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AVENGERS 57, GEORGIA 51...


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L.A. shakes off injury to defeat Force
By Martin Henderson, Times Staff Writer
May 20, 2007

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The Avengers' leading receiver, Kevin Ingram, was out because of a fractured thumb. Their best defensive back, Damen Wheeler, was a late scratch from the lineup because of neck spasms.

And the Georgia Force, with the highest-scoring offense in the Arena Football League, was in Staples Center to beat down on a home team that was emotionally drained from a last-second loss a week ago.

But in what may be the defining game of their season, the Avengers beat Georgia, 57-51, Saturday in front of 13,922 spectators. The Avengers (6-5) ended Georgia's five-game winning streak. The Force (9-2) had averaged 62 points.

The Avengers shut down Georgia for more than 18 minutes on three consecutive possessions in the second half. Jason Stewart pressured Georgia's Chris Greisen into a poor throw on fourth down from the three-yard line at the end of the third quarter, and Josh Jeffries forced a Greisen fumble that was recovered by Stewart.

The Avengers scored 21 consecutive points for a 57-30 lead. Sonny Cumbie passed twice for touchdowns to LaShaun Ward, Ingram's replacement, who finished with four scoring receptions.

Cumbie passed for seven touchdowns. Lonnie Ford rushed for his 13th touchdown, breaking the team's single-season record.

It was vastly different from last week, when the Avengers were outscored in the fourth quarter, 20-7, and lost at home to Tampa Bay, 40-37.

Georgia did rally late, pulling the score to 57-51 with 46 seconds left. But it wasn't enough.

The Avengers hold the fifth of six playoff positions in the American conference, half a game behind next week's opponent, Kansas City (6-4).

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martin.henderson@latimes.com


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