Avengers gain on playoffs

PHOENIX —  After trailing by as many as 18 points in the first half, the Avengers rallied to a 55-52 victory over the Arizona Rattlers on Monday night that improved their playoff chances.

The Avengers (8-6) need to win one of their final two regular-season games to reach the playoffs. A loss by the Nashville Kats (6-8) in one of their final two games also would clinch a playoff berth for the Avengers.

Avengers quarterback Sonny Cumbie completed 31 of 44 passes for 318 yards and six touchdowns. Rob Turner had four touchdown receptions, and Robert Quiroga had two.

The Avengers took their first lead, 48-45, when defensive end Silas Demary deflected a Chris Sanders pass that fell into the hands of nose guard Jason Stewart, who ran 24 yards for the touchdown with 10:27 left.

A 30-yard touchdown pass from Cumbie to Turner made it 55-45 with 4:22 left.

Sanders filled in at quarterback for Sherdrick Bonner (hip), completing 22 of 37 passes for 266 yards and four touchdowns while also running for three scores for Arizona (4-11).