LAS VEGAS, Nev. (May 11, 2005) – No team has gone through more this season than the Avengers, but they have somehow made the most of a terrible experience.

After the shocking death of lineman Al Lucas rocked the team, it somehow managed to keep its focus and now is one of the league's hotter teams.

The Avengers (9-5) have won three in a row to grab sole possession of the Western Division lead. Los Angeles, which hosts Las Vegas in a crucial game this weekend, sent a message with last Saturday's 54-42 victory at defending champion San Jose.

How did the Avengers do this?

"I think we really have a group that is close to start with," Avengers coach Ed Hodgkiss said. "They really formed a bond in training camp. It's the tragedy that really brought everybody closer together."

The team faced that tragedy together when Lucas suffered an apparent spinal cord injury April 10 against New York on what appeared to be a routine kickoff return. Lucas died as a result of the injury, becoming the first player in the 19-year history of the league to die in a game.

Hodgkiss had to find a way to keep the team together, but knew he couldn't devise some grand plan. This was all about feel.

"There's not a book or anything like that," he said. "You try to do right every step of the way. Even now, it's day by day. We're still dealing with it, and we try to focus to get better.

"We didn't say we were going to win the whole thing or maybe just a game for Al because it would've been a letdown if we didn't win the game. Al always showed up at practice and worked hard and worked 100 percent of the time. So I talked (to the team) about all of that."

The team obviously listened.

"If we had packed our tents and not played well the last four or five games, it would've snowballed into something nobody would've liked," wide receiver/linebacker Greg Hopkins said. "Playing football and winning games really helped. But we've never really put it behind us."

QUICK THOUGHTS

• When the owners meet soon, they will discuss making subtle changes that will change the game's face.

Because so many NFL owners are involved, they want the AFL to look more like that league by relaxing the illegal-defense rules. And they're right.

Arena football is a great sport, but it could use some changes. Mainly, there is too much offense. While many die-hards love the sport because of that fact, it keeps arena football from truly becoming mainstream.

By decreasing offense, you increase strategy. There still will be plenty of touchdowns, but there won't be so many that will be mind-numbing.

• Don't be surprised if owners increase the playoff field from eight to 12 because of the addition of Utah and perhaps another team or two. While that would make sense from a financial standpoint, it would be a mistake.

Too many sports have seriously diluted regular seasons by inviting just about every team to the postseason. Look at the NBA and major league baseball. No matter if your team wins or loses, you don't get too wrapped up emotionally either way.

With the AFL, wins and losses carry so much weight. That's the way it should remain.

• Let's hope Utah is admitted to the Western Division. Having former Arizona coach Danny White back in the division would be tremendous, and there is little doubt he will make that club competitive quickly. With Arizona, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Jose and Utah, the Western Division could become the league's strongest.

Mark Anderson is the AFLWA executive director. He also covers the Gladiators for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.