Sports stats



Grand Rapids Rampage Game Notes

April 15, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Grand Rapids Rampage vs. Arizona Rattlers
Date: Saturday, April 19, 2003.
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (EST).
Site: Van Andel Arena (10,594).
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.
TV: WB-61 (Arizona).
Series Record: Tied, 1-1.
Coaches: Grand Rapids, Michael Trigg (73-67 overall, 10th season). Arizona, Danny White (121-57, 11th season).

THE STAKES: With only four games left after this weekend's action, both Grand Rapids and Arizona need a win to continue to move up the playoff-seeding ladder. A win for the Rampage, coupled with losses by Buffalo and New York, puts Grand Rapids in the playoffs for a fifth consecutive year. A win also keeps the Rampage in the hunt for the top seed, which guarantees home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Arizona currently sits in the middle of the pack with a 6-5 record. A win over Grand Rapids would extend Arizona's win streak to three, and give the Rattlers a second straight road victory over a division-leading team.

THE SERIES: This will be only the third meeting between these two franchises. Arizona took game one of the series in 1998 (Rampage's inaugural season), defeating Grand Rapids, 69-27, at Van Andel Arena. Grand Rapids evened the series last season with an impressive 71-53 victory at America West Arena.

THE IFs:

If Grand Rapids defeats Arizona it would...
· Give the Rampage a 2-1 series record with the Rattlers.
· Give the Rampage a 5-1 home record in 2003.
· Give the Rampage a 9-3 overall record in 2003.
· Give the Rampage a 5-1 record against the American Conference in 2003.
· Give the Rampage a 2-1 record against the Western Division in 2003.
· Give the Rampage a 27-18 all-time regular season home record.

HEAD COACHES:

MICHAEL TRIGG, Grand Rapids Rampage (73-67, 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.

DANNY WHITE, ARIZONA RATTLERS (121-57, 11th Season): White is the first and only head coach and general manager of the Rattlers. He has led the Rattlers to ArenaBowl berths in 1994, 1997 and 2002, emerging as the ArenaBowl champions in 1994 and 1997. White was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997, and had his No. 11 jersey retired by Arizona State University. In 1999 he was named the Arizona Athlete of the Century by the Arizona Republic newspaper and was inducted into the Arena League Hall of Fame in 2002. He was named the Arena Football League Coach of the Year in 1993. His 121 wins rank him second all time, and his .684 regular season winning percentage is fourth best in Arena Football history. He also ranks second all time with 15 postseason victories, trailing only Tim Marcum. RAMPAGE LAST WEEK: Las Vegas 21, GRAND RAPIDS 69 (4-13-03) – The Rampage used a season-high eight defensive stops to push its win streak to three, defeating the Las Vegas Gladiators, 69-21, in front of 7,909 fans at Van Andel Arena.

Knotted 14-14 after one quarter of play, the Rampage (8-3) scored 41 unanswered points to take a 55-14 lead after three quarters. The Rampage defense, which registered a season-high eight stops, held the Gladiators (6-5) scoreless in the second and third quarters, and allowed only one score in the final frame.

The victory marked the Rampage's largest margin of victory (48) and fewest points allowed (21) in team history.

Before giving way to backup Nick Browder, Clint Dolezel completed 18-of-22 for 190 yards and five touchdowns, earning game MVP honors. In relief, Browder threw for 95 yards and a touchdown on 5-of-9 passing. He also added a rushing score. Terrill Shaw led all receivers with eight catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns, while Damon Hodge was named the game's Ironman, recording a rushing and receiving touchdown on offense, and two tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup on defense.

Veteran defensive specialists Cecil Doggette and Mark Ricks led Grand Rapids' defensive efforts. Doggette returned an interception 21 yards for a touchdown, while Ricks recovered a fumble and recorded his fourth interception in three games with the Rampage.

RAMPAGE NEXT WEEK: The Rampage travel to Chicago to take on the Rush in a 3 p.m. NBC televised affair. Grand Rapids defeated Chicago, 48-34, on March 29th at Van Andel Arena.

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).

· Trigg also passed Gregory as the AFL's fourth all-time winningest coach (4/13 vs. Las Vegas).

· 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:

· OS Terrill Shaw needs 36 points to move past Thomas Bailey for second place on the Rampage's all-time scoring list.

· Shaw needs only eight TDs to become the Rampage's all-time touchdown leader (Bailey – 71).

· Shaw also needs only five TDs to break Bailey's single-season receiving TD record of 33 (1999) and nine TDs to break Bailey's single-season total TD record of 37 (1999).

· Defensive specialists Cecil Doggette and Mark Ricks each need only one interception to tie Grand Rapids' single-season record of five (Michael Baker –1999).

· WR/DB Willis Marshall will tie Bailey's consecutive regular season games with a reception record (37 straight games) if he is able to catch at least one pass in the team's final five games of the season.

· FB/LB Travis McDonald needs only a half sack to take over sole possession of second place on the Rampage's all-time sacks list. He is currently tied with Tony Bowick with eight.

LAST MEETING: Grand Rapids 71, Arizona 53 (5-31-02) – Clint Dolezel tied a franchise record with eight touchdown tosses as the Rampage extended their winning streak to four with a 71-53 victory over a tough Arizona Rattlers' squad. Dolezel led the Rampage to its top offensive output of the season as he completed 22-of-31 for 305 yards in front of 13,761 screaming fans at America West Arena. It marked the first game of the 2002 season in which Dolezel had not been intercepted. Steve Smith caught nine balls for 117 yards and four scores to continue a phenomenal five-game stretch in which he compiled 20 touchdowns. Willis Marshall garnered Ironman honors, leading the team with 118 receiving yards and chipping in two solo tackles on defense.

SERIES NOTABLES:

· Clint Dolezel (GR): Named MVP in his only game against the Rattlers (5/31/02) in a Rampage uniform, recording 305 yards and eight TDs on 22-of-31 passing.

· Willis Marshall (GR): Named Ironman in his only game against the Rattlers, registering five catches for 118 yards and a score on offense, and two tackles and a defended pass on defense.

· Steve Smith (GR): Led the Rampage with nine catches for 117 yards and four TDs in his only game against Arizona.

· Sherdrick Bonner (ARZ): One of three Rattlers to play both games against GR (Hunkie Cooper & Randy Gatewood)...Completed 33-of-54 for 323 yards, nine TDs and two picks.

· Hunkie Cooper (ARZ): Recorded five catches for 34 yards and two TDs in two games against GR...Also scored on a net recovery in the first contest (7/2/98).

· Randy Gatewood (ARZ): Registered four catches for 48 yards and two TDs in two games against GR.

FAMILIAR FACES:

· Rampage DS Cecil Doggette, Arizona's career leader in interceptions, tackles and defended passes, spent seven seasons with the Rattlers (1995, 1997-2002).

· Rampage DS Mark Ricks played in five games this season with the Rattlers.

· Rampage DS Lamar Grant, FB/LB Umar Muhammad and Arizona K Nelson Garner were teammates with the Indiana Firebirds in 2001.

· Rampage QB Clint Dolezel and Rattlers FB/LB Bo Kelly were teammates at Cisco Junior College and East Texas State University.

· Dolezel and Rattlers WR/LB Terence Davis were teammates with the Houston ThunderBears during the 1998 and 1999 seasons. Davis was also a teammate of Muhammad last season in Indiana.

· Rampage OL/DL Madison Johnson and Ratters DS Clarence Lawson were teammates with the Florida Bobcats from 1999-2001.

CONSECUTIVE GAME STREAKS:

· QB Clint Dolezel has thrown at least one TD pass in every game played in a Rampage uniform (43 consecutive games).

· Dolezel has also thrown at least five TDs in the Rampage's last 10 games.

· WR/DB Willis Marshall has caught at least one pass in every game played in a Rampage uniform (36 total games).

· OS/WR/DB Terrill Shaw has caught at least one TD in the Rampage's last 10 games.

TEAM NOTES:

DS Dividends: One man's garbage is another man's gold – an old phrase that fits well with this weekend's matchup. Rampage defensive specialists Cecil Doggette and Mark Ricks, arguably the best DS duo in Rampage history, were both released by the Arizona Rattlers. Since signing with Grand Rapids, the duo has played huge defensive dividends. Doggette, who signed before the start of the 2003 season, leads the Rampage in tackles (51.0) and is tied for the team lead in interceptions (4.0) and pass breakups (11). Ricks has played in only three games for the Rampage since being released by the Rattlers, but has already recorded four interceptions (tied with Doggette for team lead), 15 tackles, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

Picks Become Plentiful Again: After recording a franchise-low six interceptions last season, Grand Rapids has recorded 13 picks through 11 games this season. Leading the way with four picks apiece are Doggette and Ricks.

Dynamite Duo: Through 11 games this season, Grand Rapids' duo of Terrill Shaw and Steve Smith have combined to catch an impressive 142 passes (T-2nd in AFL) for 1,822 yards (4th in AFL) and 48 TDs (T-2nd in AFL). 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 197 passes for 2,433 yards (1st in AFL) and 58 TDs (2nd 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).

Home Stretch: Out the Rampage's first 10 games, only four were at the friendly confines of Van Andel Arena. The Rampage finish the 2003 regular season with three of their last five games at home.

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, is tied for the league-lead in yards per rush average (5.5) and ranks second in the league in rushing yards (144). Against Dallas a little over a month ago, Avery set new Rampage records for longest TD run (40 yards) and rushing yards in a game (71).

Division Breakdown: Grand Rapids blowout of Las Vegas last Sunday, coupled with Dallas' loss at Indiana, gave the Rampage their first two-game division lead of the season.

Many More Happy Returns: In 15 total games last season, the Rampage only managed three returns (kickoff, missed FG, fumble or interception) for TDs. 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 8-3 record. In 11 games this season, the former East Texas State star has completed 254-of-374 passes (68%) for 2,936 yards and 62 TDs. Dolezel currently ranks among the league leaders in attempts (4th), completions (4th), passing yards (4th) and passing TDs (5th).

OS/WR/DB Terrill Shaw: Shaw looks as if he has regained the magic that earned him ArenaBowl XV MVP honors. Through 11 games this season, Shaw leads the Rampage in catches (77), receiving yards (1,113) and TDs (29). Shaw, who has caught a TD in the Rampage's last 10 games, currently ranks among the league leaders in scoring (4th), receptions (T-5th), receiving yards (5th) 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 65 grabs for 709 yards and 19 TDs in 11 games. In addition, the 2002 Rampage MVP has added kickoff returns to his arsenal this season. He has returned two kickoffs for TDs (2/28 & 3/9).

• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 15, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Grand Rapids Rampage Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central