AVENGERS LOCKE UP WIN RECEIVER HAS 3 TDS IN FIRST GAME AVENGERS 71, SAN JOSE 69.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

Tony Locke put a medical career on hold so he could pursue football again. He passed his first test Sunday.

In his Avengers debut, Locke made three first-half touchdown receptions - just activated from the practice squad, he had stayed after practice every day last week with quarterback John Kaleo to work on their timing.

It was a nice combination for the Avengers, who hung on for a 71-69 victory Sunday over defending Arena Football League champion San Jose at Staples Center.

Locke, who played mostly on special teams at Ohio State, was the Avengers' offensive specialist, and he thrived in that role, gaining 118 yards receiving. He replaced Rob Turner, who is on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.

``It felt great to get in the end zone and put points on the board,'' said Locke, who graduated from Ohio State in 2001. ``That's what this is about.''

It's also about the playoffs and, although it's early, this was a big victory. The Avengers (3-1) ended their losing streak to the Sabercats (1-3) at three games and have a two-game lead in the Western Division.

Locke, who showcased his speed Sunday, played four games with Columbus last year, then had a record-setting season with Albany of arenafootball2.

Greg Hopkins, usually seen on the offensive end, intercepted San Jose quarterback Mark Grieb twice and nearly had a third but dropped it. Or, as Hopkins put it, it hit him in the face.

``(This win is) big ... they've always seemed to have our number,'' Hopkins said. ``But I don't think anybody is getting too high or two low since we lost to Las Vegas (in the season opener). No one's blowing it up like it's a big win, and that's how it should be.''

It was an exciting finish for those among the 13,088 spectators who stick around after the Avengers built a 68-49 fourth-quarter lead.

San Jose frazzled the Avengers with the long pass, cutting its deficit to 68-62 as James Roe scored on a 41-yard reception Rashied Davis on a 38-yard catch.

After Roe's touchdown catch, the Sabercats recovered an onside kick and Davis scored on the next play, with 52 seconds left.

Remy Hamilton kicked a 19-yard field goal with 34 seconds remaining to give the Avengers a 71-62 lead. Hamilton missed a 31-yarder, his first miss of the season.

The Avengers set a record with 34 points in the second quarter, most in team history.

Early in the fourth quarter, Lonnie Ford broke a tackle at the line of scrimmage and ran 36 yards for a score and 58-42 Avengers lead. It was the second-longest run in team history. Chad Dukes holds the record, a 39-yard sprint at San Jose in 2002.

Jill Painter, [phone]

jill.painter(at)dailynews.com

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(Final -- shorter caption ran in Valley edition) The Avengers' Kevin Ingram catches a TD pass in the first quarter, but the play was called back due to a holding penalty.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer