LOS ANGELES-In a game dominated by defense and kicking, the San Jose Sabercats scored the game's lone touchdown and prevailed over the Los Angeles Avengers 15-12 in a Week 11 AFL game. And by virtue of the result, the Sabercats take sole possession of first place in the AFL Western Division.
The Avengers started with the ball and moved 61 yards on 6 plays. The drive stalled, and Carmon Grimes kicked a 36-yard field goal to give Los Angeles a 3-0 lead with 11:36 to go in the first quarter. The Sabercats would punt, and then the Avengers started moving again with a 12-play, 58-yard drive. But again, San Jose would stiffen and Grimes kicked a 34-yard field goal to make it 6-0 with 2:51 to go in the first.
The Sabercats would get their own drive going, moving 41 yards on 11 plays. Ethan Wycoff ended the drive with a 35-yard field goal to make it 6-3 with 13:32 left in the second quarter. The Avengers answered with a 10-play, 48-yard drive that ended with Grimes connecting on a 37-yard field goal to take a 9-3 lead with 8:40 remaining in the half. San Jose's next drive ended with Wycoff missing a 49-yard field goal attempt. On the next play, Willie Guess fired a 56-yard pass to Alfie Tharp giving Los Angeles a first down at the San Jose 5-yard line. But two plays later, Guess was sacked by Curry Jerris and fumbled the ball. Mac Shockley recovered for the Sabercats at his own 12-yard line. San Jose would ultimately punt, but a pass by Guess was picked off by Bo Dicus at the Avengers' 49-yard line with 30 seconds left. Two plays netted 26 yards, and Wycoff kicked a 40-yard field goal with 1 second left to make it 9-6 at halftime.
There was no scoring in the third quarter, as both teams traded punts for field position. The Sabercats had their ball at their own 3 midway through the third, and looked to at least tie the game, but Wycoff would miss a 52-yard field goal attempt. The Avengers would punt, and San Jose started their next drive from their own 13. This time, the Sabercats found their way to the end zone, ending a 4-play, 87-yard drive with a 33-yard touchdown pass from Timmy Carey to Scooter Colby on the first play of the fourth quarter. Wycoff missed the extra point, and San Jose led 12-9 with 14:48 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Los Angeles would answer back driving 42 yards on 8 plays. But again, the Sabercats tightened up, and the Avengers settled for a 38-yard field goal by Grimes that tied the game at 12 with 10:01 remaining in the fourth. San Jose punted, and Shockley would prematurely end another Los Angeles drive with an interception that he returned 34 yards to the Avengers' 38-yard line. After netting 13 yards on 6 plays, Wycoff kicked a 42-yard field goal to take a 15-12 lead with 3:10 to go in the fourth quarter. Los Angeles couldn't muster another scoring drive, and San Jose would run out the clock.
San Jose (7-4) gained 323 yards of total offense. The Sabercats ran for 129 yards on 28 carries. Alan Sale led the team with 86 yards on 14 carries. Andre Stanfill was 14-of-24 passing for 94 yards and was sacked once for a 10-yard loss. Carey was 8-of-17 for 115 yards and 1 TD. He was sacked once for a 5-yard loss. Colby was the leading receiver with 6 catches for 74 yards and a TD. Next week, the Sabercats will host the Dallas Desperados.
Los Angeles (6-5) gained 347 yards of total offense. The Avengers ran for 132 yards on 28 carries. Chip Kindrick led the team with 61 yards on 13 carries. Guess was 15-of-27 passing for 215 yards and 2 INT. He was sacked four times, losing 28 yards. Kindrick (63 yards) and Tharp (91 yards) each caught 4 passes in the game. Next week, the Avengers host the Milwaukee Mustangs.
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