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Grand Rapids Rampage Game Notes

May 5, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Grand Rapids Rampage vs. Indiana Firebirds
Date: Sunday, May 11, 2003.
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. (ET).
Site: Van Andel Arena (10,594).
Officials: Referee: Wes Fritz; Umpire: Tony Payne; Head Linesman: Rich Grube; Line Judge: Tim Podraza; Back Judge: James Cole.
TV: None
Radio: WBBL 1340 AM, Joe Parson & Tom Sullivan.
Series Record: Rampage leads 3-2.
Coaches: Grand Rapids, Michael Trigg (73-70 overall, 10th season). Indiana, Mike Daily (62-45, 7th season).

THE STAKES: With a playoff spot already locked up, Grand Rapids now focuses its attention on snapping their three-game losing streak and securing the Central Division crown. The Rampage is currently tied with the Dallas Desperados for the division lead with just two games remaining. A win by Grand Rapids, combined with a Dallas loss, would clinch the title for the Rampage. The team also holds the No. 7 seed in the race for home-field advantage.

THE SERIES: This will be the fifth overall contest and second meeting between these two franchises this year. Grand Rapids leads the series, winning three of five games. Indiana won both meetings last season, while Grand Rapids topped the Firebirds 56-49 in week 10.

THE IFs:

If Grand Rapids defeats Indiana it would...

- Give the Rampage a 4-2 series record with the Firebirds.
- Give the Rampage a 5-2 home record in 2003.
- Give the Rampage a 9-6 overall record in 2003.
- Give the Rampage a 5-4 record against the American Conference in 2003.

HEAD COACHES:

MICHAEL TRIGG, Grand Rapids Rampage (73-70, 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 (62-45, 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: Grand Rapids 55, San Jose 56 (5-3-03) – The showdown between the last two ArenaBowl champions was all it was billed to be as the San Jose Sabercats eked out a last second 56-55 victory over the Grand Rapids Rampage in front of 13,406 at the HP Pavillion. San Jose secured the late win on a two-point conversion by Game MVP Mark Grieb with just four seconds remaining.

The Rampage held a 55-48 lead with 34 seconds remaining following a 3-yard scoring strike by Clint Dolezel to Terrill Shaw. However, San Jose's Kevin McKenzie returned the ensuing kickoff to Grand Rapids' 9-yard line and three plays later Grieb found James Roe in the back of the end zone for his second touchdown reception of the game. The Sabercats then opted to go for the win and Grieb executed a perfect run fake and scampered to the improbable victory.

San Jose was led by Grieb, who completed 21-of-31 passes for 251 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. Roe led the receiving corps with nine receptions for 124 yards and two scores, while James Hundon added 3 TDs on six catches for 55 yards. Barry Wagner garnered Ironman of the Game honors, scoring two rushing TDs to go along with five tackles on defense.

In the loss, Dolezel completed 19-of-30 passes for 249 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. Shaw hauled in three TD passes on the night, while Steve Smith and Willis Marshall added two scores each.

RAMPAGE NEXT WEEK: The Rampage host the Dallas Desperados for the first time in franchise history. The Rampage defeated the Desperados 45-42 earlier this season.

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:


- OS Terrill Shaw recently became the Rampage all-time leader in touchdowns (72) and the single-season leader in TD receptions (37). Both marks eclipsed records set by Thomas Bailey (71, 33)


- QB Clint Dolezel recently became the first quarterback to throw for 70 or more TDs in five different AFL seasons (4/27/03).


- OS Steve Smith became the Rampage's all-time single-season leader in kickoff returns for TDs with his third of the season (4/19/03).


- 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 166 (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 just one TD to break Thomas Bailey's single-season total TD record of 37 (1999).


- Shaw needs only 128 receiving yards to break Bailey's single-season receiving yards record of 1,578 (1999).


- With two receptions, Shaw will become the just the third player in Rampage history to compile 100 catches in a single season (Bailey, Michael Baker).


- Defensive specialist Mark Ricks needs only one interception to break 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 two 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: Indiana 49, GRAND RAPIDS 56 (3-16-03) – After leading by as many as 20 points in the fourth quarter, the Grand Rapids Rampage had to rally late to defeat the Indiana Firebirds, 56-49, in front of 13,023 fans at Conseco Fieldhouse on Saturday night.

Trailing 28-27 at the half, Grand Rapids (7-3) turned two second half Jose Davis interceptions into a commanding 48-28 lead with 10:48 remaining in the game. The Firebirds (4-6) then inserted quarterback Raymond Philyaw, who missed the past five weeks due to injury, to rally the troops. And rally he did, as the veteran quarterback led the Firebirds to three straight scores and a 49-48 lead. Down by one with less than a minute remaining in the game, the Rampage earned their fourth road victory of the season with Clint Dolezel's third touchdown pass of the night to Terrill Shaw, followed by a Dolezel to Willis Marshall two-point conversion.

SERIES NOTABLES:


- Terrill Shaw (GR) has averaged 9.3 receptions and 111.0 yards in compiling ten TDs in three games against the Firebirds.


- Clint Dolezel (GR) has completed 148-of-215 passes for 1,513 yards in five games. He has thrown 29 TDs and three interceptions in those games.


- Raymond Philyaw (IND) has thrown for 1,341 yards on 84-of-133 pass attempts. He has tossed 26 touchdowns to just one INT.


- Eddie Brown (IND) has grabbed 41 receptions for 751 yards in five games of actions. He has also registered 14 touchdowns (13 receiving, one rushing).


- Evan Hlavacek (IND) has posted nine tackles and two interceptions in two contests against Grand Rapids.


- Brian Gowins (GR) has connected on 5-of-7 FG attempts during the all-time series. Indiana kickers have made 7-of-12 FGs in the same time period.

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 game played in a Rampage uniform (46 consecutive games).


- WR/DB Willis Marshall has caught at least one pass in every game played in a Rampage uniform (35 total games).


- OS/WR/DB Terrill Shaw has caught at least one TD in the Rampage's last 13 games.

TEAM NOTES:

Turning it Around...Grand Rapids is looking to break their first three-game losing streak since their four-game slide from June 17-July 8, 2000.

Bucking the Trend...The Rampage must limit the production of the Raymond Philyaw to Eddie Brown connection that has burned them in previous meetings. In five games, Brown has reeled in 41 receptions for 751 yards and 13 TDs. Philyaw has thrown a total of 26 touchdowns, and just one interception, while each have also added a rushing touchdown.

Wing Men...The Rampage receiving trio of Terrill Shaw (37), Steve Smith (24) and Willis Marshall (13) have produced like no other group in team history. The three have combined for 74 TD receptions, far outreaching the previous record set in 1999 (63).

Home Sweet Home...One of the Rampage's main objectives is to secure the Central Division crown, ensuring them of a home game in the first round of the playoffs. They are currently tied with the Dallas Desperados on top of the Central Division and hold the tiebreaker. A win against the Firebirds, coupled with a loss by Dallas, would secure the crown.

Lock Down...The Rampage have seen results from their revamped defensive sore this season as they are below current single-season record lows for points allowed (715), passing yards allowed (3,515) and interceptions (14). These records were recorded in the previous 14-game seasons.

Down and Out...After winning the first three games of their season, Indiana has dropped nine of their last 11 contests. Much of their struggles are linked to the fact they have been forced to use four quarterbacks this season due to various injuries. Their starting quarterback at the beginning of the season, Raymond Philyaw, has played in just nine games. Meanwhile, Rampage quarterback Clint Dolezel has taken all but 13 snaps this season.

Division Breakdown: Grand Rapids' loss at San Jose on Saturday was offset by Dallas defeat against the Tampa Bay Storm. The two teams currently stand tied atop the division with a Grand Rapids-Dallas showdown in the season's final week. The Rampage hold the tiebreaker between the teams.

Injury Update: Grand Rapids suffered two disappointing injuries in Saturday's contest against San Jose as OL/DL Jason Gamble and DS Cecil Doggette both went down and did not return to the game. The lineman suffered a severe ankle sprain that could keep him out for the remainder of the season. Doggette's injury appeared much more serious as he was taken to a local hospital after a tough collision. While he was cleared of any head or neck injuries, he also suffered a knee injury that leaves him questionable. Gamble joins OL/DL, OL/DL Joe Wylie, FB/LB Chris Ryan and WR/DB DeAuntae Brown on the Rampage injured list.

DS Dividends: One man's garbage is another man's gold – an old phrase that fits the Rampage's defensive backfield well. 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 (64.5) and second on the team in interceptions (4.0) and pass breakups (13). Ricks has played in only five games for the Rampage since being released by the Rattlers, but has already recorded a team-leading five interceptions, 24 tackles, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

Picks Become Plentiful Again: After recording a franchise-low six interceptions last season, Grand Rapids has recorded 14 picks through 14 games this season. Veteran defensive specialist Mark Ricks leads the way with five takeaways on 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 nine returns for TDs:

- Rod Manuel returned an on-side kick 10 yards for a score in last week's overtime loss to Arizona.

- 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 three kickoff returns for TDs (2/28 vs. Carolina, 3/9 @ Georgia, 4/19 vs. Arizona).

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 played significant roles for the Central Division-leading Rampage.

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 8-5 record. In 13 games this season, the former East Texas State star has completed 316-of-471 passes (67%) for 3,812 yards and 79 TDs. Dolezel, who recently became the first QB to throw for 70 or more TDs in five different AFL seasons, currently ranks among the league leaders in attempts (3rd), completions (3rd), passing yards (3rd) and passing TDs (5th).

OS/WR/DB Terrill Shaw: Shaw has regained his post as Dolezel's favorite target after suffering through a injury-plagued 2002 season. Through 14 games this season, Shaw leads the Rampage in catches (93), receiving yards (1,380) and TDs (34). Shaw, who has caught a TD in the Rampage's last 12 games, currently ranks among the league leaders in scoring (4th), receptions (6th), receiving yards (3rd) 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 83 grabs for 958 yards and 24 TDs in 14 games. In addition, the 2002 Rampage MVP has added kickoff returns to his arsenal this season. He has returned three kickoffs for TDs (2/28, 3/9 & 4/19).

WR/DB Willis Marshall: Marshall has been one of the most consistent and best all-around performers for Grand Rapids over the past two seasons. He has recorded a reception in each game he has suited up for Grand Rapids. The streak currently stands at 35 games. Since the beginning of 2002, Marshall has posted 146 catches for 1,738 yards and 28 TDs.



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