AVENGERS TODAY
at Orlando, 9 a.m. PDT, Channel 4
Site--TD Waterhouse Centre, Orlando, Fla.
Radio--570.
Records--Avengers 5-3, Predators 6-3.
Record vs. Predators (2004)--0-1.
Update--Games between these teams have been decided on the final play the last two seasons. The Avengers won on a miracle last play two years ago, when Greg Hopkins fielded a pass off the netting for a touchdown. Last season, the Predators won on a last-second field goal. The Avengers altered their travel plans to adjust to the time difference, leaving on Friday, a day earlier than usual. A small detail, maybe, but the Avengers have won eight of their last 10 games in the Eastern time zone. Kicker Remy Hamilton has made 82% of his field-goal tries, which has him on pace for the accuracy record set by Orlando’s Jay Taylor, 72%, in 2004. The Predators, who rank second in the AFL in pass defense, are led by defensive specialist Johnnie Harris, the league’s defensive player of the year in 1998. He spent five seasons in the NFL, playing for the Raiders and New York Giants. Orlando has given up the second-fewest touchdowns in the league.
-- Chris Foster
