AVENGERS HOLD OFF LATE RUSH FOR VICTORY HOPKINS' TD PROVES CRUCIAL AVENGERS 52, CHICAGO 49.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

The Avengers' offense is anything but reliable. Good thing they have a capable defense, often opportunistic special teams and the ability to hang on to a big lead.

Greg Hopkins scored a crucial touchdown by being in the right place at the right time when he hauled in a ball on a net recovery that bounced over Chicago's Russell Shaw and took two more bounces before landing right in the arms of Hopkins. He lowered his shoulders and plowed his way into the end zone 4 yards for a score that gave the Avengers a 17-point lead against the Rush on Saturday at Staples Center.

The Avengers held on for a 52-49 victory over Chicago in front of 11,904. The Rush scored 15 consecutive points to pull within three points with 2:09 left but the comeback bid fell short. Quarterback John Kaleo completed a 12-yard pass to Hopkins for a first down and the Avengers ran the clock out for the win.

The Avengers are one game behind San Jose for first place in the Western Division with four games left.

Damen Wheeler had two interceptions, including one he returned for a 34-yard touchdown, and lineman Silas Demary stripped Chicago quarterback Raymond Philyaw and recovered the fumble, which led to a score. Chicago had five turnovers and the Avengers scored 17 first-half points off miscues to take a 38-21 lead they never lost.

Chicago, which had won four consecutive games, had four turnovers early in the fourth quarter. Chris Pauley caught a pass as the Rush was driving but he fumbled the ball as Hopkins tackled him and the Avengers' Kevin Ingram recovered.

Before the game, the Avengers honored lineman Al Lucas, who died of an apparent spinal-cord injury after taking a hit to the head while trying to make a tackle in a game April 10 at Staples Center. Players returned to the arena Friday for the first time since his death to participate in a walk-through practice.

The lights were dimmed and fans celebrated Lucas' life with cheers while a picture of Lucas with his arms outstretched in his Avengers uniform graced the arena's big screen. One fan held a sign that read: ``We'll never forget you.''

Lucas' No. 76 T-shirts were sold during the game and proceeds will benefit some of the schools Lucas attended.

But the Avengers had to turn their attention back to football, especially if they have designs on the playoffs.

Yellow flags were a common sight as the teams combined for 18 penalties, slowing the game.

With a 52-34 lead, the Avengers could have put the game away but Charles Pauley intercepted Kaleo in the end zone midway through the fourth quarter. With about five minutes left, the Rush pulled within 52-41 with a 45-yard touchdown reception by Pauley. Charlie Cook scored from 4 yards out and the Rush added the two-point conversion to pull within three.

Three Avengers players were injured: Josh Jeffries left the game with a sprained ankle, Ivy suffered an injury to his left knee and Demary a rib cage injury.

Jill Painter, [phone]

jill.painter(at)dailynews.com