Coach Hopes to Halt Trend of Losing in First Round

The Avengers might have backed into the Arena Football League playoffs, but they can make history when they travel to Phoenix to play the top-seeded Arizona Rattlers on Sunday.

The eighth-seeded Avengers are seeking their first postseason victory after losing playoff openers at home in each of the last two seasons.

In 2001, the Avengers lost to Tampa Bay, 66-41.

Last season, they lost to Arizona, 70-63.

The Avengers (9-7), losers of three of their last five games, are hoping that a change of venue will change their luck. They own the AFL’s best road record at 6-2, and defeated Arizona at America West Arena in the season opener.

The Rattlers (11-5), led by quarterback Sherdrick Bonner, finished the regular season with an eight-game winning streak.

“They were struggling a little bit early, but they’re a different team now,” Avenger Coach Ed Hodgkiss said. “They have a home-field advantage, but the other side of the coin is that we’ve had most of our success on the road.”

In other quarterfinals, second-seeded San Jose (11-5) plays host to seventh-seeded Tampa Bay (9-7) on Saturday.

Third-seeded Chicago (11-5) plays host to sixth-seeded Orlando (10-6); fourth-seeded New Orleans (11-5) plays host to fifth-seeded Colorado (11-5) on Sunday.

Winners are reseeded after the quarterfinals. If the Avengers defeat Arizona, they will play the highest-seeded team remaining on the road for a chance to advance to the ArenaBowl.

“We didn’t finish the regular season very well, but we’re in the playoffs so anyone can win it at this point,” Avenger quarterback Tony Graziani said after a 52-50 loss to Orlando last Sunday. “If we can start making plays when we need to, we have just as good a chance as anyone.”

The Avengers are 1-1 against Arizona this season.

In the Feb. 8 opener, the Avengers pressured Bonner constantly and forced five turnovers -- including four interceptions -- in a 51-32 victory.

Lineman Al Lucas, who played for defending ArenaBowl champion Tampa Bay in 2003, led the charge for the Avengers.

Lucas was less of a factor through the middle part of the season as opponents adjusted their schemes to control him.

But last week, Lucas stripped the ball from Orlando quarterback Joe Hamilton and recovered it for a touchdown.

“He’s a guy that knows when to crank it up,” Hodgkiss said.

Bonner passed for four touchdowns and rushed for the winning touchdown in Arizona’s 42-38 victory over the Avengers at Staples Center on May 1.

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Graziani and receiver/defensive back Kevin Ingram were selected to the All-Arena team.

Ingram also was chosen to the league’s all-ironman team and is a candidate for ironman of the year.

“I feel like this is a progression of my career,” said Ingram, in his fourth AFL season. “I’ve played pretty hard all season and it’s nice to be recognized for that.”

In the opener against the Rattlers at Phoenix, Ingram caught two touchdown passes, made 2 1/2 tackles and intercepted a pass.

He accounted for 23 touchdowns during the regular season and finished with 67 receptions, four interceptions and 956 yards in kickoff return yardage.

“He’s stayed healthy, that’s probably the biggest thing,” Hodgkiss said. “For us, he’s always been an underrated player. He’s finally getting his just due.”

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Lineman Arnold Miller was selected to the AFL’s all-rookie team.... Kicker Remy Hamilton was selected second-team All-Arena.