Football: Jackson stays red hot

Former Orange Coast College basketball standout Chris Jackson

continues to shine for the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football

League.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound offensive specialist is off to a sizzling

start through two games of his third season with the team.

Jackson was named AFL Offensive Player of the Week after catching 12

passes for 145 yards and four touchdowns, and rushing for a fifth

touchdown, in a 43-25 season-opening victory over the New York Dragons

April 19 at Staples Center.

Saturday, Jackson continued his tear, hauling in 11 passes for a

team-record 242 yards and five more TDs in a 63-59 loss to the Arizona

Rattlers at America West Arena in Phoenix.

His scoring receptions Saturday were from 27, 49, 9, 6 and 29 yards.

His final TD put the Avengers up, 59-56, with 4:39 remaining.

The 200 AFL Rookie of the Year, Jackson has had a touchdown catch in

all 25 games with the Avengers (47 total). He is the team’s all-time

leader in receptions (176).

Jackson, 27, has failed to latch on in NFL auditions with the Seattle

Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans.

Jackson and the Avengers visit the Dallas Desperados Saturday at 5:30

p.m.