Avengers rally and defeat Brigade

The Avengers’ crazy season got even crazier Saturday.

The Avengers rallied in the fourth quarter against Kansas City, ended a four-game losing streak and remained alive in the playoff hunt with a 51-48 win at Staples Center.

In a game that was originally scheduled for today but was moved up a day because of the NBA Finals, the Avengers took the lead on a three-yard run by Timon Marshall with 34 seconds remaining.

The Brigade (3-12), with former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter making his second start, moved within field-goal range, but kicker Peter Martinez missed a 31-yard field-goal attempt on the final play. The Avengers, despite a 5-10 record, could be in position to clinch a spot in the Arena Football League playoffs with a win next Saturday in Tampa Bay, which makes this one of the weirdest seasons of Ed Hodgkiss’ seven years with the team.

“There’s lot of adjectives I can use [to describe this season],” Hodgkiss said. “It’s disappointing. It’s improbable. It’s crazy that we still have chance to get into the playoffs.”

Before Saturday, the Avengers had lost six of seven, the defense was next to last in points given up and a quarterback controversy was brewing. The first half gave Avengers fans little hope that any of that was going to change.

The Avengers entered halftime trailing, 31-20, after giving up a 23-yard touchdown pass with 10 seconds left.

Avengers quarterback Sonny Cumbie, who passed for 270 yards and four touchdowns, was inconsistent during the first 30 minutes.

The network that was televising the game started to show college highlights of rookie Sam Keller, the team’s backup, as the game was entering halftime. Cumbie said he wasn’t told about what was being shown on TV but played much in the second half.

The third-year veteran from Texas Tech completed 12 of 18 attempts and passed for 167 yards and two touchdowns in leading the rally. Marshall was Cumbie’s favorite receiver, with eight receptions for 96 yards and one receiving touchdown to go with his rushing touchdown.

Kevin Ingram had two touchdown receptions, and LaShaun Ward finished with 100 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Linebacker Brandon Perkins led a strong defensive effort by the team with two sacks and a safety at the start of the fourth quarter.

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jaime.cardenas@latimes.com