Avengers Get Back on Track

There may never be a good time for a 3,000-mile flight, especially for a team in a slump. It came at a perfect time for the Avengers, however, as their trip to New York allowed them to face a defense worse than their own.

Running back Kevin Clemens plunged into the end zone from the one-yard line with no time left Sunday, giving the Avengers a 65-61 victory over the New York Dragons before 11,216 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Avengers ended a two-game losing streak and are still atop the American Western Division with a 4-2 record.

“There’s a huge difference between being 3-3 and 4-2,” said Avenger quarterback Tony Graziani, who completed 23 of 33 passes for 355 yards and eight touchdowns. “This sets us up for the rest of the season. We got our offense back on track.”

That was in large part because of the Dragons (0-6), owners of the Arena Football League’s most hapless defense, which gives up 61.8 points a game. The Avengers give up 54.6.

Clemens’ touchdown came after New York -- which has lost four games by four points or fewer -- took a 61-58 lead with 45 seconds remaining, the fifth lead change of the fourth quarter. Avenger Coach Ed Hodgkiss knew his offense, which accumulated 491 yards of total offense, had plenty of time.

Perhaps too much time, as his concern, and Graziani’s, was scoring too quickly.

“I told my guys if they break away to fall down at the one-yard line,” Hodgkiss said.

“The way this game was going, you had to think that way.”

So Hodgkiss had Graziani milk the clock after the Avengers took over at their 20 with 36 seconds left. The game-winning drive took eight plays, the longest pass play being seven yards. Graziani said receiver Greg Hopkins was wide open on the drive’s first play, but he dumped the ball off instead to Chris Jackson for a short gain. Jackson was the day’s leading receiver with 11 catches for 172 yards and four touchdowns.

“It’s arena football,” Graziani said. “It’s tough to stop people. I didn’t want to score right away.”

After Clemens was stuffed on a second down from the one, Hodgkiss called time out with three seconds left. A field goal would have sent the game into overtime but Hodgkiss dismissed that thought.

“If we were further out I would have gone for the field goal but down at the one, I have confidence our line could get him in,” Hodgkiss said.

Clemens nearly did not get in, initially stopped, but a second effort carried him across the goal line.

“As a running back, after contact its important to keep the legs moving forward,” Clemens said. “You want your number called in that situation and we got it done.”