Grand Rapids Rampage Game Notes

Published on May 12, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Grand Rapids Rampage vs. Dallas Desperados
Date: Sunday, May 18, 2003.
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. (ET).
Site: Van Andel Arena (10,594).
Officials: Referee: Tom McCabe Umpire: Thomas Laverty Head Linesman: Dale Newhouse Line Judge: Bob McElwee Back Judge: James Anderson
TV: NBC
Radio: WBBL 1340 AM, Joe Parson & Tom Sullivan.
Series Record: Rampage leads 1-0.
Coaches: Grand Rapids, Michael Trigg (73-71 overall, 10th season). Dallas, Joe Avezzano (17-14, 2nd season).

THE STAKES: The Rampage are currently tied with the Dallas Desperados for the Central Division lead, and a win for either team would lock down the title and a home contest in the first round of the playoffs. The Rampage are also looking to end their four-game losing streak, the team's longest since the 2000 campaign. The Desperados, in their second season in the AFL, are looking to secure their first division crown. Dallas has already improved upon its 7-7 mark in their inaugural season. Both teams also will be competing for overall playoff positioning. Grand Rapids is currently holds the No. 7 seed, while Dallas stands at No. 5.

THE SERIES: This will be the second overall meeting of the teams. The Rampage traveled to Dallas in week 7 and were able to escape with a 45-42 victory.

THE IFs:

If Grand Rapids defeats Dallas it would...
· Give the Rampage the 2003 Central Division title.
· Give the Rampage a 5-3 home record in 2003.
· Give the Rampage an 9-7 overall record in 2003.
· Give the Rampage a 6-5 record against the American Conference in 2003.
· Give the Rampage a 4-2 record against the Central Division in 2003.
· End a Rampage four-game losing streak.

HEAD COACHES:

MICHAEL TRIGG, Grand Rapids Rampage (73-71, 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 (17-14, 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: Grand Rapids 68, Indiana 71, (5-11-03) – The Grand Rapids Rampage made a valiant fourth quarter comeback, but were unable to overcome a 25-point deficit as the Indiana Firebirds kept their playoff hopes alive with a 71-68 victory in front of 8,488 at Van Andel Arena. The defeat leaves the Rampage with their first four-game losing streak since the 2000 season.

Game MVP Raymond Philyaw led the Firebirds to a 65-40 lead after three quarters, before Indiana had to withstand four touchdown passes in the fourth quarter by Clint Dolezel to hold on for the narrow victory. Grand Rapids outscored Indiana 28-6 in the final frame, but a failed onsides kick with 16 seconds remaining sealed the victory for the Firebirds.

Philyaw completed 15-of-31 passes for 189 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception to lead the Firebirds. Jeremy McDaniel led the receiving corps with six receptions for 89 yards and two scores, while Jay Jones added three TD catches. Shawn Foreman garnered Ironman of the Game honors after catching a 16-yard TD to go along with four tackles and two interceptions on defense.

Dolezel led the Rampage, completing 29-of-45 pass attempts for 381 yards and seven touchdowns. The Texas native also threw three interceptions, all coming in the third stanza when Grand Rapids was outscored 21-0. Steve Smith reeled in eight catches for 82 yards and three TDs, and Terrill Shaw recorded seven receptions for 107 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

RAMPAGE NEXT WEEK: The Rampage will play in the first round of playoffs. Opponent is yet to be decided.

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).

· OS Terrill Shaw broke Thomas Bailey's single-season total TD record of 37 (1999) when he reached 39 (5/11 vs. Indiana).

· Shaw became the just the third player in Rampage history to compile 100 catches in a single season and joined Bailey and Michael Baker (5/11 vs. Indiana).

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

· Shaw needs only 21 receiving yards to break Bailey's single-season receiving yards record of 1,578 (1999).

· Shaw has caught a TD reception in 14 consecutive games, one shy of Bailey's franchise record (1999-00).

· Defensive specialist Mark Ricks needs only one interception to break Grand Rapids' single-season record of five (Michael Baker –1999).

· WR/DB Willis Marshall has caught a pass in 36 straight games, one short of Bailey's team record. (1998-00).

· 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: Dallas 42, GRAND RAPIDS 45 (3-16-03) – 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.

In defeat, Dallas quarterback Jim Kubiak finished 27-of-38 for 271 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. Former Rampage offensive specialist Shannon Culver led all Desperados' receivers with eight catches for 86 yards and a touchdown.

SERIES NOTABLES:

· WR/DB Willis Marshall earned Game MVP honors after reeling in 11 receptions for 98 yards and three touchdowns.

· FB/LB Chris Avery was named Ironman of the Game after rushing for a franchise record 71 yards, including a 40-yard TD scamper.

· QB Clint Dolezel had a very efficient performance, passing for 241 yards on 22-of-31 attempts for five TDs.

· QB Jim Kubiak was 27-of-38 for 271 yards, four touchdowns and an interception.

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, spent camp in Dallas, but was released prior to the regular season.

· Dallas' defensive coordinator Will McClay was the Rampage's first defensive coordinator, spending three seasons with the team (1998-2000).

· 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.

CONSECUTIVE GAME STREAKS:

· QB Clint Dolezel has thrown at least one TD pass in every game played in a Rampage uniform (47 consecutive 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 14 games.

TEAM NOTES:

Turning it Around...Grand Rapids is looking to break their first four-game losing streak since their slide from June 17-July 8, 2000. The franchise record is five games, set in the Rampage expansion season in 1998.

Old Fashioned Shootout...The game will feature two of the most prolific quarterbacks in the league today. Clint Dolezel will match-up with the Desperados' Jim Kubiak in a game that is sure to provide plenty of fireworks. The twosome currently rank 1-2 in total offense and each rank among the top five in the league in pass rating, pass yards and passing TDs.

How Offensive...With increased production in recent weeks, the Rampage have jumped to the league lead in total offense with over 302 yards per game. Grand Rapids has also set a season record with 874 points scored this season, an average of 58.3 points per game.

Wing Men...The Rampage receiving trio of Terrill Shaw (39), Steve Smith (27) and Willis Marshall (14) have produced like no other group in team history. The three have combined for 80 TD receptions, far outreaching the previous record set in 1999 (63).

3rd and One...One facet of the Rampage offense that has seen the most improvement this season is their third-down conversion percentage. Grand Rapids currently leads the league with a 66.2 percent success rate.

Division Breakdown: Grand Rapids four-game slide has left them one game behind the Dallas Desperados, following their 56-55 triumph over Georgia on Saturday. Due to the fact that Grand Rapids currently holds a better division record, the winner of this week's meeting will secure the Central Division and a home contest in the first round of the playoffs.

American Conference – Central Division
Team W L T
Dallas Desperados 9 6 0
Grand Rapids Rampage 8 7 0
Chicago Rush 7 8 0
Indiana Firebirds 6 9 0

Injury Update: The Rampage's list of walking wounded continued to grow as OL/DL Corey Mayfield suffered a knee injury that knocked him out of Sunday's contest and could limit his playing time against the Desperados. While the team did see the return of DS Shea Showers, DS Mark Ricks was subsequently placed on Injured Reserve with a knee injury of his own. Ricks joins OL/DL Jason Gamble, OL/DL Israel Raybon, OL/DL Joe Wylie, DS DeAuntae Brown and FB/LB Chris Ryan on Grand Rapids' injured reserve list.

Picks Become Plentiful Again: After recording a franchise-low six interceptions last season, Grand Rapids has recorded 14 picks through 14 games this season. New additions Cecil Doggette, Mark Ricks, Lamar Grant and Shea Showers have accounted for 12 of the picks.

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 includes standout lineman Albert Reese and WR/LB Damon Hodge. Reese will be relied upon heavily following the recent injuries suffered by fellow linemen Israel Raybon, Joe Wylie, Jason Gamble and Corey Mayfield.

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 345-of-516 passes (67%) for 4,193 yards and 86 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 (2nd) 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 (105), receiving yards (1,558) and TDs (39). Shaw, who has caught a TD in the Rampage's last 14 games, currently ranks among the league leaders in scoring (3rd), receptions (5th), receiving yards (3rd) and receiving TDs (3rd).

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 91 grabs for 1,040 yards and 27 TDs in 15 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 36 games. Since the beginning of 2002, Marshall has posted 151 catches for 1,823 yards and 29 TDs.

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