AFL: Avengers Defeat Firebirds, 24-17

ALBANY, NY-The Los Angeles Avengers scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to prevail over the Albany Firebirds 24-17 in a Week 4 AFL game.

After the Firebirds punted to start the game, the Avengers would drive 26 yards on 5 plays. Carmon Grimes finished the drive with a 40-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead with 9:49 left in the first quarter. The teams traded punts through the remainder of the first quarter.

Albany would drive 45 yards on 6 plays, and would get on the board early in the second quarter with a 34-yard field goal by Wally Dancer to tie the game at 3 with 14:07 remaining in the second quarter. After Los Angeles went three-and-out, the Firebirds went on the move again with a 9-play, 84-yard drive. Sinbad Gargaro would throw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Abdul Fowler to give Albany a 10-6 lead with 7:21 remaining in the half. The Avengers would strike back with an 11-play, 81-yard drive that ended with a 7-yard touchdown run by Chip Kindrick tying the game at 10 with 2:16 remaining in the second quarter.

The only score in the third quarter was on the opening kickoff, when Igor Keough fumbled on the return and Finley Noon ran it back 33 yards for a touchdown to give the Firebirds a 17-10 lead with 14:40 remaining in the third quarter. The rest of the quarter was dominated by punting.

The Avengers would drive 80 yards on 11 plays, and Willie Guess threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Chad Cushing to tie the game at 17 with 12:54 left in the fourth quarter. After trading punts, Clem Wallen picked off Gargaro and streaked 29 yards for a touchdown to give Los Angeles a 24-17 lead with 7:18 left in the fourth quarter. Albany would be turned away on fourth down at the Avengers' 14-yard line with 3:09 left. Then the Avengers would punt with about a minute to go. Gargaro would throw a long bomb to the end zone with 11 seconds left, but Orrin Dyre picked it off and almost ran it back for a touchdown before time ran out.

Los Angeles (2-2) gained 250 yards of total offense. The Avengers ran for 105 yards on 31 carries. Kindrick led the team with 65 yards on 18 carries and a TD. Guess was 17-of-27 passing for 188 yards and a TD. He was sacked five times, losing 43 yards. Keifer Dance was the leading receiver with 6 catches for 53 yards. The Avengers visit the Colorado Crush next week.

Albany (2-2) gained 350 yards of total offense. The Firebirds ran for 60 yards on 21 carries. Tico Ponder led the team with 32 yards on 8 carries. He also led with 6 receptions for 89 yards. Gargaro was 24-of-39 passing for 322 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked four times, losing 32 yards. The Firebirds will host the Grand Rapids Rampage next week.