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Rampage Clinch Playoff Berth with 54-45 Victory

July 13, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


Uniondale, NY - It took longer than expected, but the ArenaBowl XV Champion Grand Rapids Rampage clinched its fourth playoff berth in five years with a 54-45 victory over the New York Dragons in front of 7,036 fans at the Nassau Coliseum on Saturday night.

Clint Dolezel, who was named the game's MVP, completed 21-of-38 passes for 319 yards and no interceptions, while throwing five touchdowns to five different receivers. Dolezel's favorite target on the night was Gary Compton, who caught a game-high 10 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. Chris Ryan added two rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown.

In defeat, Aaron Garcia completed 17-of-25 for 246 yards and five touchdowns. Steve Papin led all Dragons' receivers with eight catches for 78 yards, while Mike Furrey and Jason Maxwell each added two scores.

The nine-point victory snapped the Rampage's two-game losing streak and improved the team's record to 7-6. New York, losers of seven straight games, dropped to 2-11.

Grand Rapids started the game with the ball and a seven-point lead as Willis Marshall capped off the Rampage seven-play drive with a one-yard touchdown run. After completing just one pass on their first drive, Garcia and the Dragons' offense had to settle for a Clay Rush 47-yard field goal, cutting the Grand Rapids' lead to four, 7-3. On their next possession, the Rampage offense stalled at New York's four-yard line and were held scoreless when Brian Gowins 19-yard field goal attempt sailed wide. At the end of one the score remained 7-3.

The second quarter proved to be another struggle for both teams' offenses. New York scored only ten points in the quarter on a Garcia to Mike Furrey touchdown strike and another Rush field goal, while Grand Rapids managed only 14 points on two Dolezel touchdown passes to Marshall and Shaw. Shaw's TD catch, which came with no time remaining on the clock, and Gowins missed extra point attempt gave the Rampage a 20-13 halftime lead.

Scoring picked up in the third frame as both teams combined for 33 points. Garcia threw three third quarter TD strikes (Furrey & Jason Maxwell), while Dolezel answered with two of his own to Compton and Ryan to give the Rampage a 34-32 after three.

The fourth quarter started and ended with one-yard touchdown runs from Ryan. In between, the Dragons got a one-yard touchdown run of their own from Rodney Filer and a Garcia 19-yard TD pass to Todd Doxzon, while Michael Baker caught a 23-yard TD pass from Dolezel. Up only 48-45 after the Doxzon TD catch at the 4:08 mark, the Rampage drained the remaining time off the clock before Ryan scored his second rushing TD of the night with only four seconds left to seal the victory.

Grand Rapids finishes out its 2002 regular season next Friday night against the Detroit Fury. Kickoff at The Palace of Auburn Hills is at 7:30 p.m. Radio coverage on WBBL 1340 AM begins at 7:10 p.m.

Game Notes:

-Rampage FB/LB Travis McDonald was named Ironman of the Game. The former Missouri Tiger recorded 2.5 sacks and three tackles on defense, while rushing two times for nine yards on offense. He also set a new team single-season sack record with 5.5, moving him past Corey Mayfield and Buster Stanley, who previously were tied for the record with 4.5.

-Rampage FB/LB Chris Ryan broke his own team single-season rushing record (119) with his 23 rushing yards. He now has 129 rushing yards on the season. He also broke Basil Proctor's single-season rushing attempts record (40) with his nine attempts on Saturday night. He now has 45 attempts on the season.

-Grand Rapids' four sacks tied a team single-game record.

-Grand Rapids' 20 first-half points tied a season low.

-Grand Rapids is now 3-3 on the road.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from July 13, 2002


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