Avengers Rally for Victory

Kevin Ingram scored two second-half touchdowns, including one on a last-minute interception return, to help the Avengers to a 58-44 victory over Toronto on Thursday night in front of 7,024 at Air Canada Centre.

The Avengers erased a 10-point third-quarter deficit to improve to 7-4, which is the third-best record in the Arena Football League. The top four teams get a bye in the playoffs.

“Things worked out well for us in the second half after we made some adjustments,” Avenger receiver Greg Hopkins told KMPC 1540.

“We stopped making mistakes and played well as a team.”

After former USC and Santa Monica High quarterback Pat O’Hara completed a touchdown pass to Terry Brown to give Toronto a 34-24 lead in the third quarter, Los Angeles rallied behind a touchdown catch by Hopkins and a fumble recovery for a score by Chris Butterfield, giving L.A. a 37-34 lead.

After the Phantoms tied the score, 37-37, the Avengers took the lead for good when Tony Graziani passed to Ingram for a touchdown.

Toronto (5-6) misplayed the ensuing kickoff and Hopkins recovered the ball in the end zone, giving the Avengers a 51-37 lead.

O’Hara rallied the Phantoms within 51-44 and had them in position to tie the score at 51-51 before Ingram’s interception and 50-yard return for the touchdown with 55 seconds remaining.

“There were a few key plays but [Ingram’s] interception sealed the win,” said Los Angeles Coach Ed Hodgkiss, whose team has won three games in a row and clinched the franchise’s first .500 season.

The Avengers play two of their final three regular-season games at home. They play host to Arizona on July 6, play at Indiana on July 14 and end the season at home against Buffalo.