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AF1 Iowa Rampage

Iowa Rampage Outduel Rapid City Marshals 58-28 to Open Season

April 28, 2024 - Arena Football One (AF1)
Iowa Rampage News Release


The Iowa Rampage outdueld the Rapid City Marshals winning 58-28 in Week 1 of the AFL season.

The Rampage controlled this game from the coin toss. Iowa quarterback Rakeem Cato's experience shined through right away. We had three touchdown catches over the wall, two of which were one-handed, and this game delivered thrills throughout the evening.

FIRST QUARTER

Iowa won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. The kickoff set the tone for the game as the Rampage delivered a BIG HIT on the kick returner.

Iowa's Jaylen Schleicher intercepted the ball on the Marshals' first drive. On the third play of the Rampage's first possession, Chris Elmore punched it in for an Iowa Touchdown to put six points on the board. The Rampage missed the extra point.

Rapid City's second possession resulted in a 60-yard field goal attempt that turned into a punt. In one play, Rakeem Cato threw a bomb to Jaylen Schleicher to set Iowa up at the three-yard line. Two plays later, Cato would hit Schleicher for a touchdown as he tumbled over the wall. Another missed extra point put the Rampage up 12-0.

SECOND QUARTER

The Marshals kicked off the second quarter with a huge touchdown pass, only to be called back by a holding penalty. They would turn the ball over on downs the next play, setting the Rampage up in great field position inside the Marshals' 20-yard line.

Rakeem Cato dropped a dime to Max Novak with 13:27 left in the second quarter for another Rampage touchdown. This time, they would make the extra point to go up 19-0.

A big catch by Mason Lee set the Marshals down the field. But they'd again turn the ball over on downs. Quarterback Brian Vilaneva looked rattled early in the game by the Rampage defense.

Rakeem Cato was firing on all cylinders, immediately throwing a deep bomb to Larry Beavers and setting the Ramage up within the five-yard line. Cato would toss another touchdown to Jalen Schleicher, who made a one-handed catch over the wall for his second touchdown of the game. He made an extra point and scored 26-0, Rampage.

Jack Sheehan would replace Vilaneva at quarterback for the Marshals on their next possession. On 4th and short, he'd hit Mason Lee for a 29-yard pass to set them up inside the 10-yard line. Sheehan hits Breon Michel for the touchdown, finally getting the Marshals on the board. The extra point is good, cutting the deficit to 26-7.

Rakeem Cato to Jaylen Schleicher for their third touchdown connection of the first half! Cato again threw it right on the wall, and Schleicher split the defenders to snag it. The extra point was good and extended the Rampage lead to 33-7.

THIRD QUARTER

The Iowa Rampage picked up right where they left off with Larry Beavers' huge kick return to set up a Rampage touchdown two plays later. Ryan Martinez scored a controversial touchdown as he took the end around and fumbled the ball crossing into the end zone. After a replay review, the call was upheld. Another missed extra point, 39-7 Rampage.

On the ensuing kickoff, Trevon Sidney took it to the house, juking the kicker out of his shoes on the way. The Marshals would elect to kick for one point. 33-14 Iowa Rampage after two quick scores in the second half.

Rakeem Cato to Ryan Martinez in the back of the end zone for another Rampage touchdown. 40-14. Jack Sheehan threw an interception for the Marshals, and one play later, Rakeem Cato goes to Ryan Martinez again on the deep pass for a touchdown. Extra point good, 52-14 Iowa Rampage. 3:45 left in the third quarter.

The Rampage kicked the ball off and hit the ceiling. The Marshals take the snap and Jack Sheehan hits a streaking Mason Lee for a one-play touchdown drive. The Marshals go for two and do not get it. 52-20 with 2:40 left in the third.

FOURTH QUARTER

The Rampage kicked the ball to start the third quarter. Trevon Sidney takes off again with a massive return of 40 yards all the way to the Rampage 14-yard line. One-handed touchdown catch over the wall by Keshaun Taylor! Touchdown Marshals, they elect to go for two and miss. 52-26 Rampage with 13:51 left in the fourth quarter.

The Marshals go with the onside kick and recover! Keshaun Taylor, who just caught the touchdown, recovered for Rapid City as they took over again. Jack Sheehan unleashes a deep pass to the end zone, picked off by Cedric Thomas of the Rampage who returns it out to the 20-yard line.

Ryan Martinez with a huge play sets the Rampage up inside the five-yard line. Desmond Maxwell bullies his way into the end zone for another Rampage touchdown. Extra point blocked, 58-26 Iowa. 10:58 remaining in the game.

Another 40-yard kick return by Trevon Sidney, he can't quite slip past the kicker as he's tackled around the Rampage 15-yard line. Another Rampage interception stops the Marshals drive.

The Marshals defense steps up right away getting the first safety of the game! Two points on the board for the Marshals, and most importantly they'd get the ball back. 58-28 Iowa with 7:00 left in the game.

The Marshals slowly move down the field. Quarterback Jack Sheehan goes down on the sack and twists his knee in an ugly-looking play. Brain Villanueva comes back in at quarterback.

Vilanueva takes big hits on back-to-back plays the Marshals expect to let the clockrun down and end the game so as not to get a second quarterback hurt.

Final score Iowa Rampage 58 - Rapid City Marshals 28

LOOKING AHEAD TO WEEK TWO

The Iowa Rampage move to 1-0 on the season, they'll head to Dodge City, Kansas next week to take on the Southwest Kansas Storm.

The Rapid City Marshals fall to 0-1 on the season, they'll go to Everett, Washington to face the Washington Wolfpack.



Arena Football One Stories from April 28, 2024


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