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Los Angeles Avengers game notes

April 5, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Game: Los Angeles Avengers at Kansas City Brigade
Date: Sunday, April 9, 2006
Kickoff: 10 a.m. (Pacific)
Site: Kemper Arena (16,200)
Television: None
Radio: AM 570 (Isaac Lowenkron, Troy West -- pregame show at 9:30 a.m. [Pacific])
Satellite Radio: SIRIUS (Channel 110)
Line: Los Angeles by 1.5 (over/under 101)
Series Record: First meeting
Last Meeting: N/A
Officials: David Cutaia (R), Paul Frerking (U), Greg Shields (HL), Dave Chesney (LJ), James Cole (BJ)
Head Coaches:
Los Angeles -- Ed Hodgkiss (fifth season, 41-31)
Kansas City -- Kevin Porter (first season, 1-9)

THE AVENGERS: The defending Western Division champion Avengers play the third of four consecutive road games on Sunday when they travel to face the Kansas City Brigade. After losing five consecutive games, L.A. won two in a row, defeating the past two ArenaBowl champions (San Jose and Colorado), but has since dropped its last two. The Avengers surrendered 28 unanswered second-half points two weeks ago in a 58-45 loss at Arizona and trailed Las Vegas from start to finish in a 63-49 defeat last week. Despite its modest 3-7 record, Los Angeles is still just two games back in the race to defend its division title. Veteran WR/DB Kevin Ingram, the 2005 AFL "Ironman of the Year," is having yet another All-Arena campaign. He leads the team in receptions (68 -- 48 of which have been for first downs), receiving yards (817), touchdowns (19) and interceptions (four). In addition, 16 of his catches have come on third down (No. 2 in the AFL). The Avenger offense has received a significant boost from rookie quarterback Sonny Cumbie, who has started L.A.'s previous six games and has already thrown 30 touchdown passes (and only three INTs). On the season, Cumbie is 142-of-247 (57.5 percent) for 1,682 yards, and his passer rating of 103.7 ranks him at No. 10 in the AFL. QB Brian Mann (81-of-145 for 1,028 yards and 16 TDs, with four INTs), who started three of the first four games for the Avengers this season, is now the backup and is contributing significantly on special teams, having made 6.5 tackles on kickoff coverage in recent weeks. Offensive specialist Tony Locke, who opened the season on injured reserve, also has injected some new life in the Avenger offense in the past eight games, catching 54 passes for 779 yards and 11 scores. Remy Hamilton, who set several league records last season, has remained in a groove, hitting 19 of his 24 field goal attempts (79.2 percent) this year. He leads all AFL kickers in scoring with 111 points. Last year, the Avengers effectively utilized a balanced effort rooted in all three phases of the game. L.A. 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 was named to the AFL's prestigious "20 Greatest Players" list prior to the season. He is in his 11th season in the league and one of only five players in AFL history to surpass 10,000 receiving yards in a career (10,022). Hopkins also is currently running for office in Pennsylvania (State Representative - 50th District).

STORYLINES:
4 Greg Hopkins joins the exclusive "10,000 Club"
... see Hopkins note on Page 2
4 Antoine Burns ties team record for KO returns for TDs
... see Burns notes on Page 2
4 QB Sonny Cumbie having "Rookie of the Year" season
... see Cumbie notes on Page 3
4 Right foot of Remy Hamilton still red hot
... see Hamilton notes on Page 4

LOS ANGELES AVENGERS
2006 SCHEDULE (3-7)
Date Opponent Result Score
Jan. 29 Arizona Win 40-31
Feb. 5 @ Philadelphia Loss 47-33
Feb. 12 @ Grand Rapids Loss 66-41
Feb. 18 Chicago Loss 65-46
Feb. 25 Utah Loss 68-66
Mar. 5 @ Orlando Loss 59-34
Mar. 12 @ San Jose Win 75-61
Mar. 19 Colorado Win 60-57
Mar. 24 @ Arizona Loss 58-45
April 2 @ Las Vegas Loss 63-49
Rest of season Opponent Time(PT) Television
April 9 @ Kansas City 10 a.m.
April 15 @ Utah 6 p.m. AFL Net
April 22 New York 7:30 FSN WestDelay 9:30
April 29 San Jose 7:30 AFL Net
May 6 Nashville 7:30
May 13 Las Vegas 7:30 AFL Net

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.

ROAD WARRIOR: In his last 28 games away from STAPLES Center, WR/DB Kevin Ingram has caught 141 passes for 1,651 yards and 43 TDs. Despite playing alongside a constellation of AFL stars for much of his career, Ingram's contributions have not gone unnoticed, winning him the "Ironman of the Game" award in 11 road games over the course of the previous two years.

"IRONMAN" INGRAM: In his last 52 games, WR/DB Kevin Ingram has been selected as the "Ironman of the Game" 19 times. L.A. won all but two of those games (at Philadelphia and at Las Vegas this season).

THE SERIES: This will be the first meeting between the Avengers and Brigade.

MR. 10,000: In Sunday's game at Las Vegas, Avenger WR/LB Greg Hopkins became only the fifth player in AFL history to surpass 10,000 receiving yards in a career.

All-Time AFL Leaders -Receiving Yards
1. Barry Wagner (San Jose) 13,197
2. Eddie Brown (1994-2003) 12,730
3. Gary Compton (1992-2004) 10,247
4. Cory Fleming (Nashville) 10,025
5. Greg Hopkins (Los Angeles) 10,022
6. George LaFrance (1988-2000) 9,004
7. Calvin Schexnayder (San Jose) 8,812
8. Hunkie Cooper (1993-2005) 8,600
9. Darryl Hammond (Nashville) 8,563
10. Stevie Thomas (1991-2001) 7,906

TURNOVER MARGIN TAKES A TURN: The Avengers are currently -2 in turnover margin (tied for 13th in the AFL with Arizona). That's a far cry from where Los Angeles was in the previous two seasons. 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 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. So far this season, the Avengers have come up with only 14 takeaways (nine INTs and five fumble recoveries). Last season at this time, Los Angeles had 25 takeaways (16 INTs and nine fumble recoveries), owned a turnover margin of +14 and was 6-4.

SECRET IS SCORING 60: Dating back to 2004, the Avengers are 11-2 when they score 60 or more points (the only losses came in the 2005 regular-season finale at Grand Rapids, when the Avengers rested several key starters in the second half, and earlier this season versus Utah). The team did not score more than 55 points in all seven of its losses in 2004, in five of the six defeats last season and in six of its seven losses this year.

THIS ANTOINE REALLY BURNS: Although he has been the Avengers' primary kickoff returner for just the past four games, rookie WR/LB Antoine Burns has already made a big impact, returning two kickoffs for touchdowns. In the victory at San Jose on March 12, he exploded for a 57-yard kickoff return for a touchdown (the longest scoring play in Avenger history). Two weeks ago at Arizona, Burns torched the Rattlers with a 53-yarder for a score on his way to piling up 162 yards on eight returns (No. 3 on L.A.'s all-time single game chart). Only one player in the AFL has more kickoff returns for touchdowns this season than Burns, who has a total of 439 yards on 22 returns. But that player, Austin's Sedrick Robinson, has had more than twice as many chances (45 returns for 1,004 yards and three scores).

Avenger Record Book -Kickoff Returns for Touchdowns in a Season
1t. Antoine Burns (2006) * 2
1t. Henry Douglas (2004) * 2
1t. Chad Dukes (2002) 2
* AFL rookie season
THE TEXAS GUNSLINGER: Rookie QB Sonny Cumbie, a strong candidate for AFL "Rookie of the Year" honors, has started L.A.'s last six games and is 142-of-247 (57.5 percent) for 1,682 yards and 30 touchdowns, with only three interceptions (tied for the fewest among all AFL starters). His current passer rating of 103.7 ranks him at No. 10 in the AFL (first among rookies), putting him ahead of veterans such as Arizona's Sherdrick Bonner, Philadelphia's Tony Graziani, Columbus' John Kaleo and Kansas City's Andy Kelly. Furthermore, Cumbie's interception percentage of 1.2 (three INTs in 247 attempts) ranks him second in the AFL, behind only Chicago's Matt D'Orazio (0.9). On March 12, he was 23-of-34 for 348 yards and six TDs in L.A.'s 75-61 victory at San Jose. Those 348 passing yards rank fifth on the all-time Avenger chart. Cumbie threw 17 TD passes in his first three starts, the most by any QB in Avenger history, beating the previous mark set by Tony Graziani, who was in his second AFL season when he tossed 16 in his first three starts for the Avengers. In his starting debut on Feb. 25, Cumbie completed 29 passes (second most in Avenger history), seven of which went for scores (first among all QBs making their first start for the Avengers).

Avenger Record Book -Touchdown Passes in First Three Starts
1. Sonny Cumbie, 2006 (Games 5-6-7) * 17 (7-4-6)
2. Tony Graziani, 2002 (Games 1-2-3) 16 (4-7-5)
3t. Scott Semptimphelter, 2000 (Games 1-2-3) 12 (3-6-3)
3t. John Kaleo, 2005 (Games 1-2-3) 12 (5-2-5)
5. Brian Mann, 2006 (Games 1-2-4) 11 (3-4-4)
6. Todd Marinovich, 2000 (Games 5-6-8) * 10 (4-2-4)
* AFL rookie season

Avenger Record Book -Passing Yards in a Single Game
1. Todd Marinovich (at Houston, 2000) * 469
2. Tony Graziani (vs. Detroit, 2004) 359
3. Tony Graziani (at New York, 2003) 355
4. Tony Graziani (at Georgia, 2002) 352
5. Sonny Cumbie (at San Jose, 2006) * 348
* AFL rookie season

Avenger Record Book -Touchdown Passes in First Start
1. Sonny Cumbie, 2006 (Game 5) * 7
2. John Kaleo, 2005 (Game 1) 5
3t. Tony Graziani, 2002 (Game 1) 4
3t. Todd Marinovich, 2000 (Game 5) * 4
* AFL rookie season

Avenger Record Book -Completions in a Single Game
1. John Kaleo (at Colorado, 2005) 31
2. Sonny Cumbie (vs. Utah, 2006) * 29
3t. Tony Graziani (vs. Arizona, 2004) 28
3t. Tony Graziani (at Dallas, 2003) 28
* AFL rookie season

Avenger Record Book -TD Passes in a Single Game by a Rookie
1. Todd Marinovich (at Houston, 2000) 10
2t. Sonny Cumbie (vs. Utah, 2006) * 7
2t. Todd Marinovich (vs. Milwaukee, 2000) 7
2t. Todd Marinovich (vs. Arizona, 2000) 7
* Starting debut
QUICK-STRIKE OFFENSE: In a flashback to the past, the Avenger offense was in quick-strike mode during its two-game winning streak last month over the past two ArenaBowl champions (San Jose and Colorado), scoring 13 of its 17 touchdowns on "drives" of three plays or less (7-of-10 at San Jose and 6-of-7 vs. Colorado). Eighty-three of L.A.'s 175 offensive touchdowns dating back to last season have been of the quick-strike variety. In fact, 22 of them were on one-play "drives." Over the course of the last three seasons, 221-of-416 Avenger TDs were of the quick-strike variety (65 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 63 28 (44 %) 9
Total 416 221 (53 %) 65

THE SACK STORM OF 2005: Never before in the history of the AFL had there been a defensive performance by a lineman like the one Silas Demary gave last season, which earned him the league's "Defensive Player of the Year" and "Lineman of the Year" awards. As Week 10 began, he had only one sack, but ended up breaking the oldest and most elusive record in the game. 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 seven regular-season games. He broke the record on May 21, 2005, by bringing down Grand Rapids QB Michael Bishop 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).

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

SACKMAN SIDELINED EARLY: Avenger lineman Silas Demary broke two fingers on his left hand in the first quarter of the game at Philadelphia on Feb. 5 (and continued to play the entire game) and was placed on injured reserve on Feb. 11. He missed two games before returning to action on Feb. 25 versus Utah. In that game, he registered his first sack of 2006 and, in the process, forced a fumble that was recovered and returned for a touchdown by Greg Hopkins. In the 75-61 victory at San Jose, Demary made 1.5 tackles, batted down a pass and blocked a crucial extra point attempt. Although Demary didn't register a sack in the first two games of the 2006 season, he did apply constant pressure on the quarterback. In the season-opening victory over Arizona, he was in the face of Rattler QB Sherdrick Bonner all afternoon and got credit for three "quarterback hurries." The following week, Demary got to Philadelphia QB Tony Graziani (a former Avenger teammate) early in the first quarter, knocking him to the turf and out of the game with a dislocated finger.

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 (Nashville's Darryl Hammond returned an INT 49 yards for a touchdown this season, in Week 2, to tie McEntyre with nine). 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) 9
Mark Ricks (1996-2004) 7
Hunkie Cooper (1993-2005) 7

LOCKE IS THE KEY: Much like they did a year ago, the Avengers began this season without offensive specialist Tony Locke. This year, he began the campaign on injured reserve (hand), but has returned to the starting lineup in the past eight games and has caught 54 passes for 779 yards for 11 touchdowns. Last month, in the 75-61 victory at San Jose, Locke caught seven passes for a game-high 168 yards (ranking him at No. 9 on the Avenger all-time single game chart) and three touchdowns. 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 played in, L.A. averaged 263.4 passing yards 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 TD passes in a game.

SIX ARE ROOKIES: Six of the 20 players on L.A.'s current active roster are rookies. They are quarterback Sonny Cumbie, wide receiver/linebacker Antoine Burns, and linemen Jemelle Cage, Trevor Hutton, Victor Leyva and Jason Stewart. Of the 31 players that have seen action for Los Angeles this season, 10 are rookies. Last season, 17 of the 34 players who suited up for the Avengers experienced their first taste of AFL action in 2005 (including five players that are still with the club -- Richard Seals, Bernard Riley, Antuan Simmons, Michale Spicer and Rob Turner).

WHEELER CONTINUES TO ROLL: Avenger DS Damen Wheeler has come up with 13 INTs in his last 34 games, dating back to the tail end of the 2003 season.

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.

KICKING UP A STORM: Avenger kicker Remy Hamilton is having another standout season. Displaying stunning accuracy and consistency, he is 19-of-24 on his field goal attempts in 2006. Hamilton is a perfect 18-of-18 on three-pointers inside of 39 yards. He was a perfect 4-for-4 in the season opening victory over Arizona (20, 22, 29, 42) and duplicated the feat last month in the 60-57 win over Colorado (18, 24, 32, 33). Hamilton has also connected on 54 of his 60 extra point attempts this season. He currently leads all AFL kickers in scoring with 111 points (his closest competitor is 17 points behind). At this time last season, Hamilton was 24-of-29 on field goals. He went on to lead the AFL in field goals (29), field-goal percentage (.744) and kicking points (185) in 2005. Hamilton opened last year's campaign by hitting his first 11 three-pointers and dating back to the end of the 2004 season, he 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 "Ironman of the Game," becoming the first kicker in AFL history to earn that honor. Last season, he was 6-of-12 from beyond 40 yards (41, 41, 43, 43, 48, 50) and half of his 10 misses were from 47, 48, 50, 53 and 56 yards out.

ANOTHER 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 AFL 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 (32, Daron Alcorn, 1999, Portland). 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 125 field goals. Hamilton's current field goal percentage is .792 (19-of-24) and he is on pace to kick 30.4 three-pointers.

All-Time AFL Leaders -Scoring By Kickers
1. Steve Videtich (Utah) 1,321
2. Mike Black (1993-2004) 1,253
3. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles) 1,234

All-Time AFL Leaders -Field Goals Made in a Career
1. Mike Black (1993-2004) 178
2. Steve Videtich (Utah) 163
3. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles) 152

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

TOP BOSSES: Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss is ranked eighth on the AFL's all-time winning percentage chart (regular season only, minimum 60 games).

All-Time AFL Top Winning Percentages
Head Coaches Record Winning %
1. Perry Moss 75-28-1 .726
2. Tim Marcum * 155-62 .714
3. Darren Arbet * 77-37 .675
4. Danny White * 124-62 .667
5. Jay Gruden * 60-38 .612
6. Mike Dailey * 86-57 .601
7. Pat Sperduto * 39-28-1 .580
8. Ed Hodgkiss * 41-31 .570
9. John Gregory 67-51 .568
10. Todd Shell 53-45 .541
* Active coaches

THE DRIVE FOR FIVE: Head coach Ed Hodgkiss has led the Avengers to a winning season and playoff appearance in each of his four previous seasons at the helm. He is one of only three coaches in AFL history to post winning records in each of their first four seasons as an AFL head coach (Tampa Bay's Tim Marcum and Orlando's Jay Gruden are the other two).

Arena Football League Record Book -Most Winning Season to Begin an AFL Career
1. Tim Marcum (three teams, 1997-2001) 13
2. Jay Gruden (Orlando, 1998-present) * 6
3. Ed Hodgkiss (L.A., 2002-present) * 4
4. Three coaches tied 3
* Active streak

RARE SLIDE: Until L.A.'s five-game slide earlier this season, the Avengers had never lost more than two consecutive games in the "Ed Hodgkiss Era."

37.5 PERCENT TROJAN: Typically the starting defensive unit for the Avengers includes OL/DL Bernard Riley, FB/LB Lonnie Ford and DS Antuan Simmons. All three of those defenders played at the University of Southern California and were all members of the same Trojan teams from 1999 to 2001. (The Avenger roster also includes another USC Trojan, OS Kareem Kelly, who is currently in the injured reserve list.)

UNLIKELY TACKLERS: Among their other duties, Avenger kicker Remy Hamilton and backup QB Brian Mann have been busy making tackles on kickoff coverage this season. Hamilton, who leads the AFL in scoring by kickers with 111 points, also ranks at No. 12 in the league in special-teams tackles with 8.5. Mann, who started three of the first four games of the season at quarterback, has made 6.5 special-teams tackles in five games of action on the kickoff coverage unit (No. 34 in the AFL).



ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE STANDINGS:

AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Western Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Arizona 5 5 0 .500 451 476
Las Vegas 5 5 0 .500 512 519
San Jose 4 6 0 .400 532 549
Los Angeles 3 7 0 .300 489 575
Utah 3 7 0 .300 538 549

Central Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Colorado 7 3 0 .700 545 534
Nashville 6 4 0 .600 499 464
Chicago 4 6 0 .400 487 520
Grand Rapids 3 7 0 .300 458 524

NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Eastern Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Dallas 8 2 0 .800 582 463
New York 6 4 0 .600 536 548
Columbus 5 5 0 .500 447 420
Philadelphia 5 5 0 .500 461 459

Southern Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Austin 7 3 0 .700 511 453
Georgia 6 4 0 .600 563 463
Orlando 6 4 0 .600 508 486
Tampa Bay 6 4 0 .600 539 539
Kansas City 1 9 0 .100 397 514

SLOW STARTERS: Continuing a trend that began last season, the Avengers have been getting off to slow starts in 2006. Through 10 games this season, Los Angeles has scored just 78 points in the first quarter (average of 7.8), while opponents have countered with 131 points. The Avengers pick things up in the second quarter, scoring a total of 151 points (34 points in the victory at San Jose on March 12), but that still trails the opposition (180 points). Things are much tighter in the third and fourth quarters, where the Avengers are being outscored 127-125 and 137-135, respectively. In 16 regular-season games last season, the Avengers scored only 133 points in the first quarter (average of 8.3), while opponents countered with 171. The second quarter was when the Avengers shined brightest, scoring a total of 258 points (average of 16.1). L.A. also did well in the third quarter, racking up 252 (average of 15.8). But, things slowed down in the fourth quarter, when the Avengers were outscored, 275-212.

... WHEN THEY DO GET AHEAD: The Avengers have held the lead at halftime in only nine of their last 25 games and went on to win seven of those games.

... AND AFTER THREE QUARTERS: The Avengers are 42-12 all-time when leading or tied after three quarters.

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)

AFL WEEK 11 SCHEDULE (all times Pacific):

Friday, April 7
San Jose @ Tampa Bay - 4:30 p.m. (AFL Net, SIRIUS Ch. 110)
Arizona @ Utah - 6 p.m. (FSN Utah)

Saturday, April 8
Colorado @ Grand Rapids - 4:30 p.m. (FSN Rocky Mountain* 10:30 p.m., FSN Detroit* 7 p.m.)

Sunday, April 9
Dallas @ New York - 10 a.m. (NBC)
Chicago @ Philadelphia - 10 a.m. (NBC)
Los Angeles @ Kansas City - 10 a.m. (SIRIUS Ch. 110)
Nashville @ Las Vegas - noon (FSN South* 2 p.m., FSN Prime Ticket* 1 p.m.)
Orlando @ Columbus - noon (OLN* 7 p.m.)
Georgia @ Austin - 1 p.m. (AFL Net)

WEEKLY AFL SHOWS:

Monday, April 10
"AFL Weekly" on FSN West - 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 11
"This Week in the AFL" on SIRIUS Satellite Radio (Channel 110) - 5 p.m.
(replay at 10 p.m. on Wednesday night on Channel 123)

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.

NEW FAN-CENTRIC WEBSITE: Two days prior to their 2006 season opener, the Avengers 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, 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."

RECENT AVENGER TRANSACTIONS:
Date Action Player
4/4 Activated from refused to report WR/DB Brian Sump
4/4 Waived WR/DB Brian Sump
4/1 Activated off injured reserve OL/DL Jason StewartOL/DL Victor Leyva
4/1 Placed on injured reserve FB/LB-DE Michale SpicerWR/DB Lenzie Jackson
3/23 Activated off injured reserve DS Anthony Derricks
3/23 Placed on injured reserve OL/DL Maurice Anderson
3/18 Activated off injured reserve OL/DL Maurice Anderson
3/18 Placed on injured reserve OL/DL Victor Leyva
3/16 Activated off injured reserve OL/DL Charles Howard
3/16 Waived OL/DL Charles Howard
3/11 Activated off injured reserve FB/LB-DE Michale Spicer
3/11 Placed on injured reserve FB/LB Lavell Mann
3/4 Activated off injured reserve DS Antuan SimmonsWR/LB Antoine Burns
3/4 Placed on injured reserve QB Kevin ThompsonDS Ricky Sharpe
3/2 Signed QB Kevin Thompson
3/2 Placed on injured reserve OL/DL Maurice Anderson
3/1 Signed FB/LB Lavell MannOL/DL Maurice AndersonOL/DL Victor Leyva
2/28 Placed on injured reserve FB/LB Josh Jeffries
2/24 Activated from injured reserve OL/DL Silas DemaryOL/DL Rod Manuel
2/24 Placed on injured reserve FB/LB-DE Michale SpicerWR/LB Rob TurnerOL/DL Reggie Rhodes
2/21 Waived OL/DL Isaac Hilton
2/17 Activated from injured reserve DS-WR/DB Ricky SharpeOL/DL Richard SealsQB Sonny Cumbie
2/17 Placed on injured reserve DS Anthony DerricksOL/DL Jason Stewart
2/14 Waived QB Ryan Van Dyke
2/11 Activated from injured reserve OS Tony LockeOL/DL Jemelle Cage
2/11 Placed on injured reserve OL/DL Silas DemaryOS Kareem Kelly
2/4 Placed on injured reserve DS Antuan Simmons
2/4 Recalled from waivers OL/DL Isaac Hilton
2/3 Signed DS Antuan Simmons
2/3 Placed on recallable waivers OL/DL Isaac Hilton

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

BROADCAST INFORMATION:

Sunday, April 9, at Kansas City, 10 a.m.
Radio: AM 570
Saturday, April 15, at Utah, 6 p.m.
Radio: AM 570
Saturday, April 22, NEW YORK, 7:30 p.m.
TV: FSN West Radio: AM 570, 1220-KWKU
(television delayed until 9:30 p.m.)
Saturday, April 29, SAN JOSE, 7:30 p.m.
Radio: AM 570, 1220-KWKU
Saturday, May 6, NASHVILLE, 7:30 p.m.
Radio: AM 570, 1220-KWKU
Saturday, May 13, LAS VEGAS, 7:30 p.m.
Radio: AM 570, 1330-KWKW

LAST GAME:

AVENGERS FIND NO LUCK IN LAS VEGAS, 63-49

LAS VEGAS -- Jason Fife threw five touchdown passes, ran for two more scores and survived throwing two interceptions to lead the Las Vegas Gladiators past the Los Angeles Avengers, 63-49, before a crowd of 9,652 at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday evening.

The Gladiators improved to 5-5, while the Avengers fell to 3-7 on the season. Las Vegas is now tied with the Arizona Rattlers atop the Arena Football League's Western Division. The other two teams in the division, the San Jose SaberCats and Utah Blaze, are 4-6 and 3-7, respectively.

Fife completed 21 of his 26 passes and rushed six times for 31 yards.

Avenger quarterback Sonny Cumbie was 18-of-37 for 261 yards and six touchdowns (with no interceptions), but he was sacked four times and faced heavy pressure from Gladiator pass rushers throughout the game. Las Vegas OL/DL Steve Konopka was credited with 2.5 of the sacks, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and was selected as the "Defensive Player of the Game."

L.A.'s All-Arena WR/DB Kevin Ingram caught six passes for 55 yards and two touchdowns. He also intercepted one of Fife's passes and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown to cut Las Vegas' lead to 48-42 with 3:19 left in the third quarter. In addition, Ingram had 1.5 tackles and forced a fumble on his way to earning "Ironman of the Game" honors for the fourth time this season.

After Ingram's heroics, the Gladiators re-established their two-TD lead on Fife's second rushing score of the game and a subsequent two-point conversion pass, which pushed Las Vegas' advantage to 56-42 with 13:55 remaining.

But the Avengers refused to go away as Cumbie hit offensive specialist Tony Locke for a 44-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and-14 play to come within a touchdown once again. However, the Los Angeles defense suffered another lapse, allowing Joe Douglass to break wide open for a 25-yard touchdown reception that put the Gladiators, 63-49, with 9:30 remaining. That score marked the fourth time in the game that Las Vegas scored on a one-play "drive."

The Avengers had two more possessions to attempt to narrow the lead, but failed to score on both of them.

Los Angeles trailed the entire contest, but had a golden opportunity late in the second quarter to seize control.

With Las Vegas leading, 27-23, and once again driving downfield in the closing moments of the first half, Avenger defensive specialist Antuan Simmons intercepted an overthrown pass by Fife and returned it 12 yards to the Avenger 17-yard line. Los Angeles advanced the ball to the Las Vegas 20-yard line, but the Avengers came up empty after three incomplete passes by Cumbie and a missed field goal by Remy Hamilton from 40 yards out.

Then, the Gladiators took control of the game as Fife connected on a 29-yard touchdown pass to WR/DB Aleric Clark with three seconds remaining until the intermission. With that, Las Vegas took a 34-23 lead into the locker room at the break.

The Avengers got the third quarter off to a good start as Cumbie connected with WR/LB Greg Hopkins on a spectacular 45-yard touchdown pass on the second half's first play from scrimmage. On the play, Hopkins dove to make the catch, rolled into the end zone and in the process, surpassed 10,000 receiving yards in his 11-year AFL career. He is one of only five players in the history of the league to join the "10,000 Club."

On the ensuing point after attempt, an errant snap from center resulted in a wild chase that ended with Hamilton tossing an incomplete pass into the end zone. That missed opportunity left the score at 39-34 and the Avengers would never get any closer to the Gladiators.

The game got off to an ominous start as Clark returned the opening kickoff 57 yards for a Gladiator touchdown. Then, the Las Vegas defense held the Avengers to a 20-yard field goal by Hamilton on L.A.'s first possession of the game.

The Gladiators rushed for a total of 64 yards on 13 carries (average of 4.9 yards per carry) and faced only two third downs during course of the game, converting one of them. Los Angeles, on the other hand, was 0-for-5 on third down.

LOS ANGELES (3-7) 10 13 19 7 -- 49
LAS VEGAS (5-5) 13 21 14 15 -- 63

THIS SEASON THE AVENGERS ARE ...
- 2-2 at STAPLES Center
- 1-5 on the road
- 2-1 when they score more than 50 points
- 2-1 when they score 60 or more points
- 1-0 when they score 70 or more points
- 1-1 when they allow less than 50 points
- 1-0 when they allow less than 40 points
- 3-1 when they score first
- 2-2 when they commit fewer turnovers
- 0-5 when they commit more turnovers
- 2-5 whey they make at least one interception
- 1-3 when a player scores three or more touchdowns
- 1-3 when they throw for at least 5 touchdowns
- 3-7 when they pass for 200+ yards
- 1-1 when they pass for 300+ yards
- 1-3 when they don't throw an INT
- 2-6 when Kevin Ingram scores two or more TDs
- 3-5 when Kevin Ingram catches 6 or more passes
- 1-3 when Greg Hopkins catches six or more passes
- 3-1 when Remy Hamilton scores at least 12 points
- 1-4 when they commit fewer penalties
- 1-2 when they record at least one sack
- 1-1 when the game is decided by 7 or fewer points
- 1-1 when leading at halftime
- 2-6 when trailing 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
2 @ Philly WR/DB Kevin Ingram (L.A.)8 rec., 132 yds., 3 TDs, 7 tackles
3 @Grand Rapids WR/DB Timon Marshall (G.R.)4 catches, 2 TDs, 4.5 tackles
4 Chicago WR/DB Dennison Robinson (Chi.)4 catches, 5 tackles, 1 INT
5 Utah WR/LB Greg Hopkins (L.A.)7 catches, 4.5 tackles, 4 TDs
6 @ Orlando WR/LB Jerrian James (Orl.)115 all-purpose yds., 1 INT for TD
7 @ San Jose WR/DB Kevin Ingram (L.A.)7 rec. for 68 yds., 4 stops, 3 TDs
8 Colo. WR/LB Antoine Burns (L.A.)5 catches, 136 all-purp. Yds., 1 FR
9 @ Arizona WR/DB Randy Gatewood (Arizona)7 catches, 112 yards, 3.5 tackles
10 @ Las Vegas WR/DB Kevin Ingram (L.A.)6 catches, 2 TDs, INT ret. for TD
11 @ K.C.

"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
2 @ Philly OL/DL Earnest Allen (Philadelphia)1.5 stops, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
3 @Grand Rapids DS Johnnie Harris (G.R.)10 tackles, 1 interception
4 Chicago DS Jeremy Unertl (Chicago)5.5 tackles, 1 INT return for TD
5 Utah DS Ricky Sharpe (L.A.)7.5 tackles, 1 interception
6 @ Orlando OL/DL Henry Taylor (Orl.)Consistent pressure on QB
7 @ San Jose DS Antuan Simmons (L.A.)Game-high 10 tackles (9 solos)
8 Colo. DS Antuan Simmons (L.A.)4.5 stops, 37-yd. INT return for TD
9 @ Arizona DS Joseph Todd (Arizona)7 pass breakups, 6.5 tackles
10 @ Las Vegas OL/DL Steve Konopka (Las Vegas)2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
11 @ K.C.

"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
2 @ Philly QB Matt Sauk (Philadelphia)17-of-29, 147 yards, 3 TDs
3 @Grand Rapids QB Chad Salisbury (G.R.)16-of-27, 177 yards, 6 TDs
4 Chicago QB Matt D'Orazio (Chicago)20-of-26, 251 yards, 3 TDs
5 Utah QB Sonny Cumbie (L.A.)29-of-43, 266 yards 7 TDs
6 @ Orlando FB/LB Marlon Moye-Moore (Orl.)16 yards rushing, 1 catch, 2 TDs
7 @ San Jose WR/LB James Roe (San Jose)12 catches, 156 yards, 4 TDs
8 Colo. OS Damian Harrell (Colorado)9 catches, 169 yards, 4 TDs
9 @ Arizona QB Sherdrick Bonner (Arizona)16-of-29, 236 yards, 7 TDs
10 @ Las Vegas WR/LB Coco Blalock (Las Vegas)7 catches for 85 yards, 1 TD
11 @ K.C.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 5, 2006


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