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Rampage Face Desperados in Divisional Showdown

March 12, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - One down, two to go for the Grand Rapids Rampage, who currently are amidst a three-game road swing, the team's longest in franchise history. After dropping their first contest on the road last week, the Rampage (4-2) look for a road rebound against the Dallas Desperados (4-2), the team's newest division rival, on Sunday afternoon at Reunion Arena.

Kickoff for the first meeting of these two franchises is at 4 p.m. (EST). The game can be heard live on WBBL 1340 AM. Veteran broadcasters Joe Parson and Tom Sullivan will handle the call of the game.

The Desperados, who are owned by Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones, finished 7-7 in the regular season and made the playoffs in their inaugural campaign of 2002. After competing in the AFL's Western Division last season, the Desperados were shifted to the Central Division during offseason realignment.

Sunday's game marks the opening of division play for the Rampage. Although the season is still early, the stakes don't get much higher than this divisional showdown. The winner takes over sole possession of the division lead and remains among the AFL's elite with a 5-2 record, while the loser drops to the middle of the AFL pack at 4-3.

The 2003 season marks the historic debut of the AFL on NBC. NBC Sports will televise up to 70 games, including all playoff games and ArenaBowl XVII on June 22. The network's coverage this week includes: Colorado at Arizona, New York at Detroit and Orlando at Tampa Bay.

Rampage/Desperados Quick Facts:

* Grand Rapids' roster boasts two former Desperados' defensive specialists: DeAuntae Brown and Lamar Grant.

* 7 - The number of Rampage players and coaches from the state of Texas: QB Clint Dolezel (Robinson), Line Coach Terry Gray (Houston), OL/DL Rod Manuel (Fort Worth), OL/DL Corey Mayfield (Tyler), FB/LB Umar Muhammad (Fort Worth), Head Coach Michael Trigg (San Antonio) and OL/DL Joe Wylie (San Antonio).

* Dallas' roster includes three former Rampage players: OS Shannon Culver, QB John Fitzgerald and OL/DL Patrick Scott.

* Desperados' defensive coordinator Will McClay spent two seasons (1997-98) as an assistant coach with the Rampage.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 12, 2003


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