Avengers Hold Off Las Vegas Charge, 54-51

The Avengers continued their drive for one of the Arena Football League’s eight playoff spots Saturday night with a 54-51 victory over Las Vegas before 14,588 at Staples Center.

The Avengers, who entered the game in a three-way tie for sixth place in the playoff standings, can clinch a postseason berth if Tampa Bay, New York, Indiana and Austin all lose today.

More likely, the Avengers will have to defeat Orlando next Sunday at home in the regular-season finale to advance to the playoffs for the third year in a row.

“This was a great momentum builder,” said Avenger receiver Kevin Ingram, who caught three of quarterback Tony Graziani’s six touchdown passes. “This was like a playoff game for us and we have another one next week.”

The Avengers (9-6) improved to 3-4 at home. Las Vegas (7-8), which had won four consecutive games, was eliminated from playoff contention.

“That’s one less team that we have to worry about,” said Graziani, who completed 17 of 24 passes for 229 yards.

The Avengers scored on eight of nine possessions before running out the clock to secure the victory.

Despite stopping Las Vegas three times in the first half, the Avengers led only 20-17 at the break.

The margin remained three points -- 33-30 -- at the end of the third quarter, and the teams traded touchdowns throughout the fourth.

The Avengers went ahead, 47-37, with 2 minutes 22 seconds left on a two-yard run by Josh Jeffries, but the Gladiators answered with a six-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Clint Dolezel to receiver Coco Blalock with 40 seconds remaining.

Graziani gave the Avengers a 54-44 lead when he scored on a sneak with 28 seconds left.

Dolezel’s 32-yard touchdown pass to Blalock made the score 54-51 with 17 seconds to play, but the Avengers recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock.

Ingram finished with six receptions for 88 yards.

Greg Hopkins caught five passes for 57 yards and offensive specialist Chris Jackson caught three passes, including two that resulted in touchdowns.

Dolezel completed 32 of 50 passes for 326 yards and six touchdowns with one interception.

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In other games:

Mark Grieb was 22 of 29 for 289 yards and five touchdowns in the San Jose SaberCats’ 48-36 victory over the Philadelphia Soul (5-10) in front of 13,423 at San Jose. Fred Coleman had nine receptions for 130 yards for the SaberCats (11-4).

Ryan Vena threw eight touchdown passes and ran for another at Dallas to help the Columbus Destroyers (6-9) defeat the Dallas Desperados, 68-56, in front of 10,493. Scott Dreisbach was 27 of 38 for 316 yards and four touchdowns for the Desperados (6-9).

Rickey Foggie was 21 of 33 for 275 yards and three touchdowns at Charlotte, N.C., as the Carolina Cobras (6-9) defeated the Grand Rapids Rampage, 36-31, in front of 7,923. Anthony Buich was 28 of 43 for 296 yards and three touchdowns for the Rampage (1-14), losers of six in a row.

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Times wire services contributed to this report.