Avengers Win With Defense

PHOENIX — Contentedly armed with one of the most dynamic passing offenses in the Arena Football League, the Avengers spent the off-season searching for a pass rush.

They signed lineman Al Lucas and linebacker Josh Jeffries to provide a push in the middle. They acquired linemen Silas Demary, Arnold Miller and Jeremy Staat to apply pressure from the edges.

The Avengers’ off-season shopping spree paid immediate dividends Sunday in a 51-32 season-opening victory over the Arizona Rattlers in front of an announced crowd of 14,343 at America West Arena.

The Avengers chased and hit Arizona quarterback Sherdrick Bonner throughout the game and won their third consecutive season opener. Bonner, who had only seven passes intercepted last season, was sacked twice and threw a franchise-record four interceptions.

Lucas and Jeffries each recorded a sack. Miller, Carlos Fowler and Lonnie Ford also kept the heat on Bonner, an 11-year veteran from Cal State Northridge who had guided the Rattlers to two consecutive ArenaBowl appearances.

“We were bringing it,” said Lucas, a 6-foot-1, 300-pound nose tackle who played for ArenaBowl champion Tampa Bay last season. “We didn’t sack him as many times as we would have liked, but I think we hit him more times than he wanted to be hit.”

The Avengers converted interceptions by Kevin Ingram, Russell Shaw and Damen Wheeler into touchdowns in each of the first three quarters en route to a 42-24 lead. Cornelius Coe’s interception with 53 seconds left secured the victory. The four interceptions were a franchise record.

“They definitely did a good job up front, but we still had opportunities to make plays,” said Bonner, who completed 18 of 33 passes for 241 yards and four touchdowns. “I threw some balls I shouldn’t have.”

Though pleased with their defensive effort, Avenger linemen acknowledged that there was still plenty of room for improvement on offense.

Quarterback Tony Graziani completed 14 of 27 passes for 214 yards and six touchdowns without an interception, but he was sacked three times and was repeatedly forced to flee the pocket.

“I took some hits, but that’s OK,” Graziani said. “Some of our guys had first-game jitters.

“Once we settled down, we did better. It’s a good start, but we’re definitely not where we want to be.”

The Avengers built a 35-18 halftime lead on two Graziani touchdown passes to offensive specialist Chris Jackson and one each to receivers Ingram and Greg Hopkins and lineman Demary.

The Avengers increased the margin to 42-24 when Ingram scored on a two-yard reverse pass from Jackson near the end of the third quarter.

The Rattlers cut the deficit to 10 points on Bonner’s one-yard scoring run with 4:45 left in the game, which made the score 42-32.

But the Avengers answered with a 22-yard field goal by Remy Hamilton and a 21-yard touchdown reception by Shaw before Coe intercepted Bonner’s final pass in the end zone on fourth and 16 from the Arizona 24.

Avenger Coach Ed Hodgkiss said he was happy with the defense, concerned about a sprained knee ligament suffered by Staat, and confident that the offense would perform more efficiently in the weeks ahead. The Avengers travel to Las Vegas on Saturday and play their home opener Feb. 22 against San Jose.

“This was a good way to start because Arizona is a good team that you know is going to be there at the end,” Hodgkiss said. “There are some things we need to take care of, but we got what we came here for.”

New Orleans 42, Philadelphia 34 -- John Fitzgerald threw four touchdown passes to help the VooDoo at Philadelphia in the first game for both expansion franchises.

The VooDoo trailed at the half, but Fitzgerald threw two touchdown passes in the third quarter to make it 28-20, and New Orleans led the rest of the way.

Chicago 50, Grand Rapids 30 -- Quarterback Raymond Philyaw had three touchdowns rushing and two passing to lift the Rush at Rosemont, Ill.

The Rampage had only 92 yards passing and 107 total yards.

Carolina 67, Dallas 41 -- Matt Nagy threw for six touchdowns and ran for another for the Cobras at Charlotte, N.C. The Cobras ended an AFL record 17-game losing streak

Tampa Bay 52, Orlando 41 -- The Storm raised its fifth ArenaBowl championship banner and then rode five touchdown passes by Shane Stafford to victory at Tampa, Fla.

New York 54, Georgia 28 -- Aaron Garcia threw for five touchdowns and ran for another to lead the Dragons at Duluth, Ga.

The Dragons scored touchdowns on eight of their 10 possessions. Georgia turned the ball over twice on downs and had a field-goal try blocked.

Associated Press contributed to this report