Avengers Make It Three in a Row, 48-45

Brian Reaves’ 22-yard field goal with no time remaining was the difference in the Avengers’ 48-45 victory over the Houston ThunderBears on Saturday at Selland Stadium in Fresno.

Before the winning kick, Reaves had missed a 27-yard attempt. But Houston linebacker Rick Boyer was flagged for illegal defense, and the five-yard penalty gave Reaves a second chance.

The victory gave the second-year Arena Football League team its first three-game winning streak. And the Avengers had to overcome an 18-point second-half deficit to get it.

“If that’s the way we have to win ‘em, I’ll take it,” Avenger Coach Robert Lyles said. “But the three-game winning streak is great. More important, we have won them all against division foes, which has playoff implications. My team has come from behind since I took over and I know they can do that.”

Saturday’s victory moved the Avengers (3-5) into third place in the Western Division, their highest placing in the division standings. They return home Saturday to play the expansion Detroit Fury.

Houston lost its fourth in a row and fell to 2-7.

“We cannot let down next week against Detroit,” Lyles said. “Every game is a hard game whether its a first-year or seven-year team. If we take care of our responsibilities, no matter who we play we can win.”

Trailing 35-17 early in the third quarter, the Avengers scored 21 consecutive points, taking the lead on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Erik Wilhelm to J.J. Washington.

It was 45-45 in the final minute when Darius Hadley intercepted a pass by rookie Houston quarterback John Fitzgerald and returned it 40 yards to the ThunderBear 12, setting up Reaves’ winning kick.