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Grand Rapids Rampage Game Notes

March 12, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Grand Rapids Rampage @ Dallas Desperados
Date: Sunday, March 16, 2003.
Kickoff: 4 p.m. (EST).
Site: Reunion Arena (16,441).
Officials: William LeMonnier (Referee), Dan Ferrell (Umpire), Allen Baynes (Head Linesman), Dana McKenzie (Line Judge), Billy Beckett (Back Judge).
Radio: WBBL 1340 AM, Joe Parson & Tom Sullivan. Coverage begins at 3:40 p.m. (EST).
TV: UPN 21 (Ch. 21 in Dallas-Ft. Worth).
Series Record: This will be the first meeting between these two teams.
Coaches: Grand Rapids, Michael Trigg (69-66 overall, 10th season). Dallas, Joe Avezzano (12-10, 2nd season).

THE STAKES: Although it's early in the season, the stakes don't get much higher than this Central Division showdown. The winner takes over sole possession of the division lead and remains among the elite with a 5-2 record, while the loser drops to the middle of the AFL pack at 4-3. This game is especially important for the Rampage as two of the team's next three games are on the road.

THE IFs:

If Grand Rapids defeats Dallas it would...
· Give the Rampage a 1-0 all-time series record with the Desperados.
· Give the Rampage a 3-1 road record in 2003.
· Give the Rampage a 20-19 all-time road record.
· Give the Rampage a 5-2 overall record in 2003.
· Give the Rampage a 2-0 record against the American Conference in 2003.
· Give the Rampage a 1-0 record against the Central Division.
· Give Michael Trigg his 70th career victory.

HEAD COACHES:

MICHAEL TRIGG, Grand Rapids Rampage (69-66, 10th Season): Trigg, the only coach in Rampage team history, is in his sixth season with the Rampage and tenth overall as a head coach in the AFL. Last season, Trigg led the Rampage to an 8-6 regular season mark and a fourth consecutive playoff berth. He also became just the fifth AFL coach to reach the 60-win plateau, making him the fifth winningest coach in AFL history. Trigg's history of achievement 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. For his efforts, Trigg was named the 2001 AFL Coach of the Year.

Joe Avezzano, Dallas Desperados (12-10, 2nd Season): In his first professional head coaching job, Avezzano led the Desperados to an 8-8 record in 2002, including a trip to the quarterfinal round of the playoffs. Avezzano spent his first AFL season in a dual capacity, serving as the Desperados head coach while continuing as the Dallas Cowboys special teams coach. It is with the Cowboys that Avezzano established himself in the professional coaching ranks. He is considered perhaps the most successful special teams coach in the NFL over the past 13 years. For his efforts, Avezzano has been voted the NFL's Special Teams Coach of the Year three times (1991, 93, 98).

RAMPAGE LAST WEEK: Georgia 70, GRAND RAPIDS 54 (3-9-03) – The Force handed Grand Rapids its first road loss of the season thanks to three second half Rampage turnovers.

Grand Rapids only trailed by one point at the half, but Georgia took advantage of the costly turnovers to register the most points in franchise history. The Force were led by quarterback Donnie Davis, who finished the game 19-of-24 for 286 yards and four TDs. Force OS Markeith Cooper earned game MVP honors for his three TD performance (2 receiving, 1 kickoff return), while FB/LB Dan Curran, who rushed for a franchise-high three TDs, was named the game's Ironman.

In defeat, Clint Dolezel completed 22-of-36 passes for 284 yards and seven touchdowns. He also was picked off twice and fumbled once. Terrill Shaw led the Rampage charge with nine catches for 162 yards and five touchdowns, which tied a franchise record. Steve Smith contributed nine catches for 87 yards, two touchdowns and a kickoff return for a touchdown. RAMPAGE NEXT WEEK: Grand Rapids finishes up a three-game road swing against the Los Angeles Avengers next Sunday at 3 p.m. The trip marks the Rampage's first trek to "Tinsel Town."

2002 MILESTONES:

· Grand Rapids sets a new team record for regular season attendance with 69,341 total fans attending games during the 2002 season, which includes a team record three sellouts.

· Rampage coach Michael Trigg recorded career regular season victory number 60 against the Georgia Force (6/23). Only four other coaches (John Gregory, Tim Marcum, Perry Moss and Danny White) have reached the 60-win plateau.

· Rampage QB Clint Dolezel moved past Mike Perez for fifth place on the AFL's all-time charts in passing yards (19,995) and sixth place in pass attempts (2,609). In addition, Dolezel also passed John Kaleo for fifth place in completions (1,698) and former teammate Todd Hammel for fourth place in career passing touchdowns (393).

· Dolezel became the first quarterback in AFL history to throw for 70 or more TDs in four different seasons.

· Rampage FB/LB Chris Ryan broke his own team single-season rushing marks in yards (133) and touchdowns (12). He also broke Basil Proctor's four-year old attempts record (49).

· Rampage FB/LB Travis McDonald broke the Rampage's single-season sack record with his 2.5 sack performance against the New York Dragons (7/13). McDonald, who finished with 5.5 sacks on season, moved past Corey Mayfield and Buster Stanley (4.5).

2003 MILESTONES:

· QB Clint Dolezel became just the fourth quarterback in AFL history to amass 400 career passing TDs (2/7 @ Colorado).

· Dolezel also moved past Fred McNair for fifth place on the AFL's career list in passing attempts and became just the fifth quarterback in AFL history to amass 20,000 career passing yards (2/1 @ Buffalo).

· K Brian Gowins moved past Michael Baker for second place on the Rampage's all-time scoring list (2/1 @ Buffalo).

· Gowins also moved past Remy Hamilton (current LA Avengers' kicker) to become the Rampage's all-time leader in FG attempts (2/16 vs. NY).

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

· Coach Michael Trigg is just one win away from his 70th career victory. Only four other coaches (John Gregory, Tim Marcum, Perry Moss and Danny White) have reached the 70-win plateau.

· Kicker Brian Gowins is just nine points away from becoming the team's all-time leading scorer.

FAMILIAR FACES:

· Rampage DS Lamar Grant spent the 2002 season with the Desperados, leading the team in tackles (53.5) and pass breakups (11).

· Rampage DS DeAuntae Brown, the Desperados' first pick of the 2003 Dispersal Draft, began the season with Dallas, but was released prior to the regular season.

· Desperados backup QB John Fitzgerald participated in back-to-back Rampage training camps (2000-01).

· Desperados OS Shannon Culver played in three games with the Rampage during the 1998 season, the team's inaugural year.

· Desperados OL/DL Patrick Scott played in 19 games with the Rampage during the 1999 and 2000 seasons.

· Desperados OL/DL Tom Briggs and OL/DL Tim Martin and Rampage FB/LB Travis McDonald were teammates with the Oklahoma Wranglers in 2001. In addition, Desperados line coach Jon Norris served as assistant head coach of the Wranglers that season.

· Briggs and McDonald were also teammates with the Portland Forest Dragons from 1997-99.

· Briggs and Rampage DS Cecil Doggette were teammates at West Virginia University.

· Desperados QB Jim Kubiak and Rampage OS Steve Smith were briefly teammates with the Buffalo Destroyers at the end of the 2001 season.

· Desperados defensive coordinator Will McClay spent two seasons (1997-98) as an assistant coach with the Rampage.

TEXAS TIES: In the team's first trip to Big-D, Grand Rapids will have plenty of fans in the stands as five players and two coaches are from the state of Texas and a total of 14 players and coaches have Texas ties.

Players from Texas (Texas college attended in parentheses):

· Clint Dolezel (QB) – Robinson, TX (East Texas State)
· Rod Manuel (OL/DL) – Fort Worth, TX
· Corey Mayfield (OL/DL) – Tyler, TX
· Umar Muhammad (FB/LB) – Fort Worth, TX (North Texas)
· Joe Wylie (OL/DL) – San Antonio, TX (Stephen F. Austin)

Coaches from Texas (Texas college attended in parentheses):

· Terry Gray (Line Coach) – Houston, TX (Baylor)...Played two seasons with the Houston Oilers (1991-92).

· Michael Trigg (Head Coach) – San Antonio, TX (East Texas State)...Began his AFL coaching career as an offensive coordinator for the Dallas Texans in 1991...Three seasons later (1994), at the age of 28, Trigg was named head coach and general manager of the expansion Fort Worth Cavalry.

Coach and players that have Texas ties:

· Chris Avery (FB/LB) – Attended training camp with the Dallas Cowboys in 2000.

· DeAuntae Brown (DS) – Began the 2003 season with the Desperados.

· Cecil Doggette (DS) – Attended training camp with the Cowboys in 1996.

· Jason Gamble (OL/DL) – Participated in consecutive training camps with the Cowboys (2001-02).

· Lamar Grant (DS) – Played for the Desperados in 2002.

· Damon Hodge (WR/LB) – Played in nine games for the Cowboys in 2000, recording four catches for 60 yards.

· Robert Smith (Assistant Head Coach) – The former defensive lineman spent the 1987 season with the Cowboys.

CONSECUTIVE GAME STREAKS:

· QB Clint Dolezel has thrown at least one TD pass in every game played in a Rampage uniform (34 regular season games). He has also thrown seven TDs in the Rampage's past three games.

· K Brian Gowins has not attempted a FG in the Rampage's last three games. His last attempt was the game-winning FG against New York (2/16).

· WR/DB Willis Marshall has caught at least one pass in every game played in a Rampage uniform (27 regular season games).

· OS/WR/DB Terrill Shaw has caught at least two TDs in the Rampage's last five games.

· OS/WR/LB Steve Smith has returned a kickoff for a TD in the Rampage's last two games. Smith has also caught two TDs in the last two games.

TEAM NOTES:

Even Matchup: Strictly by the numbers, the first meeting between these two teams should be an even matchup as both teams are giving up the same 52.7 points per game. To make things even most interesting, the Rampage and Desperados' scoring output has been nearly identical as well. Grand Rapids is scoring a league second-best 59.2 points per game, while Dallas is ranked seventh in the league in scoring at 56.3 points per.

Longest Home Stand, Longest Road Trip: After wrapping up three consecutive home games, the team's longest home stand in franchise history, the Rampage have embarked on a three-game road swing, the team's longest road trip in franchise history.

Road Warriors: Grand Rapids boasts an impressive 19-19 all-time road record, which includes the team's 2-1 road start this season.

Division Breakdown: Although Grand Rapids dropped its first road game last week, the team remained atop the Central Division with this week's opponent, the Dallas Desperados.

Many More Happy Returns: In 15 total games last season, the Rampage only managed three returns (kickoff, missed FG, fumble or interception) for touchdowns. Already this season, Ricky Ross has returned a missed field goal (2/1 @ Buffalo), a fumble (2/7 @ Colorado) and two kickoffs (2/16 vs. New York) for scores. Chris Ryan returned a Colorado Crush (2/16) fumble for the first defensive TD of his career and Steve Smith has returned kickoff returns for scores the past two weeks.

Rookie Crop: Since the team's inception, the Rampage have had at least one rookie make the AFL's All-Rookie Team. This year's crop features WR/LB Damon Hodge and linemen Jason Gamble and Albert Reese. All three players have NFL experience and have shown the ability to be successful indoors.

RAMPAGE PLAYERS TO WATCH:

QB Clint Dolezel: Arguably one of the best quarterbacks in the AFL, Dolezel has helped lead the Rampage to its 4-2 record. In six games this season, the former East Texas State star has completed 135-of-206 passes for 1,568 yards and 36 TDs. Recently, Dolezel continued his attack on the AFL record book by becoming just the fourth AFL quarterback to amass 400 career TD passes.

OS/WR/DB Terrill Shaw: Shaw looks as if he has regained the magic that earned him ArenaBowl XV MVP honors. Through six games this season, Shaw leads the Rampage with 41 catches for 601 yards and 18 TDs. Shaw, who has caught at least two TDs in the last five Rampage games, continued his hot streak last week as he recorded a game-high nine catches for 162 yards and five TDs, which tied a franchise record.

OS/WR/LB Steve Smith: Smith, who caught a team-high 26 TDs in 2002, has picked up where he left off last season, recording 39 grabs for 428 yards and 12 TDs in six games. In addition, the 2002 Rampage MVP has added kickoff returns to his arsenal this season. The past two weeks, Smith has returned two kickoffs for TDs (55 & 57).



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 12, 2003


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