Avengers’ approach in training camp pays off

Before the Arena Football League season began, the Avengers held a lengthy training camp on the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians Reservation in Riverside County.

The camp turned out to be a blessing for Coach Ed Hodgkiss, who was able to get his team to bond, and for his players to set their sights on returning to the playoffs after missing the cut last year.

“Everything we’ve done this season got its start there,” said Hodgkiss of the Avengers (9-6), who will play their final regular-season game tonight against Utah (7-8) in Staples Center.

“We have a lot of good young talent. But the majority of the team is new, having come onboard the last two years. The camp gave us a chance to bond and grow together.”

The Avengers, played five of their first seven games on the road, have clinched a playoff berth, thanks to their current three-game winning streak and victories in four of their last five games.

But the Avengers still want to finish strong against the Blaze, which beat the Avengers, 76-63, in Utah on April 13.

“We’re playing with a lot of confidence right now,” Hodgkiss said. “We’re a much better team now than we were at the beginning of the year.”

The key to the Avengers’ late-season surge has been their defense, led by hard-charging linemen Silas Demary, Jason Stewart and Reggie Rhodes. They’ve been able to provide consistent pressure on quarterbacks while also stopping the run.

“I would say that this is the best defense that we’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Hodgkiss, who has led the Avengers into the postseason five of the six years he has been in charge. “Offensively, we don’t have the same All-Star-type players and we have to work the ball down the field. But now we have a defense that can make big stops. That’s important.”

The Avengers have forced opponents into 21 turnovers behind mainstay safety Damen Wheeler and midseason pickups Eddie Canonico and Terrence Joseph, who have provided stability at cornerback after injuries affected the secondary.

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AVENGERS TONIGHT

vs. Utah, 7:30, FSN Prime Ticket

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 570, 1330.

Records -- Avengers 9-6, Blaze 7-8.

Record vs. Blaze -- 0-1.

Update -- If the Avengers win, they will play host to Colorado in the first round July 2 at Staples Center. If Utah wins, the Blaze could clinch a playoff berth and could return to play the Avengers in the first round.

Tickets -- (888) 283-6437.

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lonnie.white@latimes.com