AVENGERS WIN A TITLE VICTORY PROVIDES WESTERN CROWN, PLAYOFF BERTH.Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer The Avengers clinched their first Western Division title, but they kept their fans in suspense during a back- and-forth encounter with the Las Vegas Gladiators The Las Vegas Gladiators are not related to the Pittsburgh Gladiators, which was an Arena Football League team that played only from the 1987 season through the 1990 season before relocating and become the Tampa Bay Storm. . Rookie Michale Spicer bulled his way into the end zone, dragging defenders with him, for a 1-yard touchdown with 1:49 remaining Saturday to give the Avengers a 63-60 victory over the Gladiators gladiators [Lat.,=swordsmen], in ancient Rome, class of professional fighters, who performed for exhibition. Gladiatorial combats usually took place in amphitheaters. They probably were introduced from Etruria and originally were funeral games. before 11,873 at Staples Center This article has multiple issues: * Its neutrality is disputed. * It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. * It does not cite any references or sources. . The Avengers followed Spicer's score with a big defensive stand, stuffing Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. running back Marlion Jackson for no gain on fourth and 1 at the Avengers 5 with 34 seconds left. The Avengers are in the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. By winning the title, they'll host a first-round playoff game Noun 1. playoff game - one game in the series of games constituting a playoff game - a single play of a sport or other contest; "the game lasted two hours" playoff - any final competition to determine a championship May 29. A playoff berth was assured before the game was over. Arizona's victory over defending Arena Football League champion San Jose San Jose, city, United States San Jose (sănəzā`, săn hōzā`), city (1990 pop. 782,248), seat of Santa Clara co., W central Calif.; founded 1777, inc. 1850. was over before the Avengers' game, ensuring the Avengers would finish among the American Conference's top four teams. Las Vegas was in desperation mode, needing to win its final two games and receive a little help to make the playoffs. The Avengers were missing defensive specialist Antuan Simmons Antuan Simmons (born March 31, 1979) is an American football cornerback. Professional career Simmons played for the National Football League San Francisco 49ers in 2004 and now plays for the Arena Football League and is now a member of the Los Angeles Avengers. , on injured reserve with a foot injury, and it showed in a high-scoring affair. In January, the Avengers fell to Las Vegas 46-37. Saturday, the teams combined for 76 points by halftime. The Avengers scored on five first-half possessions, and the Gladiators six. Gladiators receiver Marcus Nash Marcus DeLando Nash (born February 1, 1976 in Tulsa, Oklahoma) is an Arena Football League offensive specialist for the Dallas Desperados. He was a first round pick for the Denver Broncos in the 1998 NFL Draft but was shortly traded away to the Miami Dolphins, where he was - once a first-round NFL draft pick - scored three touchdowns, giving him 38 this season. Nash caught a 15-yard pass, withstanding a big hit from Jermaine Smith, to give Las Vegas a 54-49 lead with 10:25 to play. Kicker Mark Lewis missed his second PAT of game, hitting the right upright for the second time. The Gladiators tried two second-quarter onside kicks that the Avengers recovered. L.A. didn't capitalize on the first, as quarterback John Kaleo was intercepted by Marvin Taylor. The Avengers capitalized on Las Vegas's second unsuccessful onside kick attempt, pulling ahead 35-34 on a 9-yard reception by Kevin Ingram. The Gladiators answered and led 41-35 at halftime on an 11-yard touchdown reception by former Avenger Joe Douglass with nine seconds left. The Avengers scored on their first play of the game, a 30-yard Kaleo pass to Greg Hopkin, who made three touchdown receptions in the first half. Jill Painter, (818)713-3615 jill.painter(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Las Vegas' Joe Douglass, left, is slowed by the Avengers' Damen Wheeler as Kevin Ingram (5) prepares to deliver a hit. Edna T. Simpson/Daily News |
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