Friday, February 3, 2017

AFL: Rampage Beat Avengers, 30-18

LOS ANGELES-The Grand Rapids Rampage defeated the Los Angeles Avengers 30-18 in a Week 15 AFL game.

Los Angeles punted to start the game, then Grand Rapids moved the ball 58 yards on 7 plays. Curtis Wayne finished the drive off with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Lester Gartman to give the Rampage a 7-0 lead with 10:47 to go in the first quarter. On the Avengers' next possession, Juan York was intercepted by Bobby Harpole who took it 12 yards to the Los Angeles 38-yard line. After seven plays netted 29 yards, George Tibbs connected on a 26-yard field goal to give Grand Rapids a 10-0 lead with 6:47 left in the first. The teams would trade punts, and the Avengers had a chance to score, but Carmon Grimes would miss a 43-yard field goal attempt late in the first quarter.

The Rampage would punt to start the second quarter, but York would get picked off again, this time by Rodd Clift who ran 28 yards to the Avengers 9-yard line. Toby Harrell scored on a 9-yard touchdown run on the next play to extend the Grand Rapids lead to 17-0 with 13:13 remaining in the half. Los Angeles would finally get on the board following a 10-play, 83-yard drive that ended with Grimes kicking a 22-yard field goal to make it 17-3 with 7:22 left in the second quarter. The Rampage answered with a 9-play, 36-yard drive that ended with Tibbs kicking a 51-yard field goal to make it 20-3 with 2:21 remaining in the second. The Avengers went 49 yards on 7 plays, and Grimes kicked a 48-yard field goal to make it 20-6 with 36 seconds to go in the half. But Grand Rapids got the last laugh going 38 yards on 4 plays, and Tibbs kicked a 38-yard field goal on the last play of the half to give the Rampage a 23-6 lead.

The second half began with both teams punting, and the Rampage then moved the ball 80 yards on 8 plays. Wayne finished it off with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Hudie Naylor to make it 30-6 with 4:05 left in the third quarter. The Avengers got into position for Grimes to attempt a 47-yard field goal, but it was blocked by Artie Borden. The Rampage appeared ready to extend their lead, but Bobo Cushing fumbled and Carlisle June recovered and took it 7 yards to the Avengers' 29-yard line early in the fourth.

Following the fumble, Los Angeles drove 71 yards on 12 plays, and York finished it off with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Ken Lavue. The Avengers missed a 2-point conversion attempt, and were down 30-12 with 9:31 left in the fourth quarter. Los Angeles failed an onside kick, but Grand Rapids P Geraine Norman was blocked and recovered by Roman Costigan at the Rampage 38-yard line. Four plays later, York fired a 38-yard touchdown pass to Keifer Dance. Once again, the 2-point conversion was no good, and the Avengers were down 30-18 with 7:07 left in the fourth quarter. Los Angeles recovered the onside kick that time, but York was picked off by Orville Brill who returned it 22 yards to the Rampage 47-yard line. After a Rampage punt, York would get picked off again by Brill, and Grand Rapids would run out the clock.

Grand Rapids (10-5) gained 317 yards of total offense. The Rampage ran for 100 yards on 31 carries. Harrell led the team with 36 yards on 12 carries and a TD. Wayne was 16-of-28 passing for 231 yards and 2 TD. He was sacked three times, losing 14 yards. Naylor (53 yards, TD), Joe Foss (41 yards) and Cushing (29 yards) each caught three passes in the game. The Rampage will wrap up the regular season hosting the Colorado Crush.

Los Angeles (5-10) gained 356 yards of total offense. The Avengers were held to 58 yards rushing on 19 carries. Igor Keough gained 16 yards on 8 carries. York gained 16 yards on 4 carries. He also went 23-of-43 passing for 322 yards, 2 TD and 4 INT. He was sacked four times, losing 24 yards. Chip Kindrick was LA's leading receiver with 6 catches for 63 yards. The Avengers will visit the New York Dragons to close out their regular season.

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