FORCE NOT WITH THE AVENGERS IN OVERTIME SETBACK GEORGIA 53, AVENGERS 52.

Byline: Ross Siler Staff Writer

There will be other business for the Avengers to attend to this bye week, specifically the scheduled birth this morning of kicker Remy Hamilton's first child and the return of three starters from the injured list in time for the team's next game.

But the sour feelings from Monday night's 53-52 overtime loss to the Georgia Force at Staples Center will be hard to shake.

The Avengers (2-2) lost their second consecutive game thanks to Force kicker Steve McLaughlin's 50-yard field goal at the end of regulation and a two-point conversion pass from Leon Murray to Dialleo Burks in overtime.

After a 9-yard touchdown catch by Force receiver Dameon Porter, Georgia (2-2) elected to play for the win and go for two. Murray faked a handoff right, then rolled left and found Burks wide open for the victory. That sent the announced crowd of 10,236 into silence and the Avengers (2-2) to their first two-game losing streak since, coincidentally, the Force came to town last year.

The loss overshadowed the performances of Avengers receiver Joe Douglass, who caught nine passes for 126 yards in his first start, and lineman Arnold Miller, who had a hand on Murray at every turn. The Avengers took over the ball to start overtime and Graziani coolly found Douglass for a 35-yard touchdown, Douglass' third of the game. It also appeared the Avengers had overcome McLaughlin's stunning kick only minutes earlier.

The end of regulation appeared to be entirely within the Avengers' control when Graziani found Greg Hopkins a step in front of Georgia's Willie Gary for a 5-yard touchdown with 19 seconds left to make it 45-42. Georgia took over and bungled the snap before falling on the loose ball, burning nine seconds. But the Force then threw a short pass to Dialleo Burks - a crucial play as it turned out when McLaughlin connected on a 50-yard field goal by only a few feet to send the game to overtime.

Even with All-Arena offensive specialist Chris Jackson out with a sprained knee, Graziani completed 23 of 36 passes for 253 yards and 6 touchdowns. Graziani has not thrown an interception in 133 attempts this season - against 26 touchdowns. Hamilton, meanwhile, was a perfect 7 for 7 on extra points and connected on a 40-yard field goal in the third quarter.

The Avengers now will try to enjoy a well-timed bye week. Starting lineman Jeremy Staat (knee) and starting defensive specialist Damen Wheeler (hamstring) both are expected to return from injuries for the Avengers next game on March 14 at Grand Rapids, as is Jackson.

Ross Siler, [phone]

ross.siler(at)dailynews.com