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Grand Rapids Rampage Game Notes

April 1, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Grand Rapids Rampage @ Indiana Firebirds
Date: Saturday, April 5, 2003.
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (EST).
Site: Conseco Fieldhouse (16,060).
Officials: Wes Fritz (Referee), Thomas Laverty (Umpire), Rusty Spindel (Head Linesman), Art Lucky (Line Judge), Scott Helverson (Back Judge).
Radio: WBBL 1340 AM, Joe Parson & Tom Sullivan.
TV: None.
Regular Season Series Record: Tied, 2-2.
Overall Series Record: Tied, 3-3 (1-1 in playoffs).
Coaches: Grand Rapids, Michael Trigg (71-67 overall, 10th season). Indiana, Mike Dailey (61-41, 7th season).

THE STAKES: With only seven games to go in the 2003 AFL season, the stakes for every game go up for each of the league's 16 teams. Grand Rapids and Indiana are no exceptions. Grand Rapids needs a victory to stay atop the Central Division, and to keep pace in the hunt for home field advantage during the 2003 playoffs, while Indiana can improve their playoff positioning and get to within one game of the division lead with a win.

THE IFs:

If Grand Rapids defeats Indiana it would...
· Give the Rampage a 3-2 regular season series record with the Firebirds.
· Give the Rampage a 4-3 all-time series record with the Firebirds.
· Give the Rampage a 4-2 road record in 2003.
· Give the Rampage a 7-3 overall record in 2003.
· Give the Rampage a 4-1 record against the American Conference in 2003.
· Give the Rampage a 3-0 record against the Central Division in 2003.
· Give the Rampage a 21-20 all-time regular season road record.

HEAD COACHES:

MICHAEL TRIGG, Grand Rapids Rampage (71-67, 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.

MIKE DAILEY, Indiana Firebirds (61-41, 7th Season): Dailey is in his seventh season as the head coach of the Firebirds. Last season, Dailey led Indiana to a 7-7 record and a berth in the postseason for the fifth time in six seasons. Dailey is the Firebirds' all-time winningest coach, posting a 61-41 record (including playoffs) in six-plus seasons. In only his third season at the helm (1999), Dailey led the Firebirds to a franchise-best 14 wins and first-ever ArenaBowl championship. He joined the Firebirds prior to the 1992 season, spending five seasons as an assistant coach before being named head coach in 1997. Dailey began his Arena Football coaching career with the Washington Commandos as offensive/defensive line coach in 1991. RAMPAGE LAST WEEK: Chicago 34, GRAND RAPIDS 48 (3-29-03) – The Rampage are known for a potent offensive attack, but it was an impressive defensive performance that led to the team's 48-34 victory over the Chicago Rush (3-6) at Van Andel Arena.

The team's third sellout crowd (10,594) of the season witnessed the Rampage defense tie a team record for interceptions with its four picks of Rush quarterback Billy Dicken. Game co-MVP and Rampage newcomer Mark Ricks led all defenders with six tackles and two interceptions, becoming only the second player in Rampage history to record multiple interceptions in a game (Darius Hadley – 7/8/00). Cecil Doggette and Willis Marshall added the other interceptions. Marshall, who was named the game's Ironman, also contributed on offense with three catches for 47 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Clint Dolezel, the game's other co-MVP, completed 22-of-30 passes for a season-high 317 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. Terrill Shaw led all receivers with nine catches for 101 yards and three touchdowns.

RAMPAGE NEXT WEEK: The Rampage play host to the Las Vegas Gladiators, last season's Eastern Division champs, on Sunday, April 13 at 3 p.m. The game is scheduled to be the Rampage's second home game this season on NBC Sports.

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).

· FB/LB Chris Avery moved past Chris Ryan to become the Rampage's all-time single-season leader in rushing yards with 132 (3/29 vs. Chicago).

· 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).

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

· Rampage coach Michael Trigg needs two wins to pass John Gregory as the AFL's fourth all-time winningest coach.

· OS Terrill Shaw needs 17 points to move past Michael Baker for third place on the Rampage's all-time scoring list.

LAST MEETING: Grand Rapids 42, INDIANA 56 (6-29-02) – Eddie Brown caught five touchdown passes as the Firebirds swept the season series from the Rampage with a 56-42 win in front of 11,045 fans at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Brown, who was named the game's MVP, finished the night with nine catches for 164 yards. Raymond Philyaw completed 17-of-26 passes for 266 yards and six touchdowns, while backup quarterback Dameyune Craig completed 2-of-6 passes and ran for a score.

In defeat, Clint Dolezel completed 26-of-44 passes for 266 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions. Willis Marshall and Derin Graham led the Rampage with nine catches apiece, while Gary Compton added six catches for 87 yards and three touchdowns.

SERIES NOTABLES:

· Clint Dolezel (GR): Completed 120-of-172 passes for 1,183 yards, 24 TDs and six INTs in four regular season games against the Firebirds.

· Brian Gowins (GR): Connected on 3-of-4 field goals in four regular season games against the Firebirds (31,33,34).

· Willis Marshall (GR): Registered 17 catches for 177 yards and a score in two regular season games against Indiana.

· Terrill Shaw (GR): Recorded 16 catches for 202 yards and seven TDs in two games against Indiana.

· Eddie Brown (IND): Recorded 38 catches for 669 yards and 11 TDs in four regular season games against GR.

· Jay Jones (IND): Registered 14 catches for 152 yards and four TDs in four regular season games against the Rampage.

· Raymond Philyaw (IND): Completed 80-of-126 passes for 1,262 yards, 25 TDs and an interception in four regular season games against the Rampage.

FAMILIAR FACES:

· Rampage FB/LB Travis McDonald and Firebirds WR/LB Shawn Foreman were teammates with the Oklahoma Wranglers in 2001.

· Rampage OL/DL Eric Gohlstin and DS Shea Showers were teammates with Firebirds kicker Clay Rush for the last four seasons (Iowa Barnstormers 1999-2000 & New York Dragons 2001-02).

· Rampage WR/DB DeAuntae Brown and Firebirds DS Del Lee were teammates with the Toronto Phantoms last season.

· Rampage DS Lamar Grant played in 10 games for the Firebirds during the 2001 season, recording 35 tackles, 16 pass breakups and two interceptions.

· Rampage FB/LB Umar Muhammad spent the past three seasons with the Firebirds (2000-02), recording three rushing TDs on offense and 30.5 tackles and two sacks on defense.

CONSECUTIVE GAME STREAKS:

· QB Clint Dolezel has thrown at least one TD pass in every regular season game played in a Rampage uniform (37 regular season games).

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

· WR/DB Willis Marshall has caught at least one pass in every regular season game played in a Rampage uniform (30 regular season games).

· OS/WR/DB Terrill Shaw has caught at least one TD in the Rampage's last eight games.

TEAM NOTES:

Dynamite Duo: Through nine games this season, Grand Rapids' duo of Terrill Shaw and Steve Smith have combined to catch an impressive 113 passes for 1,424 yards and a league-leading 41 TDs. The speedy receivers could become the first Rampage duo to catch 100 passes apiece since the "Killer B's" (Thomas Bailey - 133 & Michael Baker - 102) did it during the 1999 season.

Terrific Trio: In addition to having one of the best receiving duos, the Rampage's trio of Shaw, Smith and Willis Marshall is arguably the league's best. The trio has combined to catch a league-leading 157 passes for 1,937 yards (4th in AFL) and 49 TDs (3rd in AFL).

Mr. Clutch: Rampage kicker Brian Gowins has a knack for kicking game-winning field goals that dates back to his college days at Northwestern. In his fourth year with Grand Rapids, Gowins has kicked a total of six game-winners, including three this season (Colorado, New York & Dallas).

Revenge Factor: During the team's 2001 championship run, Grand Rapids defeated Indiana three straight times, including a 83-70 semifinal victory in the playoffs. Last season, the Firebirds revenged their losses by winning both regular season contests against the Rampage, including a dominating 56-42 victory at Conseco Fieldhouse on June 29.

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 passed Ryan as the team's all-time single-season rushing leader, leads the league with a 6.3 yards per rush average and ranks second in the league in rushing yards (132). Against Dallas three weeks ago, 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 nine picks through nine games. Leading the way with two picks apiece are veteran defensive specialists Cecil Doggette, Mark Ricks and Shea Showers.

On the Road Again: Saturday's contest at Indiana will mark the Rampage's sixth road game in the team's first 10 games. The good news is that Grand Rapids boasts an impressive 20-20 all-time regular season road record, which includes the team's 3-2 road start this season.

Division Breakdown: Thanks to their win over division-rival Chicago and Indiana's shocking victory in Dallas last Saturday, the Rampage once again hold sole possession of the Central Division lead.

Many More Happy Returns: In 15 total games last season, the Rampage only managed three returns (kickoff, missed FG, fumble or interception) for TDs. Already this season, Grand Rapids has seven returns for TDs:

· 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 Central Division-leading 6-3 record. In nine games this season, the former East Texas State star has completed 208-of-309 passes (67%) for 2,416 yards and 52 TDs. Dolezel currently ranks among the league leaders in attempts (4th), completions (4th), passing yards (4th) and passing TDs (T-3rd).

OS/WR/DB Terrill Shaw: Shaw looks as if he has regained the magic that earned him ArenaBowl XV MVP honors. Through nine games this season, Shaw leads the Rampage in catches (60), receiving yards (842) and TDs (24). Shaw, who has caught a TD in the Rampage's last eight games, currently ranks among the league leaders in scoring (T-3rd), receptions (7th), receiving yards (6th) and receiving TDs (4th).

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 53 grabs for 582 yards and 17 TDs in nine 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).

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