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Grand Rapids Rampage Game Notes

March 18, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Grand Rapids Rampage @ Los Angeles Avengers
Date: Sunday, March 23, 2003.
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. (EST).
Site: STAPLES Center (16,096).
Officials: Tom McCabe (Referee), Thomas Laverty (Umpire), Brent Durbin (Head Linesman), Bob McElwee (Line Judge), James Anderson (Back Judge).
Radio: WBBL 1340 AM, Joe Parson & Tom Sullivan.
Coverage begins at 2:40 p.m. (EST).
TV: Fox Sports Net (Los Angeles).
Series Record: Tied, 1-1.
Coaches: Grand Rapids, Michael Trigg (70-66 overall, 10th season). Los Angeles, Ed Hodgkiss (13-9, 2nd season).

THE STAKES: This non-divisional matchup marks the halfway point of the 2003 AFL season, so playoff jockeying begins now. The winner improves to 6-2 on the season and remains atop their respective division, while the loser falls to 5-3 and either moves into a tie for the division lead or drops into second place, as in the case of Los Angeles.

THE IFs:

If Grand Rapids defeats Los Angeles it would...
· Give the Rampage a 2-1 all-time series record with the Avengers.
· Give the Rampage a 4-1 road record in 2003.
· Give the Rampage a 21-19 all-time road record.
· Give the Rampage a 6-2 overall record in 2003.
· Give the Rampage a 3-0 record against the American Conference in 2003.
· Give the Rampage a 2-0 record against the Western Division.

HEAD COACHES:

MICHAEL TRIGG, Grand Rapids Rampage (70-66, 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.

Ed Hodgkiss, Los Angeles Avengers (13-9, 2nd Season): Hodgkiss led the Avengers to a franchise-best 8-6 record and No. 5 seed in the AFL playoffs in his first year with the club. He became the head coach of the Avengers on Oct. 5, 2001, but signed a five-year contract extension shortly after the 2002 season. Not only did Hodgkiss lead the Avengers into postseason for the first time in franchise history, he also instantly established the Avenger offense as one of the most feared in the AFL. The Avengers finished the 2002 season No. 2 in passing efficiency, No. 4 in total offense, No. 4 in rushing yards and No. 5 in scoring. Prior to joining the Avengers, Hodgkiss had been with the Indiana Firebirds since 1997. He was the team's offensive coordinator for three seasons (1999-2001). In each of those campaigns, Hodgkiss proved to be the architect of one of the AFL's most prolific offenses, ranking among the league leaders in most statistical categories.

RAMPAGE LAST WEEK: Grand Rapids 45, DALLAS 42 (3-16-03) – The Rampage used a fourth quarter comeback to earn their third road victory of the season, defeating the Dallas Desperados, 45-42, on Sunday afternoon.

A crowd of 14,340 fans at Reunion Arena witnessed Brian Gowins become the Rampage's all-time leading scorer (passing Thomas Bailey) with his third game-winning field goal of the season. But Gowins' 42-yard field goal wasn't the only play that sealed the team's fifth victory of the season. Grand Rapids 17 unanswered fourth quarter points, which includes Shea Showers' end zone interception of Desperados' quarterback Jim Kubiak with only 28 seconds remaining in the game, completely sealed the victory for the Rampage.

In addition to improving to 5-2 on the season and taking a one game lead in the Central Division, the victory also gave Rampage head coach Michael Trigg his 70th career win. Only four other coaches (John Gregory, Tim Marcum, Perry Moss and Danny White) have reached the 70-win plateau.

Clint Dolezel led the way for the Rampage, completing 22-of-31 passes for 241 yards and five touchdowns. Willis Marshall earned game MVP honors by catching a career-high and game-high 11 passes for 98 yards and three touchdowns. Chris Avery, who set new Rampage records for longest touchdown run (40) and rushing yards (71), was named the game's Ironman.

RAMPAGE NEXT WEEK: Grand Rapids returns to the friendly confines of Van Andel Arena to face the Chicago Rush next Saturday. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m., and can be seen live in West Michigan on WXSP.

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:

· Coach Michael Trigg became just the fifth AFL coach (John Gregory, Tim Marcum, Perry Moss and Danny White) to amass 70 career victories (3/16 @ Dallas).

· K Brian Gowins moved past Thomas Bailey to become the Rampage's all-time scoring leader (3/16 @ Dallas).

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

· 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).

LAST MEETING: Los Angeles 68, GRAND RAPIDS 61 (3-16-03) - Tony Graziani threw for six touchdowns and ran for another as the Avengers handed the Rampage their second straight loss, 68-61, in front of a sold-out (10,454) crowd at Van Andel Arena.

Graziani, who completed 20-of-31 passes for 288 yards, found the game's MVP Greg Hopkins 13 times for 162 yards and five touchdowns. Ironman of the Game Chad Dukes added a rushing touchdown and a kickoff return touchdown for the Avengers, who won for the first time in 2002 when allowing 60 points or more.

Clint Dolezel completed 28-of-40 passes for 299 yards and a franchise record nine touchdowns in the loss. Gary Compton had 12 catches for 121 yards and three touchdowns, while Steve Smith added six catches for 78 yards for three touchdowns.

SERIES NOTABLES:

· Clint Dolezel (GR): Completed 28-of-40 passes for 299 yards and a franchise-high nine TDs in his only contest against the Avengers (6/15/02).

· Steve Smith (GR): Caught six passes for 78 yards and three TDs in his only game against LA.

· Tony Graziani (LA): Completed 20-of-31 passes for 288 yards and six TDs in the team's 68-61 shootout victory over Grand Rapids last season. He also added a rushing TD.

· Greg Hopkins (LA): Named game MVP in his only contest against the Rampage in an Avenger uniform. Recorded a game-high 13 catches for 162 yards and five TDs. He also recorded three tackles on defense.

FAMILIAR FACES:

· Former University of Michigan and current Avengers kicker Remy Hamilton played for the Rampage during the team's first two seasons (1998-99).

· Former Grand Valley State lineman and current Avengers FB/LB Kevin Clemens played in four games for the Rampage during the team's inaugural season (1998).

· Avengers OL/DL Carlos Fowler and Rampage QB Clint Dolezel were teammates with the Houston ThunderBears from 1998-99.

· Avengers WR/DB Kevin Ingram and Rampage OS Lamar Grant were teammates with the Indiana Firebirds in 2001.

· Rampage FB/LB Travis McDonald and Avengers OL/DL Chris Butterfield were teammates with the Portland Forest Dragons from 1997-99 and the Oklahoma Wranglers in 2000.

· Rampage QB Nick Browder and OS Terrill Shaw and Avengers OL/DL John DeWitt were all teammates with the Buffalo Destroyers in 2000.

CONSECUTIVE GAME STREAKS:

· QB Clint Dolezel has thrown at least one TD pass in every game played in a Rampage uniform (35 regular season games). He has also thrown seven TDs in the Rampage's past three games.

· Dolezel has also thrown at least five TDs in the Rampage's last six games.

· WR/DB Willis Marshall has caught at least one pass in every game played in a Rampage uniform (28 regular season games).

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

· K Brian Gowins has made eight consecutive extra points.

TEAM NOTES:

Battle of AFL Elite: Five teams currently have 5-2 records, and two of those, Grand Rapids and Los Angeles, will battle it out to stay among the league's elite. The similarities between the two teams goes beyond their records. Both teams rely heavily on offense and have used much improved defenses to pull out a few squeakers. When the two face off, Grand Rapids will attack the ninth ranked scoring defense (50.9 per) with the No. 2 scoring offense (57.1), while the Avengers will bring their fifth ranked scoring offense (55.3 per) against a Rampage defense that held the Dallas Desperados to a season-low 42 points last week.

Onside Success: The Rampage's success this season can be attributed to many things. One of those is the team's 75% (3-of-4) recovery rate of onside kicks. Two of the three fourth quarter recoveries have helped lead the charge for Rampage come-from-behind wins at Colorado and Dallas.

Running Man: Primarily used as a defensive weapon in his first two seasons, Rampage FB/LB Chris Avery has filled in quite nicely for the injured Chris Ryan, the franchise's all-time leading rusher. Avery, who has already rushed for 119 yards in seven games this season, is on pace to shattered Ryan's single-season rushing record of 131 yards. Last week against Dallas, Avery set new Rampage records for longest TD run (40 yards) and rushing yards in a game (71).

Picks Become Plentiful Again: After recording a franchise-low six interceptions last season, coach Trigg vowed to change the Rampage secondary. Change he did. And so far, it has paid of as the Rampage have already recorded five picks through seven games. Leading the way is veteran defensive specialist Shea Showers, who has recorded two, including last Sunday's game-clinching interception of Desperados quarterback Jim Kubiak.

Michigan Connections: Los Angeles' roster features four players that played their college football in the stat of Michigan, including three from the University of Michigan (QB Scott Dreisbach, K Remy Hamilton, WR/DB Russell Shaw). Former Grand Valley State lineman and current Avengers FB/LB Kevin Clemens rounds out LA's Michigan ties.

Road Comes to an End: The Rampage finally wrap up their three-game road trip, the team's longest in franchise history, this weekend against the Avengers.

Road Warriors: Grand Rapids boasts an impressive 21-19 all-time road record, which includes the team's 3-1 road start this season.

Division Breakdown: After defeating the Dallas Desperados in a divisional showdown last week, the Rampage have sole possession of the Central Division lead for only the second time 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.

· Steve Smith has two kickoff returns for TDs (2/28 vs. Carolina, 3/9 @ Georgia).

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 5-2 record. In seven games this season, the former East Texas State star has completed 157-of-236 passes for 1,809 yards and 41 TDs. Dolezel currently ranks among the league leaders in attempts (4), completions (4), yards (6) and passing TDs (41).

OS/WR/DB Terrill Shaw: Shaw looks as if he has regained the magic that earned him ArenaBowl XV MVP honors. Through seven games this season, Shaw leads the Rampage in catches (45), receiving yards (675) and TDs (20). Shaw, who has caught at least two TDs in the last six Rampage games, currently ranks among the league leaders in scoring (4), receptions (T-9), receiving yards (7) and receiving TDs (4).

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 42 grabs for 454 yards and 12 TDs in seven games. In addition, the 2002 Rampage MVP has added kickoff returns to his arsenal this season. He has already returned two kickoffs for TDs (2/28 & 3/9).



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 18, 2003


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