Ward Takes Advantage of His Opportunity
Mike Chanpong
Tuesday May 22, 2007
In the sports world, one of the toughest things to do is sit on the bench and wait your turn to play.
It’s not easy, especially when you know that all you need is a chance.
Just one chance to get in the game and show everyone what you can do.
The Los Angeles Avengers’ LaShaun Ward knows the feeling.
Prior to last week’s game against the Georgia Force, the former University of California standout had played primarily on defense and had only touched the ball as a kick returner.
He hadn’t played much on offense though, his natural position.
Ward hadn’t recorded a single catch going into the game against Georgia. But with Kevin Ingram placed on injured reserve and Lenzie Jackson still out with a hand injury, Avengers Head Coach Ed Hodgkiss gave Ward the starting nod at receiver.
And given the chance, Ward stepped up in a major way. Not only did he catch nine passes for 141 yards and four touchdowns, but his performance enabled the Avengers to defeat one of the top teams in the AFL.
“I knew I had to step in. I had an opportunity because we had some guys down, to come in and do what I know how to do,” said Ward after his breakout performance. “Coach said he was going to give me a shot and I just tried to play as hard as I could and do what I could for the team to win.”
Ward dazzled the crowd in the first quarter, getting behind the defense to haul in a beautiful throw from quarterback Sonny Cumbie for a 43-yard touchdown. Ward’s first career touchdown was the Avengers’ longest play this season.
“We watched a lot of film and we knew that (Force defensive back) Hamin Milligan was pretty good,” Ward said of his preparation for the Georgia defense. “He's one of the best DBs in this league and me being new to this game I had to elevate my game to do what I could against him.”
After Ward’s second and third touchdowns, he tossed the ball into the crowd at people sporting Avenger jerseys with his #8 on them. “That's my family up there,” Ward said of his fan club in the stands. “I got my dad, my mom, my little brothers, my little sister, my cousins. I’m usually hurting for tickets, but I try to get as many people out as possible.”
Without a doubt, Ward enjoyed putting on a show for Avengers fans. Judging from his game against Georgia, and with Ingram out for at least three more weeks, it’s a good bet that he’ll be getting more opportunities in the very near future.
Even though he tasted success in his first start on offense, Ward acknowledged he still has things to work on. “My speed is my biggest asset,” he said. “But at the same time I can't let that be the biggest part of my game. I have to learn to be controlled and run the short routes and get in and out of breaks as a receiver. I still have a whole lot to learn about playing indoors.”
Judging from his first start at receiver, Ward is a pretty quick study.
