Sonny Side up for Avengers
by Tim Peterson
March 13, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers
(San Jose) - Sonny Cumbie threw for six touchdowns to lead the Los Angeles Avengers to a 75-61 win over the San Jose Sabercats Sunday before 13,185 at HP Pavilion. The win snapped a five game losing steak for the Avengers. Cumbie, in only his third career start, had a day to remember. He finished 23 of 34 for 348 yards in addition to the six scoring strikes and no interceptions.
Cumbie had to be prefect to out duel Grieb. The Sabercat quarterback matched Cumbie pass for pass. He completed 28 of 41 for 395 yards and eight touchdowns. He also managed to avoid the turnover bug and was not picked.
The Avengers who had been struggling on offense, scored on every possession, including a 27 yard touchdown pass from Cumbie to Tony Locke with no time remaining.
The Cats cut the lead to 65-61 late in the fourth quarter but LA scored on its next two possessions to wrap it up. Remy Hamilton booted a 25 yard field goal for a 68-61 advantage. The Sabercats then drove down to the LA 10 yard line but Grieb missed on four straight passes. The Avengers got the ball back and Cumbie hit Locke as the clock struck zero.
Locke, who missed the first two games due to an injury, had a career night. He hauled in seven receptions for 168 yards and four scorers.
San Jose led 7-3 after one but LA kicked it into gear with a 34 point second quarter. Kevin Ingram scored three times in the period. Cumbie connected with Ingram on a 29 yard touchdown pass early in the quarter and later found him from four yards out. Ingram added a nine yard kick off return in between.
Grieb kept San Jose close with three touchdown passes in the second quarter. The Sabercats grabbed their last lead at 21-16 when Ben Nelson grabbed a 33 yard pass from Grieb with 4:50 left in the first half.
The Avengers responded with three scores to lead 37-28 at the half. LA still led 58-48 after three and scored twice more in the fourth to hold on.
For the Avengers, Ingram also had seven catches for 68 yards and Greg Hopkins caught six for 32.
The Avengers improved to 2-5 with the win and are now dead even heat with San Jose in the West. The Sabercats are also 2-5 after suffering the defeat.
SJ 7 21 20 13 61
LA 3 34 21 17 75
Passing: LA- Cumbie 23-34-348-6-0. SJ- Grieb 28-41-395-8-0.
Total Yards: LA- 356. SJ- 404
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