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Destroyers Game Notes

May 21, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Buffalo Destroyers News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Grand Rapids Rampage vs. Buffalo Destroyers
Date: Saturday, May 25, 2002
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (EST)
Site: Van Andel Arena (10,454)
Officials: Perry Havener (Referee), Paul King (Umpire), Pat Garvey (Head Linesman), Mack Gilchrist (Line Judge), Greg Steed (Back Judge)
Radio: WBBL 1340 AM, Joe Parson & Tom Sullivan
TV: Empire Sports Network (Buffalo)
Series Record: Grand Rapids leads 2-0
Last Meeting: Grand Rapids 44, BUFFALO 40 (7/20/01)
Coaches: Grand Rapids Rampage, Michael Trigg (57-54 overall, 9th Year). Buffalo Destroyers, Ray Bentley (14-15 overall, 3rd Year).

THE STAKES: Both of these teams currently sit in a three-way tie atop their respective division. A victory for either club guarantees the winner will remain at least tied for the division lead.

THE SERIES: The Rampage and Destroyers have met twice with both games being played in Buffalo. In 1999, Buffalo's inaugural season, Grand Rapids squeaked by the Destroyers 40-38. Last season, the Rampage staged the franchise's biggest comeback to clinch the top seed in the AFL playoffs, defeating Buffalo 44-40.

THE IFs:

If Grand Rapids defeats Buffalo, it would ...
· Give the Rampage a 3-0 series record with Buffalo
· Give the Rampage a 3-1 home record in 2002
· Give the Rampage a 4-2 overall record
· Give the Rampage a 3-0 non-conference record
· Give the Rampage a 1-0 record against the Eastern Division
· Give Michael Trigg a 58-54 record as a coach

HEAD COACHES: MICHAEL TRIGG, Grand Rapids Rampage (57-54, 8th Year): Michael Trigg enters his fifth season with the Rampage, boasting a history of achievement both on the sidelines and on the field. That history reached new heights on August 19, 2001 when the AFL's smallest market team won ArenaBowl XV in front of a sold-out Van Andel Arena and a national television audience on ABC. Last season, Trigg not only guided the Rampage to the team's third consecutive playoff berth and first championship, but he also led the team to a league-best 11-3 record. For his efforts last season, Trigg was named the 2001 AFL Coach of the Year. He is just the sixth coach in AFL history to reach the 50-win plateau and now ranks as the fifth winningest coach in AFL history.

RAY BENTLEY, Buffalo Destroyers (14-15, 3rd Year): Ray Bentley, a Grand Rapids native, enters his second full season as the head coach of the Buffalo Destroyers. He also serves as the team's vice president and general manager. Bentley led the Destroyers to a fast 6-3 start last year, only to see them falter late in the season and narrowly miss the playoffs. The former Hudsonville High School standout went on to earn All-MAC honors while at Central Michigan University. His 10-year pro football career began in 1983 with the Michigan Panthers where he was part of the inaugural USFL Championship team. Bentley joined the Buffalo Bills in 1986 and stayed with the team through the 1991 season, playing in two Super Bowls.

RAMPAGE LAST WEEK: Steve Smith earned MVP honors for the second consecutive week by catching a career-high five touchdowns as the Rampage won its second straight game with a 64-45 victory over the Carolina Cobras. Smith finished the night with a game-high 11 catches and 134 yards. His five TDs tied a franchise record held by Terrill Shaw and Thomas Bailey. Clint Dolezel completed 21 of 34 passes for 252 yards and six touchdowns. He also threw one interception. The Rampage also got another Ironman performance from Travis McDonald, who ran for a 30-yard TD, recovered two on-side kicks and added a sack on defense. With the victory, Grand Rapids improved to 3-2 and remained in a three-way tie for first place in the Central Division.

RAMPAGE NEXT WEEK: Grand Rapids heads west to Arizona for the first of a two-game road swing on Friday, May 31. It will be only the second meeting between these two teams, and the first at America West Arena. The Rampage will be looking to even the series with the Rattlers at a game apiece. Arizona defeated Grand Rapids in their only meeting, 69-27, at Van Andel Arena on July 2, 1998.

2001 REVIEW:

· In just their fourth Arena Football League season, the Grand Rapids Rampage won their first ArenaBowl championship, defeating the Nashville Kats 64-42 in front of an overflow crowd at Van Andel Arena and a national television audience on ABC.

· The Rampage's finished the regular season with a league best 11-3 record, winning their first Central Division title.

· The Rampage began the season with records of 5-0 and 7-1, marking the best starts in franchise history. In addition, the team's five consecutive wins to start the season set a record for the longest winning streak in franchise history.

· QB Clint Dolezel enjoyed the most prolific season ever for a Rampage hurler, breaking his own AFL record with 574 attempts while establishing team marks for touchdown passes (80), passing yards (3,952) and completions (364). The 80-TD threshold has been eclipsed just seven times in AFL history, and Dolezel became the only man to do it three times (81 in 1998, 80 in 2001 and 1999).

· Two Rampage players added their names to the AFL's all-time greats. In a 41-38 win vs. Carolina on May 11, WR/LB Michael Baker became the fifth player in league history to accumulate 5,000 receiving and 5,000 return yards for his career. Then, in a 79-58 win vs. Chicago on July 7, QB Clint Dolezel became just the seventh player in AFL history to record 300 passing touchdowns and the tenth player to record 2,000 passing attempts.

· Five members of the Rampage were honored by the AFL. After leading the Rampage to the league's best regular season record, coach Michael Trigg was chosen as the AFL's Coach of the Year. In addition to Trigg, K Brian Gowins was named AFL Kicker of the Year and DS JoJo Polk was presented with the league's Most Inspirational Award, following his miraculous recovery from a broken neck. QB Clint Dolezel, WR/LB Michael Baker, and Gowins are also named to the All-Arena Second Team. Polk was also named to the All-Rookie Team.

LAST MEETING: Grand Rapids 44, BUFFALO 40 (7/20/01) – The Rampage staged the biggest comeback in franchise history and claimed the top seed in the AFL playoffs with a 44-40 victory over the Destroyers at HSBC Arena. Down 10 points at the half, 16 early in the third quarter and 10 entering the fourth, the Rampage responded in a manner befitting the league's best team. The defense held the Destroyers without points in their final three drives, while the offense scored the last 17 points of the game. The nine points allowed by Grand Rapids in the second half set a franchise record. Clint Dolezel completed 22 of 38 for 234 yards and five touchdowns, earning game MVP honors. After getting touchdown receptions by Terrill Shaw on each of their first three possessions in a 21-21 game, the Rampage offense struggled the remainder of the first half. Dolezel, who had thrown just eight interceptions all season, was picked off on consecutive drives during the second quarter. Keven Jackson grabbed a lob intended for Shaw in the endzone on a fourth-and-one play deep in Buffalo territory, and Prentice Taylor made a diving interception at the Destroyers' two yard line on Grand Rapids' next possession. In between, Buffalo took its first lead on a one-yard run by Willie Latta. After the second interception, the Destroyers went up 31-21 on a 17-yard field goal by Brett Gorden with just 15 seconds left in the half. Grand Rapids did have a chance to counter before time ran out, but Brian Gowins' attempt from 45 yards was wide right, ending his team-record field goal streak at nine. An 11-yard strike to Carlos James early in the second half extended Buffalo's advantage to 37-21, following a missed extra point. On the Rampage's ensuing drive, Dolezel hit Demo Odems for a 41-yard bomb, Grand Rapids' longest scoring play from scrimmage this season. GR failed to convert a two-point attempt, and field goals of 34 yards by Gorden and 25 yards by Gowins made it a 40-30 game after three quarters. The Rampage defense helped pull Grand Rapids into the lead by denying Buffalo on its next three drives. JoJo Polk intercepted Jim Kubiak and returned the ball to the one-yard line, from where Chris Avery plunged into the endzone to cut the deficit to 40-37. With nine minutes remaining, the defense rose up to stop a fourth-and-10 play from its own 17 yard line, and the offense drove 33 yards to score with 5:11 remaining on a two-yard pass to Shaw, his fourth TD of the game. Buffalo had one last chance to save its season, but Kubiak's pass into the endzone on fourth-and-four from the GR 7 fell incomplete, and the Rampage ran out the clock.

PRESEASON HISTORY: Grand Rapids 48, BUFFALO 51 (4/11/02) - Despite a valiant come from behind effort, the Rampage concluded the 2002 preseason with a 51-48 loss to the Buffalo Destroyers at HSBC Arena. Buffalo's offense, led by quarterback Fred McNair and Lamont Cooper, scored on every possession but two. McNair, who played the whole first half, finished 10 of 12 for 191 yards and four touchdowns, while Cooper earned Game MVP honors by catching three passes for 77 yards and two touchdowns. Clint Dolezel, who played the whole second half, finished 13 of 18 for 104 yards and three touchdowns. In his first game since returning from the NFL, Terrill Shaw caught seven passes for 79 yards and three touchdowns. Ricky Ross added seven catches for a touchdown and one rushing TD.

SERIES NOTABLES: Rampage QB Clint Dolezel completed 22 of 38 passes for 234 yards, five TDs, and two interceptions on his way to being named Game MVP in last year's comeback victory...WR/LB Michael Baker, who will miss Saturday's game with an ankle injury, has six catches for 47 yards in two victories over Buffalo...He also added nine tackles in the two contests...OS Terrill Shaw caught eight passes for 91 yards and four TDs in his first game against his old team last season...Buffalo WR/LB Eddie Brown has nine catches for 88 yards and two TDs in the two-game series.

FAMILIAR FACES: There will be plenty of familiar faces for both sides when these two teams meet on Saturday. Combining the two rosters, a total of 8 players have suited up in both a Rampage and Destroyers uniform. Current Rampage players who have played/signed with the Destroyers: Terrill Shaw (2000), Kenyatte Morgan (2001), Steve Smith (2001). Current Buffalo players who have played/signed with Grand Rapids: Thomas Bailey (1998-2000), Juan Long (1999), David Caldwell (1998) and Sam Mavrick (2001). Bailey, who was released from Grand Rapids before the start of the 2000 season, still ranks as the Rampage's all-time leader in scoring (432) and touchdowns (71). He also ranks second all-time in receptions (289) and receiving yards (3,359). In 1999, Bailey teamed with Rampage WR/LB Michael Baker to become the first receiving duo in AFL history to catch 100 plus passes...Buffalo practice squad lineman Jeremy Johnson spent last season with the Wichita Stealth (af2), which like the Rampage is owned and managed by DP Fox Sports & Entertainment.

MILESTONES:

· Rampage QB Clint Dolezel recently moved up the AFL all-time charts in completions and passing yards. Dolezel passed Mike Perez for sixth place in completions (1,468) and Mike Pawlawski for eighth place in passing yards (17,289). He will also move past Pawlawski in career passing touchdowns with his next TD toss.

TEAM NOTES:

The Return of Ray Bentley: Grand Rapids native and current Buffalo head coach Ray Bentley returns to West Michigan for the first time as a coach. He has been on the opposite sidelines three other times against the Rampage, but never at Van Andel Arena. The former Hudsonville High School standout went on to earn All-MAC honors while at Central Michigan University. His 10-year pro football career began in 1983 with the Michigan Panthers where he was part of the inaugural USFL Championship team. Bentley joined the Buffalo Bills in 1986 and stayed with the team through the 1991 season, playing in two Super Bowls.

Three-Way Division Race: Through five games this season, no one wants to run away with the Central Division. In fact, thanks to this year's parity, no team in any division wants to ride in the driver's seat with the exception of the undefeated San Jose Sabercats. At 3-2, Chicago, Grand Rapids and Indiana all sit atop the division. Only Detroit, who sits in the division cellar at 1-4, hasn't proven that they could make a run for the division crown.

Similarities: Both Grand Rapids and Buffalo are 3-2, have two game winning streaks and currently sit in a three-way tie for their division lead.

National Conference Dominance: Dating back to last season, the Rampage are 6-1 against National Conference opponents, which includes last week's 64-45 win over Carolina. Their only loss came at the hands of the Tampa Bay Storm at home on Memorial Day weekend.

Scoring At Will: Grand Rapids' 56.8 points per game is second only to San Jose's 65.4. The only problem is that the Rampage defense is giving up a whopping 53 points per game. In last week's victory, the defense took strides toward improving as they allowed only 45 points.

Pass Happy: During the team's two-game winning streak, the Rampage's pass attack has taken their level of play to another level. Grand Rapids currently leads the league in pass offense with 283.4 yards per game.

Run Stoppers: After last week's 64-yard ground performance, Grand Rapids' rush offense has moved up the league's rankings. At 24.6 yards per, the Rampage rank sixth overall. Awaiting them on the other side of the ball is a Buffalo defense that ranks third against the run. In five games this season, the Destroyers are only allowing 10.8 yards per contest.

Achilles' Heel: The one area of play that has been a thorn in the Rampage's side has been turnovers. Grand Rapids, owners of a second worst turnover margin of -5, has turned the ball over 12 times, while only gaining seven.

RAMPAGE PLAYERS TO WATCH:

QB Clint Dolezel: After breaking almost every single-season and game record last season, Clint Dolezel has gotten off to a slow start this season. But never fear as the former East Texas State standout looks to be getting his mojo back. Last week against Carolina, Dolezel threw for 252 yards and six TDs, while completing 62% (21 of 34) of his passes. He currently ranks in the top five of every league passing category.

OS Steve Smith: In the last three weeks, Steve Smith has gone from relatively unknown to leading the league in receptions. The former Destroyer has taken the league by storm, catching 43 balls for 476 yards and 13 TDs. Last week against Carolina, Smith garnered Game MVP honors for the second consecutive week by catching 11 passes for 134 yards and five touchdowns.

OS Terrill Shaw: Another former Buffalo castaway that has had some success since moving on is Terrill Shaw. The former ArenaBowl MVP sat out most of last week's game with a foot injury, but he can still be found among the league's leading receivers. Through five games this season, Shaw has 25 catches for 330 yards and eight TDs.

WR/DB Willis Marshall: Willis Marshall has established himself as one of the Rampage's most versatile athletes. The second-year player out of Youngstown State currently ranks second on the team in catches (34) and receiving yards (363). He also leads the team in kickoff returns (16) and return yardage (306), which includes a 54-yard return for a touchdown vs. Orlando (5/11).

FB/LB Travis McDonald: Besides Steve Smith, Travis McDonald has been one of Grand Rapids' biggest off-season acquisitions. With Michael Baker out with an ankle injury, the fifth-year player from Missouri has taken over the Rampage's "Ironman" moniker. The past two weeks, McDonald had scored an offensive touchdown and added a sack on his way to consecutive Ironman honors. He currently is tied for the team lead in rushing TDs with three and is second in rushing yards with 51. McDonald has also added two sacks and 7.5 tackles on defense.

DESTROYERS PLAYERS TO WATCH:

OS Lamont Cooper: Regarded as one of, if not the, most electrifying players in the AFL, Lamont Cooper now dons the blue and silver of Buffalo after the Oklahoma Wranglers were contracted during the off-season. Other than missing a game due to a bleeding ulcer, Cooper has picked right up where he left off last season. In his first game back last week, the 5-foot-7 dynamo caught five passes for 104 yards and the game-winning touchdown. He also added three kick returns for 95 yards and a 54-yard TD. Not bad for a guy who was bleeding internally less than a week before.

QB Fred McNair: Traded from Carolina during the off-season, Fred McNair was brought to Buffalo to add stability to the quarterback position. Thus far, the nine-year AFL veteran has done just that. He has led his team to a 3-2 record and a share of first place in the Eastern Division. In five games this season, McNair, the brother of Tennessee Titans QB Steve McNair, has thrown for 1,248 yards and 22 TDs, while completing 62.3% (94 of 151) of his passes.

DS Corey Johnson: Another off-season pick-up that has paid dividends for the Destroyers has been Corey Johnson. The former AFL All-Rookie Team selection leads the team in tackles (31), pass break-ups (7) and interceptions (7). Not that he will ever get an opportunity with Lamont Cooper on the team, but Johnson also has the ability to return kicks. While playing for Carolina last season, Johnson returned 49 kicks for 1,213 yards and five TDs. BUILT FORD TOUGH AWARD (selected by coaches) The Built Ford Tough Award is a national recognition award given after every game to the player or players on each team best demonstrating determination and toughness in that game. The award honors the players who made a game-saving tackle or score-saving tackle, threw a key block on the big play or exhibited physical sacrifice or consistent tough blocking and tackling on both sides of the ball. The honored players receive a helmet sticker that recognizes the Built Ford Tough Player of the Game.

Week Opp. Player
1 DET Michael Baker, Travis McDonald, Willis Marshall, Chris Ryan, Lucas Yarnell
2 IND Willis Marshall, Chris Ryan, Travis McDonald, Israel Raybon, Lucas Yarnell
3 CHI Demetrius Crowder
4 ORL Travis McDonald, Israel Raybon, Chris Ryan, Terrill Shaw, Rickie Simpkins
5 CAR Curtis Ceaser, Travis McDonald, Israel Raybon, Chris Ryan, Jason Waters

GAME MVP AWARD (selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 DET Terrill Shaw (G.R.)
2 IND Eddie Brown (Ind.)
3 CHI Billy Dicken & Antonio Chatman (Chi.)
4 ORL Steve Smith (G.R.)
5 CAR Steve Smith (G.R.)

GAME IRONMAN AWARD (selected by media)
Week Opp. Player
1 DET Willis Marshall (G.R.)
2 IND Jay Jones (Ind.)
3 CHI Dameon Porter (Chi.)
4 ORL Travis McDonald (G.R.)
5 CAR Travis McDonald (G.R.)

RECENT ROSTER MOVES:

Date Action Player
5/16 Signed from Practice Squad WR/DB Demont Smith
5/15 Signed to Practice Squad WR/DB Terrance Foster

RAMPAGE INJURY REPORT:

Pos. Name Injury Status
WR/LB Michael Baker Ankle Out
OL/DL Rod Manuel Toe Probable
WR/LB Ricky Ross Knee Questionable
OS Terrill Shaw Foot Probable
OL/DL Rickie Simpkins Knee Questionable

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

Head Coach Michael Trigg: "I thought we played a pretty good game overall. In the third-quarter we had a classic Rampage low and allowed [Carolina] to sneak back into the game, but we came up with the big plays we needed to stay two scores ahead."

On this week's match-up with Buffalo: "We are excited to play them. I think they are a much better team than last year, but winning at home is the important thing right now. We finish the season up on the road and we need to capitalize on our opportunities [at home] now."

OL/DL Corey Mayfield: on the defensive effort against Carolina, "It was a great win for this team. We put them in tough positions on third-down and they were struggling trying to convert. Our defensive backs just played a fantastic game and up front we really had solid pressure."

On the upcoming week of preparation for Buffalo, "We are not worried about Buffalo, we are worried about the Grand Rapids Rampage. Our focus is going to be on the mistakes we have made, getting better, and progressing through the week."

QB Clint Dolezel: on the importance of having a complete team effort each week, "As the defense goes, we go. Our offense is going to put points on the board and if our defense can step in and get a stop here and there it's going to be a long season for the other teams."

On the Destroyers, "I think Buffalo has definitely improved over last year because they went out and got some talent. [Lamont] Cooper is scary and real tough to stop, but we are just trying to get another win and keep creeping."

FB/LB Travis McDonald: on his franchise-record 30-yard run against Carolina, "I didn't see the hole at first. It just seemed once I found the hole everyone downfield made their blocks. They made it pretty easy for me because I never even really got touched."

"I think everything finally clicked. It just goes to show the talent we have and what we can do if we put it together week in and week out."

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 21, 2002


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