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Los Angeles Avengers game notes

April 18, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Game: New York Dragons at Los Angeles Avengers
Date: Saturday, April 22, 2006
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (Pacific)
Site: STAPLES Center (17,942)
Television: FSN West (Bill Macdonald, John Jackson, Lindsay Soto -- delayed until 9:30 p.m.)
Radio: AM 570 (Isaac Lowenkron, Troy West -- pregame show at 7 p.m.)
Spanish Radio: KWKU 1220-AM (Edu Villmar, Mario Amaya)
Internet Radio: www.xtrasportsradio.com
Line: TBA
Series Record: Los Angeles leads 4-0
Last Meeting: Los Angeles 66, New York 35 - April 10, 2005, STAPLES Center
Officials: Dennis Lipski (R), Rick Nelson (U), Kavin McGrath (HL), Darrel Leftwich (LJ), Rich Wilborn (BJ)
Head Coaches:
Los Angeles -- Ed Hodgkiss (fifth season, 41-33)
New York -- Weylan Harding (second season, 17-11)

THE AVENGERS: Los Angeles opens a four-game homestand when it hosts the New York Dragons at STAPLES Center on Saturday, April 22. The Avengers are happy to be home after losing their last four games, which were all on the road. L.A. has not played at STAPLES Center since beating the defending ArenaBowl champion Colorado Crush, 60-57, on March 19. Furthermore, prior to that game, the Avengers played two road games, meaning that Saturday's contest will only be L.A.'s second at home since February. Last Sunday, the Avengers scored on 10 of their 11 possessions and played turnover-free football, but lost a 63-61 decision at Utah. Despite its 3-9 record, Los Angeles is still in the hunt for its fifth consecutive trip to the AFL Playoffs. Veteran WR/DB Kevin Ingram, the 2005 AFL "Ironman of the Year," is a leading candidate to repeat. He leads the team in receptions (85), receiving yards (1,007), touchdowns (26) and interceptions (five). The Avenger offense has received a significant boost from rookie quarterback Sonny Cumbie, who has started L.A.'s previous eight games and has already thrown 43 TD passes (and only three INTs). On the season, Cumbie is 191-of-324 (59.0 percent) for 2,267 yards, and his passer rating of 109.7 ranks him at No. 8 in the AFL (minimum 300 attempts). QB Brian Mann, 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 11 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 10 games, catching 66 passes for 974 yards and 14 scores. Remy Hamilton, who set several league records last season, has remained in a groove, hitting 22 of his 28 field goal attempts (78.6 percent) this year. Last year, the Avengers won the Western Division title and 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 (10,093). Hopkins also is currently running for office in Pennsylvania (State Representative - 50th District).

STORYLINES:
WR/DB Kevin Ingram on pace to repeat as "Ironman"
... see Ingram notes on Page 2
QB Sonny Cumbie having "Rookie of the Year" season
... see Cumbie notes on Page 3
Right foot of Remy Hamilton still red hot
... see Hamilton notes on Page 5

LOS ANGELES AVENGERS
2006 SCHEDULE (3-9)
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
April 9 @ Kansas City Loss 62-45
April 15 @ Utah Loss 63-61
Rest of season
Opponent Time
(PT)
Television
April 22 New York 7:30 FSN West
Delay 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.

THE SERIES: The Avengers have won all four previous meetings with New York. Los Angeles also hosted the Dragons last season and defeated New York, 66-35. That contest on April 10, 2005, will be forever remembered as the game in which Avenger lineman Al Lucas suffered a spinal cord injury that eventually took his life.

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
Avengers 66, New York 35 4-10-05 STAPLES

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.

SECRET IS SCORING 60: Dating back to 2004, the Avengers are 11-3 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 in both games 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 seven of its nine losses this year.

INCUMBANT IRONMAN: Avenger WR/DB Kevin Ingram, the 2005 AFL "Ironman of the Year" and a two-time All-Arena selection, is having another stellar campaign and is a strong candidate to repeat. Last season, he led Los Angeles with 88 receptions for 1,052 yards and 23 touchdowns. Defensively, Ingram came up with a team-high six interceptions (and also made 68 tackles). In addition, he led the team in kickoff returns and averaged 104.1 all-purpose yards per game. This season, Ingram is on pace to surpass all of those statistics. He currently has 85 receptions for 1,007 yards and 26 touchdowns, five interceptions and is averaging 117.7 all-purpose yards per game. At this pace, Ingram will finish the 2006 season with 113 receptions for 1,343 yards and 35 TDs, along with seven INTs.

Kevin Ingram -
Ironman Comparison
2006 85 catches for 1,007 yards and 23 TDs
Five INTs, averaging 117.7 all-purpose yards
AFTER JUST 12 GAMES
2005 88 catches for 1,052 yards and 26 TDs
Six INTs, averaged 104.1 all-purpose yards
IN 16 GAMES
- AFL "Ironman of the Year"
- First Team All-Arena selection
2004 67 catches for 848 yards and 22 TDs
Four INTs, averaged 116.9 all-purpose yards
IN 16 GAMES
- First Team All-Arena selection

MR. 10,000: On April 2, in a 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. And earlier this month in Kansas City, he caught eight passes for 50 yards and one touchdown to move into the No. 4 spot on the AFL's all-time receiving yards chart. Hopkins needs 155 more yards to move past Gary Compton and into the No. 3 position.

All-Time AFL Leaders -
Receiving Yards
1. Barry Wagner (San Jose) 13,211
2. Eddie Brown (1994-2003) 12,730
3. Gary Compton (1992-2004) 10,247
4. Greg Hopkins (Los Angeles) 10,093
5. Cory Fleming (Nashville) 10,074
6. George LaFrance (1988-2000) 9,004
7. Calvin Schexnayder (San Jose) 8,812
8. Hunkie Cooper (1993-2005) 8,600

TURNOVER MARGIN TAKES A TURN: The Avengers are currently -1 in turnover margin (tied for 11th in the AFL). 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. The Avengers turned over the ball only 20 times (fewest in the AFL). 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 16 takeaways (11 INTs and five fumble recoveries). Last season at this time, Los Angeles had 30 takeaways (18 INTs and 12 fumble recoveries), owned a turnover margin of +17 and was 7-5.

NEW ARENA QB RATING: The debate has gone on for years in the AFL -- "Does the statistical passer rating formula used for the outdoor/stadium-played game really translate to AFL quarterbacks?" Since scoring touchdowns, not turning the ball over and completion percentage dictates whether you win or lose in the AFL, stats guru Tom Goodhines decided to come up with a new formula that puts more weight on "TD-INT ratio" and completion percentage, with no emphasis on yardage.

ARENA QB RATING FORMULA: Multiply "TD percentage" (TD passes divided by TD passes + INT) by two and add the completion percentage and divide it all by three.

Avenger rookie quarterback Sonny Cumbie ranks at No. 4, mainly due to the strength of his "TD-INT ratio" of 43-3 (93.5 percent). Cumbie has thrown the fewest interceptions in the league and has the top interception ratio of 0.9 percent (three INTs in 324 attempts).

Arena Football Quarterback Rating

Rating Comp.Pct.
TD
INT
1. C. Dolezel (Dallas) 83.8 65.6 79 6
2. M. Nagy (Georgia) 83.7 71.4 62 7
3. M. D'Orazio (Chi.) 82.5 68.7 42 5
4. S. Cumbie (L.A.) * 82.0 59.0 43 3
5. M. Grieb (San Jose) 80.0 65.3 62 9
6. S. Stafford (T.B.) 78.7 63.8 68 11
7. J. Dutton (Colo.) 78.5 62.4 71 11
Minimum of 250 attempts
* AFL rookie

THIS ANTOINE REALLY BURNS: Although he has been the Avengers' primary kickoff returner for just the past six 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). Three 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 two players in the AFL have more kickoff returns for touchdowns this season than Burns, who has a total of 725 yards on 39 returns (average of 18.6).

Avenger Record Book -
Kickoff Return Yards in a Single Game
1. Anthony Rice (vs. San Jose, 2000) 181
2. Kevin Ingram (vs. Chicago, 2006) 168
3. Antoine Burns (at Arizona, 2006) * 162
4. Chad Dukes (vs. Arizona, 2002) 160
5. Henry Douglas (vs. Austin, 2004) * 149
6. Antoine Burns (at Utah, 2006) * 145
7. Antoine Burns (at K.C., 2006) * 141
8. Mark Ricks (at Nashville, 2001) 138
9. Kevin Ingram (at San Jose, 2004) 128
10. Anthony Rice (vs. Milwaukee, 2000) 127
* AFL rookie season

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 eight games and is 191-of-324 (59.0 percent) for 2,267 yards and 43 touchdowns, with only three interceptions (fewest among all AFL QBs). His current passer rating of 109.7 ranks him at No. 8 in the AFL (minimum 300 attempts), putting him ahead of veterans such as Arizona's Sherdrick Bonner (106.7), Philadelphia's Tony Graziani (99.8), Columbus' John Kaleo (97.8) and Utah's Andy Kelly (86.4), and all rookies. Furthermore, Cumbie's interception percentage of 0.9 is the best in the league. 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 -
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
6. Tony Graziani (vs. San Jose, 2003) 345
7. Sonny Cumbie (at Utah, 2006) * 337
8. Tony Graziani (vs. Austin, 2004) 332
9. S. Semptimphelter (vs. Carolina, 2000) 331
10t. Tony Graziani (at Arizona, 2002) 329
10t. Tony Graziani (vs. Arizona, 2003) 329
* AFL rookie season

INTERCEPTION FREE: Avenger quarterback Sonny Cumbie has not thrown an interception in his last 194 attempts. The last time he was picked off was on his first attempt against Colorado on March 19 (a 60-57 Avenger win over the defending ArenaBowl champions). Since that last INT, Cumbie has tossed 26 touchdown passes. He has not been intercepted in six of the eight games he has started this season, including the last four, which were all on the road. Tony Graziani set the Avenger record for attempts without an interception at 210 in 2004 (he also had a string of 185 passes without a pick in 2003). Raymond Philyaw set the all-time AFL record of 247 in 2003 while with the Indiana Firebirds.

Avenger Record Book -
Pass Attempts without an Interception
1. Tony Graziani, 2004 (span of 7 games) 210
2. Sonny Cumbie, 2006 (span of 5 games) * 194
3. Tony Graziani, 2003 (span of 7 games) 185
* AFL rookie season

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 -
Interception 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

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-nine of L.A.'s 189 offensive touchdowns dating back to last season have been of the quick-strike variety. In fact, 24 of them were on one-play "drives." Over the course of the last three seasons, 227-of-430 Avenger TDs were of the quick-strike variety (67 on a single play).

Avenger Touchdown Drives (2003-06)
Total TD
Drives Quick Strikes (percent) 1 Play Score
2003 124 81 (65 %) 25
2004 117 57 (49 %) 18
2005 112 55 (49 %) 13
2006 77 34 (44 %) 11
Total 430 227 (53 %) 67

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 133 points, also ranks at No. 10 in the league in special-teams tackles with 10.5. Mann, who started three of the first four games of the season at quarterback, has made 11 special-teams tackles in seven games of action on the kickoff coverage unit (No. 8 in the AFL).

37.5 PERCENT TROJAN: Before DS Antuan Simmons was placed on the injured reserve list on April 14, L.A.'s starting defensive unit often included OL/DL Bernard Riley and FB/LB Lonnie Ford, alongside 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.)

A LOT CAN HAPPEN IN SIX SECONDS: In the final six seconds of the first half of last week's game at Utah, Avenger WR/DB Kevin Ingram displayed what it really means to be an "Ironman." With the Blaze already leading, 35-27, and driving deep into Avenger territory once again, Ingram intercepted an Andy Kelly pass with six seconds remaining until halftime. On L.A.'s ensuing possession, Ingram caught a seven-yard pass from Sonny Cumbie and quickly got out of bounds, giving the Avengers a second-and-three play from their own 11-yard line with 1.7 seconds left. Then, Cumbie threw a "Hail Mary" pass off the net and into Ingram's arms for a touchdown as time expired in the first half. His work not yet done, Ingram then successfully fielded a bad snap and expertly got the football set for Remy Hamilton's extra point kick, which brought the Avengers to within a point at the break ... when just moments before, it seemed as if they were about to go down by two touchdowns.

THIS LOCKE IS ALSO A 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 to catch 66 passes for 974 yards for 14 touchdowns in the past 10 games. 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.

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, but he recorded 12.5 of his sacks in the last seven regular-season games. 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

TOP BOSSES: Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss is ranked ninth on the AFL's all-time winning percentage chart (regular season only, minimum 65 games).

All-Time AFL Top Winning Percentages
Head Coaches Record Winning %
1. Perry Moss 75-28-1 .726
2. Tim Marcum * 155-64 .708
3. Darren Arbet * 79-37 .681
4. Danny White * 125-63 .665
5. Jay Gruden * 62-38 .620
6. Mike Dailey * 88-57 .607
7. Pat Sperduto * 40-29-1 .579
8. John Gregory 67-51 .568
9. Ed Hodgkiss * 41-33 .554
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 SLIDES: Until L.A.'s five-game losing streak earlier this season, the Avengers had never lost more than two consecutive games in the "Ed Hodgkiss Era." And now the Avengers are currently on a four-game skid.

SLOW STARTERS: Continuing a trend that began last season, the Avengers have been getting off to slow starts in 2006. Through 12 games this season, Los Angeles has scored just 91 points in the first quarter (average of 7.6), while opponents have countered with 165 points. The Avengers pick things up in the second quarter, scoring a total of 200 points (34 points in the victory at San Jose on March 12), but that still trails the opposition (215 points). Things are much tighter in the third and fourth quarters, where the Avengers are being outscored 148-146 and 172-158, 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 27 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.

KICKING UP A STORM: Avenger kicker Remy Hamilton is having another standout season. Displaying stunning accuracy and consistency, he is 22-of-28 (.786) on his field goal attempts in 2006. Hamilton is a perfect 21-of-21 on three-pointers inside of 38 yards. He was a perfect 4-for-4 in the season opening victory over Arizona and duplicated the feat last month in the 60-57 win over Colorado. Hamilton has also connected on 67 of his 73 extra point attempts this season. He currently leads all AFL kickers in scoring with 133 points (his closest competitor is 26 points behind). At this time last season, Hamilton was 27-of-33 (.818) 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, Remy Hamilton set a new AFL record for field goal percentage in a single season. In 2004, Jay Taylor of Orlando 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 AFL history 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). Last week at Utah, Hamilton scored a total of 13 points to move past Mike Black into the No. 2 spot on the AFL's all-time scoring by kickers chart. He is also one of only three players in league history to boot over 125 field goals. Hamilton's current field goal percentage is .786 (22-of-28) and he is on pace to kick 29.3 three-pointers.

All-Time AFL Leaders -
Scoring By Kickers
1. Steve Videtich (Utah) 1,338
2. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles) 1,256
3. Mike Black (1993-2004) 1,253

All-Time AFL Leaders -
Field Goals Made in a Career
1. Mike Black (1993-2004) 178
2. Steve Videtich (Utah) 164
3. Remy Hamilton (Los Angeles) 155

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



ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE STANDINGS:

AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Western Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Arizona 7 5 0 .583 576 570
San Jose 6 6 0 .500 653 651
Las Vegas 5 7 0 .417 615 646
Utah 4 8 0 .333 653 674
Los Angeles 3 9 0 .250 595 700

Central Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
p - Colorado 9 3 0 .750 673 631
Nashville 7 5 0 .583 590 557
Chicago 4 8 0 .333 584 637
Grand Rapids 3 9 0 .250 531 652

NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Eastern Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
p - Dallas 10 2 0 .833 683 516
New York 7 5 0 .583 628 651
Philadelphia 7 5 0 .583 566 547
Columbus 5 7 0 .417 540 523

Southern Division
W L T Pct. Pts. OP
Orlando 8 4 0 .667 604 563
Austin 8 4 0 .667 600 573
Georgia 7 5 0 .583 665 549
Tampa Bay 6 6 0 .500 641 651
Kansas City 2 10 0 .167 508 614

p - clinched playoff berth

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.

37.5 PERCENT TROJAN: Before DS Antuan Simmons was placed on the injured reserve list on April 14, L.A.'s starting defensive unit often included OL/DL Bernard Riley and FB/LB Lonnie Ford, alongside 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.)

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 Overtime
Category
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

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 WEEK 13 SCHEDULE (all times Pacific):

Friday, April 21
Columbus @ Philadelphia - 4 p.m. (SIRIUS Channel 110)
Kansas City @ Nashville - 5 p.m. (AFL Net)
Utah @ Colorado - 6 p.m. (FSN Rocky Mountain* 9 p.m.)

Saturday, April 22
Tampa Bay @ Orlando - 4:30 p.m.
Dallas @ Georgia - 1 p.m. (OLN, SIRIUS Channel 110)
Austin @ San Jose - 7:30 p.m.
New York @ Los Angeles - 7:30 p.m. (FSN New York, FSN West* 9:30 p.m.)

Sunday, April 23
Arizona @ Grand Rapids - 11 a.m. (INHD)

WEEKLY AFL SHOWS:

Monday, April 24
"AFL Weekly" on FSN West - 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 25
"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
4/14 Activated from injured reserve WR/DB Lenzie Jackson
FB/LB-DE Michale Spicer
4/14 Placed on injured reserve DS Antuan Simmons
OL/DL Victor Leyva
4/8 Activated from injured reserve OL/DL Reggie Rhodes
FB/LB Lavell Mann
4/8 Placed on injured reserve FB/LB Jemelle Cage
OL/DL Richard Seals
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 Stewart
OL/DL Victor Leyva
4/1 Placed on injured reserve FB/LB-DE Michale Spicer
WR/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 Simmons
WR/LB Antoine Burns
3/4 Placed on injured reserve QB Kevin Thompson
DS Ricky Sharpe
3/2 Signed QB Kevin Thompson
3/2 Placed on injured reserve OL/DL Maurice Anderson
3/1 Signed FB/LB Lavell Mann
OL/DL Maurice Anderson
OL/DL Victor Leyva
2/28 Placed on injured reserve FB/LB Josh Jeffries
2/24 Activated from injured reserve OL/DL Silas Demary
OL/DL Rod Manuel
2/24 Placed on injured reserve FB/LB-DE Michale Spicer
WR/LB Rob Turner
OL/DL Reggie Rhodes

SIX ARE ROOKIES: Six of the 20 players on L.A.'s current active roster are rookies. They are quarterback Sonny Cumbie, WR/LB Antoine Burns, FB/LB Lavell Mann, and linemen Reggie Rhodes, Trevor Hutton 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).

LAST GAME:

UTAH BLAZE BURN
AVENGERS, 63-49

By Jack Walden
Special to laavengers.com

SALT LAKE CITY -- Despite seven touchdown passes by quarterback Sonny Cumbie and an incredible "Ironman" performance by wide receiver/defensive back Kevin Ingram, the Avengers lost to the Utah Blaze, 63-61, before 15,642 at Delta Center.
Utah, playing its first season in the Arena Football League, improved to 4-8, while Los Angeles fell to 3-9.
After four consecutive games on the road, the Avengers will play the final four games of the regular season at STAPLES Center.
Down 63-55 with less than two minutes remaining, Cumbie hit Ingram for a four-yard touchdown pass and then the Avengers elected to go for the two-point conversion to tie the game. On the play, Ingram appeared to be open in the left corner of the end zone, but Utah WR/LB Justin Skaggs leaped high to get a hand on Cumbie's pass, deflecting it incomplete.
On the ensuing kickoff, Los Angeles tried to recover a "dribble" onside attempt, but was unsuccessful. Utah retained possession at the Avenger 10-yard line and killed off the remaining time on the clock.
Cumbie was 26-of-42 for 337 yards and seven touchdowns, and didn't throw an interception for the fourth consecutive game. Cumbie has now thrown 43 touchdowns passes this season, against only three interceptions (fewest in the AFL).
Cumbie's counterpart, AFL veteran Andy Kelly, who was making his first start for the Blaze after being signed earlier in the week, was 21-of-33 for 285 yards and eight touchdowns. However, Kelly did toss one interception to Ingram, who also caught nine passes for 113 yards and three scores.
Avenger offensive specialist Tony Locke also had a big night, catching nine passes for 142 yards and two scores.
Avenger All-Arena kicker Remy Hamilton was 21-of-21 on field goals inside 39 yards, when he lined up for a 38-yarder with 12:32 left in the third quarter, but his attempt was wide right and caromed off the upright. The football, however, remained loose on the ground until Avenger FB/LB Lonnie Ford made the recovery at the Utah three-yard line. Two plays later, Ford crashed into the end zone from a yard out to give the Avengers their first lead of the night, 41-35.
The Blaze responded with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Kelly to former Avenger Siaha Burley, but the Avengers answered right back with a seven-yard scoring toss to Locke. Hamilton's extra point with 3:57 left in the third quarter put Los Angeles back in front, 48-42.
But Utah needed only one play to regain the lead as Kelly hit a wide open Burley on a 23-yarder. Then, it was Cumbie's turn and he found Ingram from 13 yards out to give the Avengers a 55-49 lead with 13:39 remaining.
Kelly combined with Bryant for a 25-yard scoring toss on Utah's next possession and then, on the ensuing kickoff, the Blaze successfully recovered veteran kicker Steve Videtich's onside attempt. Utah cashed in that extra opportunity when Kelly found Burley for yet another touchdown, which boosted the Blaze advantage to 63-55 with 6:12 left.
Both teams scored on each of their first four possessions, but Los Angeles had to settle for a pair of short field goals on its first two offensive series. The Blaze, on the other hand, ended each of their first four possessions with touchdowns passes by Kelly and then got a 54-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from Kevin Moffett to put Utah up, 35-20, with 3:58 left in the first half.
Cumbie responded with a 15-yard touchdown pass to WR/DB Lenzie Jackson right before the one-minute warning to trim the Blaze lead to 35-27.
Utah's ensuing possession reached the Los Angeles 16-yard line, but Ingram intercepted Kelly's pass with 5.5 seconds left in the second quarter. The Avengers made good use of the time remaining, with Cumbie completing a seven-yard pass to Ingram before connecting with him on a Hail Mary pass off the net as time expired, leaving the Blaze shocked and up only 35-34 at the intermission.

LOS ANGELES (3-9) 6 28 14 13 -- 61
UTAH (4-8) 14 21 14 14 -- 63

THIS SEASON THE AVENGERS ARE ...
- 2-2 at STAPLES Center
- 1-7 on the road
- 2-2 when they score more than 50 points
- 2-2 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
- 2-3 when they commit fewer turnovers
- 0-5 when they commit more turnovers
- 2-7 whey they make at least one interception
- 1-5 when a player scores three or more touchdowns
- 1-5 when they throw for at least 5 touchdowns
- 3-9 when they pass for 200+ yards
- 1-2 when they pass for 300+ yards
- 1-5 when they don't throw an INT
- 2-8 when Kevin Ingram scores two or more TDs
- 3-7 when Kevin Ingram catches 6 or more passes
- 1-4 when Greg Hopkins catches six or more passes
- 3-2 when Remy Hamilton scores at least 12 points
- 1-5 when they commit fewer penalties
- 1-2 when they record at least one sack
- 1-2 when the game is decided by 7 or fewer points
- 1-1 when leading at halftime
- 2-8 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. WR/LB James Jordan (Kansas City)
2 catches, 46 yards, 3.5 tackles
12 @ Utah DS Kevin Moffett (Utah)
54-yd. KO return for TD, 8 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 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. DS Calvin Spears (Kansas City)
4 pass breakups, 4.5 tackles
12 @ Utah DS Kelvin Hunter (Utah)
3 pass breakups, 6.5 tackles

"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. WR/LB Aaron Boone (Kansas City)
13 catches, 157 yards, 5 TDs
12 @ Utah QB Andy Kelly (Utah)
21-of-33, 285 yards, 8 TDs

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