Avengers Get Past Las Vegas

It’s uncertain whether the Avengers’ Greg Hopkins played his final Arena Football League game Saturday night, but if he did, his teammates made sure that he finished on a positive note with a 44-27 come-from-behind victory over the Las Vegas Gladiators in Staples Center.

Hopkins’ touchdown catch in the third quarter helped spark the Avengers to a 24-0 run, and they never looked back in winning their second consecutive game to close the season with a 5-11 record. Las Vegas also finished 5-11.

For Hopkins, Saturday’s game could have been his last because of his interests outside of football. Hopkins -- selected to the AFL’s “20 Greatest Players” all-time list before the season -- is running for office in Pennsylvania.

If Hopkins’ political bid is successful this year, he will not be back with the Avengers, who failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in five years.

“This may have been my last game, and then again, it may not be,” said Hopkins, who ended his 11th season as one of only five AFL players to surpass 10,000 yards receiving in a career. “It’s been killing me trying to do both. I’ve been trying to make telephone calls and have people go door to door, but it’s hard to get things going being out here trying to keep up while being behind three hours.

“But if this was my last game, the Avengers have been a great organization to play for.... It’s sad that we’re going out with a 5-11 record, but we showed the type of team we had over the last few weeks.”

Coach Ed Hodgkiss said it’s difficult to imagine the Avengers without their offensive and defensive mainstay.

“We’ve talked about it and everyone is aware of the situation, but it’s not like we know for sure that this is his final game. That’s why [the Avengers] did not do anything special,” Hodgkiss said.

Quarterback Sonny Cumbie finished his rookie season for the Avengers by completing 17 of 28 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns with two intercepted. Hopkins finished with four catches for 48 yards.

The Avengers also received a strong game from an opportunistic defense and special teams.