ORLANDO-A game between two of the AFL's "bottom feeders" turned out to be an exciting game as the Orlando Predators defeated the Los Angeles Avengers at the buzzer by a score of 40-37 in Week 7 action.
The Predators started the game out with a punt, then Juan York of the Avengers was intercepted by Jack Stuckey at the Orlando 27-yard line. After that, the Preds went on a 11-play, 73-yard drive that ended with DJ Haji throwing a 16-yard touchdown pass to Steven Thompson with 6:21 to go in the first to take a 7-0 lead. Igor Keough fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Franklin Read recovered for Orlando at the 23-yard line. After gaining 1 yard and getting a running into the kicker penalty, Abel White kicked a 34-yard field goal with 5:06 remaining in the first to make it 10-0. On Los Angeles' next drive, York was intercepted again, this time by Fahad Ruff at the Predators' 47. After that, the punters dominated the remainder of the quarter until Yannel Fletcher placed a perfect coffin corner kick at the Avengers 3-yard line. Chip Kindrick was then tackled in the end zone for a safety by Ringo Flack to put Orlando up 12-0 with 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
After the safety kick, the Predators moved the ball 21 yards on 8 plays, and White kicked a 51-yard field goal to make it 15-0 with 12:10 remaining in the first half. With that, Los Angeles's offense finally held on to the ball and drove 66 yards on 10 plays, and Kindrick would score on a 5-yard touchdown run to make it 15-7 with 7:25 remaining in the second. Orlando would fall victim to the interception bug on their next drive, as Archie Umsted picked Haji off in the end zone for a touchback. Los Angeles then went on a 7-play, 45-yard drive that ended with a 52-yard field goal by Carmon Grimes with 1:54 remaining in the half to make it 15-10. Orlando punted, then Ruff intercepted York again to end the half.
The second half began with a bang as Keough atoned for his earlier fumble and returned the second half kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown. The Avengers attempted to go for two and failed, and were up 16-15 with 14:44 left in the third quarter. Haji fumbled the snap for Orlando, and Austin Fairleigh recovered for the Avengers at the Orlando 42. But the turnover was for naught, as York was picked off by Steve Trevathan who returned it 7 yards to the Predators 12. Orlando then drove 88 yards on 12 plays, ending with a 1-yard touchdown pass from Haji to Farren Smithson. The Predators 2-Point conversion was good, and Orlando pulled ahead 23-16 with 5:41 to go in the third quarter. Another Los Angeles scoring threat was snuffed out by a York interception, this time by Denver Frakes in the end zone. But Haji was subsequently picked off by Clem Wallen at the Orlando 28-yard line.
Following that interception, Los Angeles went on a 5-play, 28-yard drive that saw York scramble in from four yards out that tied the game at 23 with 12:59 to go in the fourth. The Predators would respond with an 8-play, 73-yard drive, ending with Haji throwing a 1-yard touchdown pass to Thompson to put Orlando up 30-23 with 8:15 to go in the fourth. After an Avengers punt, Orlando drove 41 yards on 4 plays, with Labe Felts scoring on an 8-yard touchdown run to put the Predators up 37-23 with 4:40 left in the game. On the enusing kickoff, Keough would take off for another touchdown, this one a 97-yarder, to cut the deficit to 37-30 with 4:24 to go. The Predators would punt on their next drive, and the Avengers would move on a 6-play, 80-yard drive. York would finish the drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Ken Lavue with 30 seconds left to tie the game at 37. RW Warden took the ensuing kickoff at his own 15 and returned it 34 yards to the 49. Two plays later, the Predators were at the Avengers 36 with 5 seconds remaining. White came on and kicked a 53-yard field goal to win the game.
Orlando (2-5) gained 406 yards of total offense. The Predators ran for 109 yards on 29 carries. D.J. Giles led the team with 56 yards on 14 carries. Haji went 27-of-38 passing for 334 yards, 3 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked five times, losing 37 yards. Thompson led Orlando receivers with 7 catches for 70 yards and 2 TD. Next week, the Predators will host the Georgia Force, who clobbered them 39-7 in Week 5.
Los Angeles (2-5) gained 297 yards of total offense. The Avengers gained 126 yards on 23 carries. Kindrick led the team with 57 yards on 13 carries and a TD. York was 14-of-25 passing for 197 yards, 1 TD and 5 INT. He was sacked three times, losing 26 yards. Lavue led the Avengers with 6 receptions for 85 yards and a TD. The Avengers will host the Arizona Rattlers next week, looking to avenge a 27-17 defeat in Week 5.
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