Jackson Enjoys This Kind of Coverage

As the Arena Football League’s reigning offensive player of the year, Chris Jackson anticipated unusual schemes to stop him this season.

But man-to-man coverage was not one of them.

The expansion Austin Wranglers tried to play Jackson straight up last weekend and the veteran offensive specialist burned them for 11 receptions and a franchise-record seven touchdowns in an 81-70 victory at Staples Center.

“That’s a defense any receiver, let alone an [offensive specialist] waits for,” said Jackson, who also tied the league record for touchdown receptions in a game. “I knew it had the potential to be a big game.”

Jackson has caught 53 passes for 744 yards and 20 touchdowns, despite having missed most of one game and all of another because of an early-season knee injury. He also has passed and rushed for touchdowns.

“He’s the best receiver in the league,” Avenger Coach Ed Hodgkiss said of the 29-year-old Jackson, the only player from the original Avenger roster.

Jackson’s early injury -- a sprained knee ligament -- allowed the Avengers to work several other receivers into their attack. Veteran Greg Hopkins remains one of the AFL’s most reliable pass catchers, and Kevin Ingram, Joe Douglass and Henry Douglas offer quarterback Tony Graziani effective options.

“You choose your poison,” Jackson said. “That’s fine with me, as long as we’re winning.”

Sacramento’s James Roe also caught seven touchdown passes last week, and although it’s the Colorado Crush (6-3) coming to Staples Center on Saturday for the start of the second half of the season, Jackson said division-leading Sacramento (7-1) remained the team the Avengers (5-3) must eventually beat.

The SaberCats defeated the Avengers twice this season -- 61-55 on Feb. 22 at Staples Center and 55-52 at San Jose on March 26.

“If we had somehow squeaked out those two games, we’re sitting at 7-1 right now, so we’re not far off,” Jackson said. “The 5-3 record is a little bit deceiving. We want to put ourselves in contention and hopefully we’ll peak at the right time.”

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Rookie Henry Douglas returned a kickoff and a missed field-goal attempt for touchdowns against Austin.

Douglas’ 56-yard kickoff return tied a franchise record. His return of the missed field-goal try covered 49 yards.

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The Avengers’ injury problems in the defensive backfield continue.

Defensive specialist Ben Kelly, who made his first start last week, left the game against Austin because of leg cramps but is expected to play against Colorado.

Defensive specialist Jason Moore suffered a sprained ankle and is listed as day-to-day. If Moore cannot play against Colorado, Douglas or receiver Russell Shaw will start.