Avengers Dominate on Offense and Defense
Steven Herbert
Sunday June 23, 2002
Not only did the defense record six stops (not counting a one-play drive to end the first half) it even scored twice. Dale Koscielski scooped up Cobras quarterback Aaron Sparrow’s fumble and returned it five yards for a first-quarter touchdown. Greg Hopkins intercepted a Sparrow pass on the opening drive of the third quarter and returned it 37 yards for a score.
Only Tony Graziani’s interception on Los Angeles’ first series kept its offense from meeting Hodgkiss’ goal of scoring on each possession, discounting the final 50 seconds when it ran out the clock.
 Tony Graziani`s single interception kept his offense from boasting a perfect game. Image courtesy of Los Angeles Avengers |
Graziani completed 16 of 21 passes for 206 yards and four touchdowns, three to Chris Jackson. Jackson, who missed the Grand Rapids game because of a pulled right hamstring, got a fourth score when he caught an 11-yard pass from Matthew Sauk with two minutes, four seconds to play -- Sauk’s first Arena Football League touchdown pass.
Chad Dukes had a 23-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and a two-yard touchdown run in the fourth.
Line play both offensively and defensively was another key to the victory. Los Angeles did not allow a sack, while it sacked Sparrow three times.
“I was really happy with all of our front guys getting the pressure -- which hasn’t been the case the last few games,” Hodgkiss said.
The return of lineman John DeWitt, sidelined the previous two games because of a shoulder injury, was a key to the defensive line’s success, Hodgkiss said.
Little went right for Carolina (4-6), which lost its fourth consecutive game. The Cobras committed four turnovers, as Sparrow threw three interceptions in addition to losing a fumble when Vince Amey sacked him. Carolina kicker Brian Schmitz missed both his extra point attempts and the Cobras were unsuccessful on two of three two-point conversion tries.
“It was very disappointing,” Carolina coach Mike Neu said. “You can’t expect to overcome four turnovers. Right now, we’re not getting the production we need. As professional football players, you have to step up and make plays and be held accountable for you actions. Unfortunately, we’re in a pretty serious rut and we’ve got to be able to stop the bleeding somehow, someway.”
The victory was a milestone for the Avengers for several reasons. Their record improved to 6-4, giving the three-year old franchise a team record for victories, surpassing last year’s five with four games to play. The margin of victory was also a team record, topping the 74-53 victory over Georgia May 24.
More importantly, Los Angeles remains in fourth place in the overall league standings. The top four teams receive first-round playoff byes and home field advantage in the quarterfinals.
Next up for the Avengers is a Thursday game at Toronto, which has been on Hodgkiss’ mind for some time. He said he has had the players show him their passports or birth certificates for several weeks to avoid any problems associated with crossing the border.
However, the bigger challenge is that the game is being played on a Thursday, Hodgkiss said.
“The short week is what really gets you,” said Hodgkiss, who will have his team practice Monday instead of having the customary two days off after a game. “It’s not only short on the practice time, it’s short on the coaching staff and preparation. It forces you to go with a simpler game plan.”
Steven Herbert began covering Arena Football in 1988, the league’s second season. He has covered the sport for The Associated Press, Arizona Republic, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Providence Journal-Bulletin, Palm Beach Post, Daily Oklahoman and other publications. Herbert has also written on college and NFL football for The Washington Post and spent five years as a Los Angeles Times staff writer.
