to earning "Offensive Player of the Game" honors. The Avengers played both of their quarterbacks -- Brian Mann and Ryan Van Dyke -- and finished with 274 yards of offense. Mann, who started and took the large majority of the snaps, was 10-of-27 for 193 yards and three touchdowns. Ingram led the way for the receivers, catching seven passes for 126 yards and one score, and also came up with a crucial interception in the fourth quarter. He was selected as both the "Ironman of the Game" and the "ADT Defensive Player of the Game." Ingram's accolades continued to flow in two days later when he was voted the AFL's "Ironman of the Week." Last year, the Avengers effectively utilized a balanced effort rooted in all three phases of the game. Los Angeles featured a lethal offense in 2005, leading the AFL in scoring percentage (74.4 percent) and posting an average of 53.8 points per game. But the Avengers were also effective on defense and special teams. One player who contributes in all three phases is WR/LB Greg Hopkins, who recently was named to AFL's prestigious "20 Greatest Players" list. He is in his 11th season in the league and is likely to become only the fifth player in history to surpass 10,000 receiving yards in a career. In addition to Ingram, who won the AFL's "Ironman of the Year" award, two other Avengers had incredible seasons in 2005. Demary was simply unstoppable, finishing with 13.5 record-breaking quarterback sacks on his way to being selected as the league's "Defensive Player of the Year" and "Lineman of the Year." Hamilton kicked 29-of-39 field goals, led the team in scoring with 185 points and earned AFL "Kicker of the Year" honors.

THE STORYLINES:
4 Avengers face former QB Tony Graziani for first time
... more on Page 2
4 Silas Demary continues to pressure the passer
... more on Page 2
4 Kicker Remy Hamilton's foot stays red hot
... more on Page 4
4 Kevin Ingram's homecoming game in Philadelphia
... more on Page 4

LOS ANGELES AVENGERS
2006 SCHEDULE (1-0)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 29 Arizona Win 40-31
Rest of season Opponent Time(PT) Television
Feb. 5 @ Philadelphia 10 a.m. NBC
Feb. 12 @ Grand Rapids 11 a.m.
Feb. 18 Chicago 7:30 FSN West 2
Feb. 25 Utah 7:30 FSN West
Mar. 5 @ Orlando 9 a.m. NBC
Mar. 12 @ San Jose 3 p.m. NBC
Mar. 19 Colorado 3:30
Mar. 24 @ Arizona 6 p.m. FSN West 2
April 2 @ Las Vegas 3 p.m. FSN West 2
April 9 @ Kansas City 10 a.m. NBC
April 15 @ Utah 6 p.m.
April 22 New York 7:30 FSN West 2
April 29 San Jose 7:30
May 6 Nashville 7:30
May 13 Las Vegas 7:30

AVENGER HEAD COACH: One of the brightest offensive masterminds in the AFL, Ed Hodgkiss is in his fifth season as the head coach of the Avengers. In his four previous seasons, he compiled a record of 38-24 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 captured their first Western Division championship and compiled a 10-6 record. Under Hodgkiss' direction, Los Angeles led the league in offensive scoring percentage (74.4 percent) and turnover margin (+17). He finished second in the balloting for AFL "Coach of the Year" honors. In 2004, the Avengers went 9-7 and led the AFL in scoring, averaging 56.5 points per game. 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). 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. Prior to joining the Avengers, Hodgkiss was the Indiana Firebirds' offensive coordinator for three seasons (1999-2001) and was part of an ArenaBowl championship in 1999.

PLAYING FOR HIGH STAKES: Twice in the previous three seasons, the Avengers came one regular-season victory shy of earning the AFL's No. 1 overall seed. Last season, Los Angeles had already wrapped up its first Western Division championship when it traveled to Grand Rapids. The Avengers led by a touchdown at halftime, but eventually lost to the Rampage, 71-65, while resting several key starters in the second half. In other key games on that final regular-season weekend, New York beat Colorado and San Jose beat Georgia, which meant L.A. would have been the No. 1 overall seed if it had beaten Grand Rapids (by virtue of a head-to-head tiebreaker over Georgia). Two years earlier, the Avengers closed the 2003 regular season with a monumental showdown at San Jose. Both teams entered that contest at 11-4, and the Western Division championship and overall No. 1 seed in the playoffs would go to the winner. The SaberCats won, 47-43, and earned home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

TOPS IN TURNOVERS IN 2005 AND 2004: The Avengers led the AFL in turnover margin in 2005 with an amazing +17 (two teams finished way back in second at +8). Last season, Los Angeles had a league-leading 37 takeaways (22 INTs and 15 fumble recoveries). The Avengers turned over the ball only 20 times (fewest in the AFL). L.A. committed only 11 turnovers in its 10 regular-season victories last season. In 2004, the Avengers turned the ball over just 11 times (fewest in the AFL) and tied the Chicago Rush for an AFL-best turnover margin of +15. After just one game this season, the Avengers are even in turnovers, having thrown one interception and made one interception in the season-opening victory over Arizona.

THE SERIES: This will be the first meeting between the Avengers and Soul. The game also will mark the first time Los Angeles faces its former quarterback Tony Graziani, who is in his second year as the star of the Soul. Graziani joined the Avengers at the tail end of the 2001 season. He was L.A.'s starting QB for three seasons (2002-04) and led the Avengers into the playoffs in each of those years. During his career with the Avengers, Graziani was 943-for-1,509 (62.5 percent) for 12,376 yards and 269 touchdowns. In addition, four other players on the Soul roster -- QB Matt Sauk, FB/LB Chad Dukes, FB/LB Wes Ours and OL/DL Cecil Caldwell -- are former Avengers.

DOMINANT ON DEFENSE: Avenger lineman Silas Demary didn't register a sack in the season-opening victory over Arizona, but he was in the face of Rattler QB Sherdrick Bonner all afternoon and got credit for three "quarterback hurries." Demary, the 2005 AFL "Defensive Player of the Year" and "Lineman of the Year" award winner, broke what was the oldest record in AFL history with 13.5 quarterback sacks last season. Craig Walls of the Pittsburgh Gladiators established the record with 13 sacks in 1987. Demary played in 15 games for the Avengers in 2005 (he missed the Dallas game on March 18 [L.A.'s only loss at home last year] while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee), but he recorded 12.5 of his sacks in the last eight regular-season games. He broke the record on May 21, 2005, by bringing down Grand Rapids quarterback Michael Bishop for a three-yard loss on the Rampage's first offensive play of the game. Demary also set a single-game Avenger record with four sacks versus New York on April 10 (three in the first quarter alone).

SACK MASTER: Never before in the history of the Arena Football League has there been a defensive performance by a lineman like the one Silas Demary gave last season. As Week 10 began, he had only one sack, but then exploded for 12.5 to end up breaking one of the most elusive and incredible records in the game.

All-Time AFL Leaders -Sacks in a Single Season
1. Silas Demary (Los Angeles, 2005) 13.5
2. Craig Walls (Pittsburgh, 1987) 13.0
3. Joe March (Denver, 1991) 12.5

JUST ONCE: In the "Ed Hodgkiss Era," which now spans 63 regular-season games, the Avengers have been under .500 for only one week ... following last 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 seven weeks under .500 since the start of the 2002 season.

JUST FIVE ARE ROOKIES: Five of the 20 players on L.A.'s current roster are rookies. They are: offensive specialist Kareem Kelly, and linemen Isaac Hilton, Trevor Hutton, Reggie Rhodes and Jason Stewart. Last season, 17 of the 34 players who suited up for the Avengers (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, Ryan Van Dyke and Eddie Galles) experienced their first taste of AFL action in 2005.

L.A. STORY: At 10-6 last season, the Avengers nearly tied the franchise's all-time best record. 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.

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) 10-6 (playoffs 0-1)
2006 (Ed Hodgkiss) 1-0

TOP BOSSES: L.A.'s Ed Hodgkiss is ranked fifth 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 * 151-60 .716
3. Darren Arbet * 73-32 .695
4. Danny White * 122-55 .689
5. Ed Hodgkiss * 39-24 .619
6. Jay Gruden * 55-34 .618
7. Mike Dailey * 80-53 .601
8. Pat Sperduto * 34-24-1 .585
9. John Gregory 67-51 .568
10. Todd Shell 53-45 .541

KEEPING IT CLOSE: Only seven of the 24 losses that Ed Hodgkiss has suffered as the head coach of the Avengers have been by more than seven points.

SLOW STARTERS: In the season-opening victory over Arizona, the Avengers followed a familiar pattern, starting off the game slowly with 16 points in the first half, picking it up in the third quarter with 21 points and closing out the game with just a field goal in the fourth quarter. In 16 regular-season games last season, the Avengers scored only 133 points in the first quarter (average of 8.3 points), while opponents countered with 171. The second quarter was when the Avengers shined brightest, scoring a total of 258 points (average of 16.1 points). L.A. also did well in the third quarter, racking up 252 (average of 15.8 points). But, things slowed down in the fourth quarter when the Avengers were outscored, 275-212.

... WHEN THEY DID GET AHEAD: The Avengers have held the lead at halftime in only seven of their last 18 games, and went on to win six of those games (the only loss was in the 2005 regular-season finale at Grand Rapids).

... AND AFTER THREE QUARTERS: The Avengers are 41-10 all-time when leading or tied after three quarters of play.

ANOTHER NEW QB: For the second consecutive season, the Avengers opened the year with a new starting quarterback. This time, Brian Mann got the nod in the opener, taking over for John Kaleo, who signed a free agent contract with Columbus in the offseason after his one-year stint in L.A. Mann was 10-of-27 for 193 yards and three touchdowns in his debut as an AFL starter. Second-year man Ryan Van Dyke also saw some action in the second quarter versus Arizona. He was 6-of-10 for 56 yards and tossed one interception. Prior to Kaleo, the Avenger starter for three seasons (2002-04) was Tony Graziani, whom the Avengers will face on Sunday in Philadelphia.

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 9,503 receiving yards in his 11-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) 13,090
2. Eddie Brown (1994-2003) 12,730
3. Gary Compton (1992-2004) 10,247
4. Cory Fleming (Nashville) 9,704
5. Greg Hopkins (Los Angeles) 9,503
6. George LaFrance (1988-2000) 9,004
7. Hunkie Cooper (1993-2005) 8,600
8. Darryl Hammond (Nashville) 8,474
9. Calvin Schexnayder (1994-2005) 8,377
10. Stevie Thomas (1991-2001) 7,906

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, 2005, to break a tie with Orlando defensive specialist Kenny "The Glove" McEntyre at the top of the 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

SECRET IS SCORING 60: Dating back to the 2004 season, the Avengers are 9-1 when they score 60 or more points (the only loss came in the 2005 regular-season finale at Grand Rapids, when the Avenger rested several key starters in the second half.). The team did not score more than 55 points in all seven of its losses in 2004 and in five of the six defeats last season.

WHEELER CONTINUES TO ROLL: Avenger DS Damen Wheeler has come up with 11 INTs in his last 25 games, dating back to the tail end of the 2003 season.

KICKING UP A STORM: Avenger kicker Remy Hamilton, who led the AFL in field goals (29), field-goal percentage (.744) and kicking points (185) last season, started off the 2006 campaign on the right foot, booting all four of his field goal attempts (20, 22, 29, 42) in the season-opening victory over Arizona on Jan. 29. The 2005 campaign was been nothing short of amazing for him. Hamilton was 29-for-39 (.744) on field goals in 2005 and opened the year by hitting his first 11 three-pointers. Dating back to the end of the 2004 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, 2005. He scored a total of 22 points versus the Wranglers, came up with a key fumble recovery and 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 of the 2005 season, 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." Last season, he was 6-of-12 from beyond 40 yards (41, 41, 43, 43, 48, 50). Hamilton's 10 misses in 2005 were from 16 (blocked), 28, 29, 31, 41, 47, 48, 50, 53 and 56 yards out.

RECORD SETTING SEASON: Last season, Avenger Remy Hamilton set a new AFL record for field goal percentage in a single season. In 2004, Jay Taylor of the Orlando Predators set the mark at .720 (18-of-25). Hamilton's percentage in 2005 was .744 (29-of-39). He and Taylor are the only two players in the 20-year history of the Arena Football League to have a field-goal percentage better than .639. Hamilton also made a run at the league's all-time record for field goals in a single season, which was set by Daron Alcorn, who kicked 32 in 1999 for the Portland Forest Dragons. 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) 1,226
3. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles) 1,079
4. Steve McLaughlin (1998-2004) 781

All-Time AFL Leaders -Field Goals Made in a Career
1. Mike Black (1993-2004) 178
2. Steve Videtich (Columbus) 163
3. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles) 137
4. Kenny Stucker (1994-99) 118

All-Time AFL Leaders -Field Goals Percentage in a Single Season
1. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles, 2005) .744
2. Jay Taylor (Orlando, 2004) .720
3. Steve McLaughlin (Nashville, 2001) .639

All-Time AFL Leaders -Field Goals Made in a Single Season
1. Daron Alcorn (Portland, 1999) 32
2. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles, 2005) 29
3. Daron Alcorn (Portland, 1997) 27

HOMECOMING: L.A.'s first game at Philadelphia also will be a homecoming for Kevin Ingram, who grew up in nearby Levittown, Pa. (he attended Harry S. Truman High School). During the past two offseasons, he lived in Philadelphia. Ingram is expecting to have as many as 90 supporters in the stands at the Wachovia Center.

ROAD WARRIOR: In his last 22 games away from STAPLES Center, WR/DB Kevin Ingram has caught 96 passes for 1,154 yards and 30 TDs. Despite playing alongside a constellation of AFL stars for much of his career, Ingram's contributions have not gone unnoticed, winning the "Ironman of the Game" award in eight road games over the course of the previous two years.

"IRONMAN" INGRAM: In his last 43 games, WR/DB Kevin Ingram has been selected as the "Ironman of the Game" 16 times. L.A. won each of those games, which includes this year's season-opening victory over Arizona (Jan. 29) and six victories last season -- at Arizona (March 6); vs. Tampa Bay (March 26); vs. New York (April 3); vs. Arizona (April 30); at San Jose (May 7); and vs. Las Vegas (May 14).

INFLUX OF INTERCEPTIONS: In the 54-42 victory at San Jose on May 7, 2005, the Avengers broke a franchise single-season record for interceptions. L.A.'s three picks (all by WR/DB Kevin Ingram, which set an individual single-game Avenger record) pushed the team total for the 2005 season to 22. The previous record was 19, by the 2003 squad. The Avengers came away with at least one interception in 12 of the 16 games last season. L.A. failed to get a pick in the games versus Dallas, at Nashville and at Grand Rapids, which all ended in defeat, and also didn't intercept Las Vegas' Clint Dolezel in the Western Division title clinching victory on May 14, 2005.

RUSHING RECORDS: In L.A.'s game at Orlando on April 3, 2005, FB/LB Lonnie Ford scored three rushing touchdowns to set a new Avenger single-game record. He also broke another team record at Orlando, becoming the franchise's all-time leader in career rushing touchdowns. Ford now has 18 rushing scores in three seasons, breaking the mark of 12 set by FB/LB Chad Dukes in 2002. He also has broken Dukes' team record for career rushing yards with 332. The Avengers have rushed for 20 touchdowns in their last 10 games.

LOCKE WAS THE KEY: Much like they did a year ago, the Avengers began the season without offensive specialist Tony Locke. This year he's on the injured reserve list (hand). Last season, Locke began the year on the practice squad and went on to have a dramatic influence on the L.A. offense after joining the active roster in Week 4. In the first three weeks of the 2005 season, the Avengers averaged just 217.3 passing yards per game. In the 13 games that Locke has played in, L.A. averaged 263.4 yards passing per game (reflecting a 21 percent increase). The team's touchdown passes per game also went up from 4.0 in the first three games to 5.4 in the last 13. Locke, who led the team with 27 touchdown receptions last season, also had six 100-yard games in 2005, and was named the "Offensive Player of the Game" five times. The Avengers were 4-1 last season when Locke caught at least three touchdown passes in a game (the only loss came in the 2005 regular-season finale at Grand Rapids).

ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE STANDINGS:

AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Western Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
AVENGERS 1 0 0 1.000 40 31
Utah 1 0 0 1.000 48 35
Arizona 0 1 0 .000 31 40
Las Vegas 0 1 0 .000 46 64
San Jose 0 1 0 .000 35 48

Central Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Colorado 1 0 0 1.000 65 56
Nashville 1 0 0 1.000 57 28
Chicago 0 1 0 .000 56 65
Grand Rapids 0 1 0 .000 30 53

NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Eastern Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Columbus 1 0 0 1.000 53 30
Dallas 1 0 0 1.000 58 44
Philadelphia 1 0 0 1.000 52 34
New York 0 1 0 .000 28 57

Southern Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Austin 1 0 0 1.000 64 46
Georgia 1 0 0 1.000 48 31
Kansas City 0 1 0 .000 44 58
Orlando 0 1 0 .000 31 48
Tampa Bay 0 1 0 .000 34 52

AFL WEEK 2 SCHEDULE (all times Pacific):

Friday, February 3
Tampa Bay at Grand Rapids - 4:30 p.m.
Kansas City at Orlando - 4:30 p.m.
Columbus at Nashville - 5 p.m.
New York at Chicago - 5:30 p.m.
Austin at Arizona - 6 p.m.
Saturday, February 4
Dallas at Utah - 6 p.m.
Sunday, February 5
Los Angeles at Philadelphia - 10 a.m.
Colorado at Georgia - 10 a.m.
Monday, February 6
San Jose at Las Vegas - 7:30 p.m.

QUICK-STRIKE OFFENSE: Fifty-seven of L.A.'s 116 offensive touchdowns dating back to last season were scored on "drives" of three plays or less. In fact, 14 of them on one-play "drives." Over the course of the last three seasons, 195-of-357 Avenger TDs were of the quick-strike variety (57 on a single play).

Avenger Touchdown Drives (2003-06)
Total TDDrives Quick Strikes (percent) 1 Play Score
2003 124 81 (65 %) 25
2004 117 57 (49 %) 18
2005 112 55 (49 %) 13
2006 4 2 (50 %) 1
Total 357 195 (55 %) 57

BANNER DAY: Prior to the season-opening victory over Arizona, the Avengers showcased the newest addition to the wall at STAPLES Center -- their 2005 AFL Western Division championship banner, which includes a tribute to the late Al Lucas.

AVENGERS 2005 RESULTS (10-6, 0-1)
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
April 10 New York Win 66-35
April 17 @ Nashville Loss 51-48
April 23 Chicago Win 52-49
April 30 Arizona Win 59-56
May 7 @ San Jose Win 54-42
May 14 Las Vegas Win 63-60
May 21 @ Grand Rapids Loss 71-65
May 29 Chicago (Playoffs) Loss 52-45

AFL RECORDS SET BY AVENGERS IN 2005:

Sacks (Season)
Silas Demary, 13.5 - (2005)
Field-Goal Percentage (Season)
Remy Hamilton, .744 - (2005)
Field Goals (Consecutive Made)
Remy Hamilton, 12 - (2004-05)
Field Goals (Consecutive Made in Single Season)
Remy Hamilton, 11 - (2005)

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 OT games, the Avenger opponent has been Arizona (L.A. is 1-2 in those contests). In all three overtime victories, L.A. 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 OT 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

LAST GAME:

AVENGERS OPEN SEASON WITH 40-31 VICTORY

By Ben Malcolmson
laavengers.com

LOS ANGELES -- The quarterback controversy was supposed to be the story of the game.
The Avenger defense made sure that wasn't the case.
With stalwart defense and just enough from the offense, the Avengers shut down the Arizona Rattlers in a topsy-turvy 40-31 opening-day victory in front of 11,731 at STAPLES Center on Sunday afternoon.
While quarterbacks Brian Mann and Ryan Van Dyke battled for the lead role, the Los Angeles defense stonewalled Arizona, holding the Rattlers to only 10 second-half points -- and none in the fourth quarter -- to give the defending Western Division champions a win in their first game since the heart-breaking loss to the Chicago Rush in the 2005 playoffs.
It was Los Angeles' best second-half defensive performance since allowing just eight points after halftime to the Buffalo Destroyers in 2003.
Wide receiver/defensive back Kevin Ingram had a performance worthy of the Ironman of the Year award he earned last season, as he caught seven passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. But, fittingly, it was a late-game defensive play that was perhaps his play of the day.
With the Rattlers down by nine and driving with about four minutes remaining, Ingram tipped a deep pass to himself for a spectacular interception.
"He's showing why he's the best player in the AFL," rookie offensive specialist Kareem Kelly said.
Mann, starting his first career game after last year's starter John Kaleo left as a free agent during the offseason, went 10-for-27 for 193 yards and three touchdowns, while Van Dyke, who replaced Mann briefly in the second quarter, threw for 56 yards on 6-for-10 passing.
Mann was back in to stay at the start of the second half, leading the Avengers to 21 points in the third quarter. That put Los Angeles up for good after nine lead changes.
"I wanted to give both of them an opportunity to play," fifth-year coach Ed Hodgkiss said. "I brought Mann out in the second half and he continued to play well, so I just rode him out to the end."
The Avenger receivers aided in Mann's second-half outburst. Besides Ingram's phenomenal performance, Kelly snagged four passes for 48 yards and Greg Hopkins and Lenzie Jackson had two catches each.
The third quarter production was in stark contrast to the first half, when the Avengers scored only one touchdown on five possessions, as the Rattlers held Los Angeles to three field goals and forced one turnover. Meanwhile, Arizona was stopped on two of its five first-half possessions, but it scored touchdowns on the other three to take a 21-16 lead into the intermission.
"The offense started off kind of shaky today," said Kelly, who was playing in his first game since USC beat Iowa in the 2003 Orange Bowl.
While the Avengers stormed out to take control in the second half, the Rattlers took the struggling role. Arizona, hampered by a fourth-quarter shoulder injury to quarterback Sherdrick Bonner, gained only 56 yards after halftime, going 0-for-4 on third down.
"L.A. did what they're supposed to - when you get somebody down, you go for them," said Bonner, who said he did not know the prognosis of his injury.
Although the defense overshadowed the quarterback battle, who starts -- Mann or Van Dyke -- could be an issue in the coming games. After the game, Hodgkiss said it was "too early to say" who would start the next game.
Following an innocuous start, Mann was pulled midway through the second quarter when the Rattlers owned a 14-13 lead.
"We definitely struggled in the first half," said the 25-year-old Mann, who spent the last two seasons as the Avengers' backup. "There's a lot of room to grow, I'll say that."
On Van Dyke's first drive, Arizona's Jeremiah Pope intercepted an errant pass with one hand and returned it 13 yards to the Avenger 24-yard line.
"I tried to make something that wasn't there," said Van Dyke, who was the leading quarterback in NFL Europe in 2004. "That's my fault."
The Avengers scored only a half-ending field goal under Van Dyke.
Both quarterbacks were shaky in the first half, frequently misfiring or simply not knowing their receivers' routes.
But the second half was a different story, and the final score quelled a lot of worry for the Avenger quarterback position.
"I'm just glad we won," Van Dyke said. "As long as the offense is clicking and we're winning games, I'm not going to complain."

ARIZONA (0-1) 7 14 10 0 -- 31
LOS ANGELES (1-0) 10 6 21 3 -- 40

RECENT AVENGER TRANSACTIIONS:
Date Action Player
1/23 Placed on injured reserve OL/DL Jemelle CageOL/DL Charles Howard0S Tony LockeWR/DB Antoine BurnsOL/DL Rod ManuelOL/DL Richard SealsQB Sonny CumbieWR/DB Ricky Sharpe
1/22 Waived OL/DL Marc ManfreddaOL/DL Mike RogersDS Jermaine SmithWR/DB Tramissian Davis
1/22 Waived(injured) DS Walter Bernard
1/22 Released OL/DL Furnell Hankton
1/16 Waived(non-claimable) DS Mark Estelle
1/14 Signed WR/DB Antoine Burns
1/14 Placed on other league exempt WR/DB Ataveus CashWR/DB Terrence Stubbs
1/5 Signed WR/DB Tramissian DavisWR/DB Lenzie Jackson
1/4 Signed OL/DL Marc ManfreddaOL/DL Michael Rogers

THIS SEASON THE AVENGERS ARE ...
- 1-0 at STAPLES Center
- 0-0 on the road
- 0-0 when they score more than 50 points
- 0-0 when they score 60 or more points
- 0-0 when they score 70 or more points
- 1-0 when they allow less than 50 points
- 1-0 when they allow less than 40 points
- 1-0 when they score first
- 0-0 when they commit fewer turnovers
- 0-0 when they commit more turnovers
- 1-0 whey they make at least one interception
- 0-0 when a player scores three or more touchdowns
- 1-0 when Josh Jeffries scores at least on rushing TD
- 0-0 when they throw for at least 5 touchdowns
- 1-0 when they pass for 200+ yards
- 0-0 when they pass for 300+ yards
- 0-0 when they don't throw an INT
- 0-0 when Kevin Ingram scores two or more TDs
- 1-0 when Kevin Ingram catches 6 or more passes
- 1-0 when Kevin Ingram intercepts at least one pass
- 0-0 when Greg Hopkins scores two or more TDs
- 0-0 when Greg Hopkins catches six or more passes
- 1-0 when Remy Hamilton scores at least 12 points
- 0-0 when they commit fewer penalties
- 1-0 when they record at least one sack
- 1-0 when they pitch a shutout in a quarter
- 0-0 when the game is decided by 7 or fewer points
- 0-0 when leading at halftime
- 1-0 when trailing at halftime
- 0-0 when tied at halftime

LAST SEASON THE AVENGERS WERE ...
- 7-1 at STAPLES Center
- 3-5 on the road
- 8-2 when they score more than 50 points
- 4-1 when they score 60 or more points
- 1-0 when they score 70 or more points
- 8-4 when they allow less than 60 points
- 6-1 when they allow less than 50 points
- 3-0 when they allow less than 40 points
- 5-3 when they score first
- 9-1 when they commit fewer turnovers
- 1-2 when they commit more turnovers
- 9-3 whey they make at least one interception
- 6-3 when a player scores three or more touchdowns
- 4-1 when Tony Locke catches 3 or more TD passes
- 5-2 when they score two or more TDs on the ground
- 7-4 when John Kaleo throws for at least 5 TDs
- 10-4 when John Kaleo passes for 200+ yards
- 2-1 when John Kaleo passes for 300+ yards
- 6-3 when John Kaleo doesn't throw an INT
- 5-3 when Kevin Ingram scores two or more TDs
- 7-4 when Kevin Ingram catches 6 or more passes
- 3-3 when Greg Hopkins scores two or more TDs
- 3-3 when Greg Hopkins catches six or more passes
- 6-3 when Remy Hamilton scores at least 11 points
- 4-4 when they commit fewer penalties
- 4-5 when they record at least one sack
- 2-1 when they pitch a shutout in a quarter
- 6-3 when the game is decided by 7 or fewer points
- 6-1 when leading at halftime
- 3-4 when trailing at halftime
- 1-1 when tied at halftime



"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 Arizona WR/DB Kevin Ingram (L.A.)7 catches, 126 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 Arizona WR/DB Kevin Ingram (L.A.)2 tackles, 1 interception

"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 Arizona Kicker Remy Hamilton (L.A.)4-for-4 on field goals, 16 points


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 and Rob Turner, Central Michigan University Chippewas.

WINNING RECORD: L.A.'s 59-56 victory over the Arizona Rattlers on April 30, 2005, meant that for the first time in Avenger history, the franchise could boast of a winning record. In their seventh season of play, the Avengers currently have an all-time regular-season record of 47-44.

BROADCAST INFORMATION: As of this moment, Avenger games are schedule to be televised on KNBC five times, FSN West 2 four times (one delayed) and FSN West once. XTRA Sports AM 570 is the flagship radio station for the Avengers, however due to conflicts, three games will be broadcast on 1150-AM and one on 690-AM. Eleven Avenger games also will be aired on Spanish language radio -- eight on ESPN Deportes (1330-AM) and three on 1220-KWKU. Additional television broadcasts could be announced soon. In addition, information regarding high-definition television coverage via H2H (formerly INHD) and broadcasts via Sirius Satellite Radio are forthcoming.

Sunday, Jan. 29, ARIZONA, Noon
TV: Ch. 4 Radio: 690-AM, 1330-KWKW

Sunday, Feb. 5, at Philadelphia, 10 a.m.
TV: Ch. 4 Radio: 570-XTRA, 1330-KWKW, Sirius

Sunday, Feb. 12, at Grand Rapids, 11 a.m.
Radio: 570-XTRA

Saturday, Feb. 18, CHICAGO, 7:30 p.m.
TV: FSNW2 Radio: 570-XTRA, 1330-KWKW

Saturday, Feb. 25, UTAH, 7:30 p.m.
TV: FSNW Radio: 570-XTRA, 1330-KWKW

Sunday, March 5, at Orlando, 9 a.m.
TV: Ch. 4 Radio: 570-XTRA

Sunday, March 12, at San Jose, 3 p.m.
TV: Ch. 4 Radio: 1150-AM, 1330-KWKW

Sunday, March 19, COLORADO, 3:30 p.m.
TV: TBA Radio: 570-XTRA, 1330-KWKW

Friday, March 24, at Arizona, 6 p.m.
TV: FSNW2 Radio: 1150-AM
(TV delayed until 10:30 p.m.)

Sunday, April 2, at Las Vegas, 3 p.m.
TV: FSNW2 Radio: 1150-AM, 1330-KWKW

Sunday, April 9, at Kansas City, 10 a.m.
TV: Ch. 4 Radio: 570-XTRA

Saturday, April 15, at Utah, 6 p.m.
Radio: 570-XTRA

Saturday, April 22, NEW YORK, 7:30 p.m.
TV: FSNW2 Radio: 570-XTRA, 1220-KWKU

Saturday, April 29, SAN JOSE, 7:30 p.m.
Radio: 570-XTRA, 1220-KWKU

Saturday, May 6, NASHVILLE, 7:30 p.m.
Radio: 570-XTRA, 1220-KWKU

Saturday, May 13, LAS VEGAS, 7:30 p.m.
Radio: 570-XTRA, 1330-KWKW

NEW FAN-CENTRIC WEBSITE: Two days prior to their 2006 season opener, the Avengers have launched a new state-of-the-art official website that is perhaps the most fan-centric in all of sports.
Within this new model, Avenger fans are the biggest contributors to the website, adding their own unedited opinions and photos to a section called "The Buzz." In addition to being able to communicate with each other at laavengers.com, fans also interact directly with Avenger players, coaches and front office staff members, including Avenger owner and CEO Casey Wasserman. Just like the players they cheer for and the "A-Team" dancers that they love to watch perform, Avenger fans are listed on their own roster and are able to create their own profiles directly on the website.
"We have an avid and loyal fan base, which is at the center of everything we do, so it is only natural that our website reflects that focus in every way," Wasserman said. "Giving Avenger fans an online community of their own, and one that we will also participate in, puts us at the forefront of what I believe will be the wave of the future in terms of websites for professional sports teams."
In addition, the new laavengers.com is extremely media-rich, featuring high-quality videos and photos of players, coaches and fans, which are updated regularly. The multimedia elements compliment the written reports of two beat writers who will cover the team throughout the 2006 season.
Avenger season ticket holders also are able to fully manage their accounts online. Besides being able to buy season-seat packages, purchase individual game tickets and renew accounts, users will be able to transfer individual season tickets to family or friends via email. Furthermore, the website allows tickets to be put up for re-sale and reprinted if necessary.
Everything that a fan would want in a sports-team website is also readily available within the new laavengers.com, including biographical information on nearly every person involved in the franchise, a calendar of events, media releases and area just for the Avengers' youngest fans.
The website was built by Schematic, an industry leader in interface design with offices in Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta.
"No professional sports website offers fans better access than the new laavengers.com," said Nicholas Worth, the president of Schematic. "The site the Avengers just launched lets casual and hard-core fans of the team interact directly with the players and coaches, watch insightful video shorts, and even post photos, comments and fan profiles. You would have to suit up to get any closer to the Avenger squad."

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 31, 2006


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