Avengers Drop Rampage, 61-51

Published on March 23, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Avengers used an impressive combination of offense and defense to defeat the Grand Rapids Rampage, 61-51, in front of 13,849 energetic fans at the STAPLES Center on Sunday afternoon.

Los Angeles' defense held Grand Rapids to a season-low 13 first half points, while the Avengers' offense scored on all but two possessions to improve the team's overall record to 6-2. The Rampage jumped out to a 6-0 lead, but would never see the lead again. With the loss, Grand Rapids falls to 5-3 overall and 3-2 on the road. Quarterback Tony Graziani, who was named the game's MVP, led the way for the Avengers, completing 20-of-27 passes for 222 yards and seven touchdowns.

Wide receiver/defensive back Kevin Ingram earned Ironman honors by catching four passes for 36 yards and two touchdowns on offense, and registering five tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception on defense. LA also received great performances from offensive specialist Chris Jackson and wide receiver/linebacker Greg Hopkins. Jackson finished with eight catches for 72 yards and two touchdowns, while Hopkins finished with six catches for 88 yards and three touchdowns.

In defeat, Clint Dolezel finished 29-of-43 for 290 yards, six touchdowns and an interception. Rampage backup quarterback Nick Browder, who entered the game in the third quarter when Dolezel had the wind knocked out of him, rushed for a score and threw a two-point conversion to Terrill Shaw. Damon Hodge led all Rampage receivers with eight catches for 82 yards, while Steve Smith led all Rampage receivers with three touchdowns.

Grand Rapids began the first quarter with a bang as Dolezel hit Willis Marshall for a 46-yard TD on the second play of the game. After the extra point attempt failed, the Rampage led 6-0. Grand Rapids then tried to catch the Avengers sleeping by attempting an onside kick, but for only the second time this season the Rampage were unable to come up with the ball. Three plays later, Graziani hit Hopkins for a 4-yard TD, giving the Avengers a 7-6 lead. Grand Rapids then drove the ball right back into LA territory on their next offensive possession, but their drive was cut short when Ingram recovered a Chris Avery fumble at his own 16-yard line. Four plays later, Graziani again found Hopkins for a TD, this time from 18 yards out, giving the Avengers a 14-6 advantage at the 4:34 mark of the first quarter. On their last offensive possession of the quarter, Grand Rapids would once again drive the length of the field, but would once again come up short as Dolezel couldn't connect with Shaw in the end zone on fourth down.

The second quarter began with some good news for the Rampage as Lamar Grant recovered an Ingram fumble at LA's 22-yard line. Grand Rapids' good news turned bad six plays later when Ingram picked off Dolezel in the end zone, giving the Avengers the ball right back with 11:08 remaining in the second quarter. LA capitalized on the turnover four plays later when Graziani hit Ingram from 15 yards out to give the Avengers a two-touchdown lead, 20-6.

The score remained 20-6 after former Rampage kicker Remy Hamilton missed the ensuing extra point attempt. Grand Rapids finally posted points in the second frame at the 4:35 mark when Dolezel hooked up with Smith for a 17-yard TD, cutting the LA lead to seven, 20-13. The Avengers regained their 14-point lead on their next offensive possession as Graziani once again connected with Hopkins for an Avenger TD. Looking to put the game away, LA attempted and recovered Hamilton's onside kick on the ensuing kickoff. The Avengers settled with a 17-yard Hamilton field goal to end the half, giving LA a 30-13 lead after two quarters.

The third quarter began with more Avenger scoring as Graziani threw his fifth TD pass of the night to Jackson at the 12:48 mark. Grand Rapids answered with a Dolezel to Marshall TD and two-point conversion, cutting the Avengers' lead to 37-21. The two sides then traded TDs to end the quarter. LA's score, which came at the 6:28 mark of the quarter, came on another Graziani to Jackson TD, while Grand Rapids put points on the board with Browder's rushing TD, followed by the Browder to Shaw two-point conversion. At the end of three, LA led 44-29.

The fourth quarter proved to be the Rampage's most productive quarter, but it was too little, too late. The back-and-fourth final frame scoring started with Graziani's seventh and final TD pass to Ingram with 9:32 seconds remaining in the game. Grand Rapids countered with a Dolezel to Smith TD and two-point conversion, which narrowed LA's lead back down to two TDs, 51-37. The Rampage then attempted another onside kick, but again were unsuccessful as the ball went out-of-bounds. On the very next play, Lonnie Ford gave the Avengers a 58-37 lead by running the ball up the middle for a 13-yard TD. Grand Rapids once again answered with a Dolezel to Smith TD at the 1:42 mark of the final frame. The extra point would have put the Rampage within two TDs, but a snap and hold problem cause Brian Gowins to miss the attempt. Trying to run out the clock, LA added a 20-yard Hamilton field goal to take a 61-43 lead with 31 seconds remaining in the game. The Rampage then capped off scoring with an 8-yard Dolezel to Shaw TD and a Dolezel to Hodge two-point conversion.

Grand Rapids returns home to face the Chicago Rush on Saturday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m. The game, which is officially sold out, can be seen live on WXSP-TV (Channel 18) and heard live on WBBL 1340 AM.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 23, 2003


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