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Rampage Finish the Preseason at Buffalo on Thursday

April 8, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Grand Rapids Rampage @ Buffalo Destroyers
Date: Thursday, April 11, 2002
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (EST)
Site: HSBC Arena (18,457)
Officials: Bill Athan (Referee), Rick Nelson (Umpire), Mike McCabe (Head Linesman), Art Lucky (Line Judge), James Cole (Back Judge).
Radio: Joe Parson & Tom Sullivan
TV: None
Series Record: Rampage lead 2-0
Last Meeting: Grand Rapids 44, Buffalo 40 (Friday, July 20, 2001 in Buffalo)
Coaches: Grand Rapids Rampage, Michael Trigg (54-52 overall, 9th Year). Buffalo Destroyers, Ray Bentley (11-13 overall, 3rd Year.)

HEAD COACHES:

MICHAEL TRIGG, Grand Rapids Rampage (54-52, 8th Year): Michael Trigg enters his fifth season with the Rampage, boasting a history of achievement both on the sidelines and on the field. That history 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 on ABC. Last season, Trigg not only guided the Rampage to the team's third consecutive playoff berth and first championship, but he also led the team to a league-best 11-3 record. For his efforts last season, Trigg was named the 2001 AFL Coach of the Year. He is just the sixth coach in AFL history to reach the 50-win plateau and now ranks as the fifth winningest coach in AFL history.

RAY BENTLEY, Buffalo Destroyers (11-13, 3rd Year): Ray Bentley, a Grand Rapids native, enters his second full season as the head coach of the Buffalo Destroyers. He also serves as the team's vice president and general manager. Bentley led the Destroyers to a fast 6-3 start last year, only to see them falter late in the season and narrowly miss the playoffs. The former Hudsonville High School standout went on to earn All-MAC honors while at Central Michigan University. His 10-year pro football career began in 1983 with the Michigan Panthers where he was part of the inaugural USFL Championship team. Bentley joined the Buffalo Bills in 1986 and stayed with the team through the 1991 season, playing in two Super Bowls.

2001 REVIEW:

· In just their fourth Arena Football League season, the Grand Rapids Rampage won their first ArenaBowl championship, defeating the Nashville Kats 64-42 in front of an overflow crowd at Van Andel Arena and a national television audience on ABC.

· The Rampage's finished the regular season with a league best 11-3 record, winning their first Central Division title.

· The Rampage began the season with records of 5-0 and 7-1, marking the best starts in franchise history. In addition, the team's five consecutive wins to start the season set a record for the longest winning streak in franchise history.

· QB Clint Dolezel enjoyed the most prolific season ever for a Rampage hurler, breaking his own AFL record with 574 attempts while establishing team marks for touchdown passes (80), passing yards (3,952) and completions (364). The 80-TD threshold has been eclipsed just seven times in AFL history, and Dolezel became the only man to do it three times (81 in 1998, 80 in 2001 and 1999).

· Two Rampage players added their names to the AFL's all-time greats. In a 41-38 win vs. Carolina on May 11, WR/LB Michael Baker became the fifth player in league history to accumulate 5,000 receiving and 5,000 return yards for his career. Then, in a 79-58 win vs. Chicago on July 7, QB Clint Dolezel became just the seventh player in AFL history to record 300 passing touchdowns and the tenth player to record 2,000 passing attempts.

· Five members of the Rampage were honored by the AFL. After leading the Rampage to the league's best regular season record, coach Michael Trigg was chosen as the AFL's Coach of the Year. In addition to Trigg, K Brian Gowins was named AFL Kicker of the Year and DS JoJo Polk was presented with the league's Most Inspirational Award, following his miraculous recovery from a broken neck. QB Clint Dolezel, WR/LB Michael Baker, and Gowins are also named to the All-Arena Second Team. Polk was also named to the All-Rookie Team.

PRESEASON HISTORY: According to most, preseason games don't mean much. But in four previous seasons, the Rampage's preseason has pretty much determined the type of season the team would have. Grand Rapids two best seasons have come when the team finished flawless in preseason play. In 1999, the Rampage finished 8-6 after preseason wins against Portland and Houston. Last season the team finished with a league-best 11-3 record and of course an ArenaBowl XV championship after defeating the New Jersey Gladiators and the Nashville Kats during the preseason.

THE SERIES: The Rampage and Destroyers have met twice with both games being played in Buffalo. In 1999, Buffalo's inaugural season, Grand Rapids squeaked by the Destroyers 40-38. Last season, the Rampage staged the franchise's biggest comeback to clinch the top seed in the AFL playoffs, defeating Buffalo 44-40. Buffalo will come to Grand Rapids for the first time when the two teams meet again during the regular season on Saturday, May 25 at Van Andel Arena.

LAST MEETING: Grand Rapids 44, BUFFALO 40 (7/20/01) – The Rampage staged the biggest comeback in franchise history and claimed the top seed in the AFL playoffs with a 44-40 victory over the Destroyers at HSBC Arena. Down 10 points at the half, 16 early in the third quarter and 10 entering the fourth, the Rampage responded in a manner befitting the league's best team. The defense held the Destroyers without points in their final three drives, while the offense scored the last 17 points of the game. The nine points allowed by Grand Rapids in the second half set a franchise record. Clint Dolezel completed 22 of 38 for 234 yards and five touchdowns, earning game MVP honors. After getting touchdown receptions by Terrill Shaw on each of their first three possessions in a 21-21 game, the Rampage offense struggled the remainder of the first half. Dolezel, who had thrown just eight interceptions all season, was picked off on consecutive drives during the second quarter. Keven Jackson grabbed a lob intended for Shaw in the endzone on a fourth-and-one play deep in Buffalo territory, and Prentice Taylor made a diving interception at the Destroyers' two yard line on Grand Rapids' next possession. In between, Buffalo took its first lead on a one-yard run by Willie Latta. After the second interception, the Destroyers went up 31-21 on a 17-yard field goal by Brett Gorden with just 15 seconds left in the half. Grand Rapids did have a chance to counter before time ran out, but Brian Gowins' attempt from 45 yards was wide right, ending his team-record field goal streak at nine. An 11-yard strike to Carlos James early in the second half extended Buffalo's advantage to 37-21, following a missed extra point. On the Rampage's ensuing drive, Dolezel hit Demo Odems for a 41-yard bomb, Grand Rapids' longest scoring play from scrimmage this season. GR failed to convert a two-point attempt, and field goals of 34 yards by Gorden and 25 yards by Gowins made it a 40-30 game after three quarters. The Rampage defense helped pull Grand Rapids into the lead by denying Buffalo on its next three drives. JoJo Polk intercepted Jim Kubiak and returned the ball to the one-yard line, from where Chris Avery plunged into the endzone to cut the deficit to 40-37. With nine minutes remaining, the defense rose up to stop a fourth-and-10 play from its own 17 yard line, and the offense drove 33 yards to score with 5:11 remaining on a two-yard pass to Shaw, his fourth TD of the game. Buffalo had one last chance to save its season, but Kubiak's pass into the endzone on fourth-and-four from the GR 7 fell incomplete, and the Rampage ran out the clock.

FAMILIAR FACES: There will be plenty of familiar faces for both sides when these two teams meet on Thursday. Combining the two rosters, a total of 10 players have suited up in both a Rampage and Destroyers uniform. Current Rampage players who have played/signed with the Destroyers: Terrill Shaw (2000), Kenyatte Morgan (2001), Steve Smith (2001), Mark Herron (2001), Terrance Joseph and Nick Browder (2000). Current Buffalo players who have played/signed with Grand Rapids: Thomas Bailey (1998-2000), Juan Long (1999), David Caldwell (1998) and Sam Mavrick (2001). Bailey, who was released from Grand Rapids before the start of the 2000 season, still ranks as the Rampage's all-time leader in scoring (432) and touchdowns (71). He also ranks second all-time in receptions (289) and receiving yards (3,359). In 1999, Bailey teamed with Rampage WR/LB Michael Baker to become the first receiving duo in AFL history to catch 100 plus passes.

RAMPAGE NEXT WEEK: The Rampage will open their 2002 regular season at home against intra-state rival Detroit on Saturday, April 20. In addition to the game, Grand Rapids will raise their 2001 ArenaBowl XV Championship banner to the rafters.

TEAM NOTES:

Cardiac Kids 2002: During their championship run in 2001, the Rampage rallied from behind for seven of their 11 victories, winning four games on their final offensive play. Last weekend vs. Toronto, the Rampage continued the trend as they rallied from a nine-point deficit with three minutes remaining to defeat the Phantoms 47-46 on a last second field goal by kicker Brian Gowins.

Injury Bug: The injury bug has paid an early visit to the Rampage this season as several players have already been sidelined with injuries. DS Raphael Ball (groin) and OL/DL Tyrone Rodgers (hamstring) were placed on injured reserve and will miss the first two games. DS JoJo Polk recently had his knee scoped and could miss up to three weeks and OS Corey Bridges was lost for 6-8 weeks after injuring his right knee in Saturday's game against Toronto.

Road Warriors: Last season the Rampage were one of the five teams to have a winning record on the road, winning five of seven away from the friendly confines of Van Andel Arena.

Close Calls: Both of Grand Rapids victories in Buffalo (7/20/01, 5/28/99) have been by four points or less.

Experience: With the return of OS Terrill Shaw, the Rampage now have a total of 19 players that played on last year's championship team. Currently, only five players on the Rampage roster haven't played Arena football.

Championship Staff: For the first time in five years, the Rampage returned all of their assistant coaches from the previous season. Robert Smith (asst. head coach), Sparky McEwen (offensive coordinator) and Marshall Foreman (defensive coordinator) are all back for the 2002 season.

POSITION BATTLES TO WATCH:

Offensive Specialist: Before today, the biggest question for the Rampage was, "Who will replace ArenaBowl XV MVP Terrill Shaw?" This week's question should be more like, "Who will serve as Shaw's back-up?" With newcomer Corey Bridges sidelined with a knee injury, the leading candidates are Ricky Ross, who has two-way ability as well, former Buffalo Destroyer Steve Smith and former University of Tennessee track star Jason Waters.

Defensive Specialist: All-Rookie DS JoJo Polk and Raphael Ball are both sidelined with injuries, so this is a position that a newcomer could challenge for a spot. Returning DS Joseph Todd has performed well in camp and has secured a roster spot. The others who will be looking to add their names to the list are former Houston ThunderBear Verone McKinley, Jeromy Flowers and Derek Fox. The Rampage are also expected to sign former San Jose Sabercat Terrance Joseph and former Buffalo Destroyer Mark Herron.

The Line: According to the coaching staff, the Rampage line is better than it has ever been at this point in training camp. Newcomers Madison Johnson, Israel Raybon and Tyshaun Whitson will all be vying to make the opening day lineup. Veterans Corey Mayfield, Joe Wylie, Lucas Yarnell and second year guys Rod Manuel, Rickie Simpkins and Seneca Knight have all performed well in training camp and will make it hard for the newcomers to crack the Rampage roster.

Quarterback: This is the game that will decide who will be the number two quarterback for the Rampage in 2002. Last week against Toronto, both Nick Browder, a former Destroyer, and Todd Hammel, the AFL's all-time leading passer, showed good stuff. Browder connected on 6 of 9 for 86 yards and two scores, while Hammel completed 5 of 8 for 61 yards and two TDs, including a score on his very first pass.

RETURNING PLAYERS TO WATCH: Rampage WR/LB Michael Baker : Baker returns for his fifth season with the Rampage. He is the only holdover from the 1998 inaugural team. Last season, Baker led the Rampage in catches (77), kick returns (37) and return yardage (697). He also added 721 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns.

Rampage QB Clint Dolezel: Dolezel, who just recently signed a two-year contract extension, returns for his second season with the Rampage after setting Rampage single-season records in passing yards (3,952), pass attempts (574), pass completions (364) and touchdowns (80). He also broke Rampage single-game records in passing yards (402), pass attempts (50), pass completions (35) and touchdowns (8).

Rampage WR/DB Ricky Ross: Ross, who returns for his second season with the Rampage, looks like he is ready for a break-out season based on his performance thus far in training camp and last weekend's game against Toronto. A multi-dimensional athlete, Ross is perfect for the Arena game. In his short career he has played as a receiver, defensive back, linebacker and kick returner. Last week against the Phantoms, the former Missouri Tiger caught three passes for 43 yards and a team-high two touchdowns. He also returned three kickoffs for 44 yards.

Rampage WR/DB Willis Marshall: Maybe no other offensive player, other than Ross, has had a better camp than Willis Marshall. The second-year player from Youngstown State showed glimpses of what he was capable of last season, finishing the playoffs as the Rampage's second leading receiver. Due to a knee injury, Marshall only played in seven regular season games, but still finished with 35 catches for 440 yards and five touchdowns. He also added 17 tackles and five pass deflections on defense. Against Toronto last Saturday night, Marshall led the Rampage with five catches for 66 yards.

NEW PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Rampage DS Terrance Joseph: Joseph spent the last two seasons with the San Jose Sabercats in the AFL's Western Division. He was picked up during the off-season by the Buffalo Destroyers, but was release before the team's first preseason game. In 15 games with the Sabercats, the former Tulsa Golden Hurricane intercepted three passes, broke-up 12 passes and made 34.5 tackles.

Rampage OS Steve Smith: Smith could be the one sleeper of the 2002 Rampage training camp. Sparingly used last season in Buffalo, the 5-8, 170-pound offensive specialist adds another deep threat to the already quick Grand Rapids receiving corps. In the Rampage's 47-46 last second victory, Smith caught two passes for 41 yards and a touchdown.

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

K Brian Gowins, on the importance of preseason: "These are the games where you practice what could happen in the regular season. I wasn't thinking ‘This doesn't really matter', I was thinking it was an important kick. It's nice to win these preseason games. When we win our preseason games, we generally have a good season."

Head Coach Michael Trigg, on Gowins' game-winning field goal: "I know he can hit those with the game on the line. He has an arrogance about him that leads to his confidence. He's as sharp as he has ever been right now."

On the team's defensive performance vs. Toronto: "I thought coach [Marshall] Foreman did a good job of getting them ready to communicate with each other and improve. We had a lot of concerns and trepidations on how [the secondary] would play. All in all I thought they fought well."

On the upcoming match-up against Buffalo: "I think it will be a dogfight. I expect them to play with a lot of intensity and we are going to have to come and match that."

WR/LB Michael Baker, on the win vs. Toronto: "I used this game as my championship game. I didn't get to play in [the ArenaBowl] game and this was a big opportunity to show the coaches that I am healthy, ready to play, and looking forward to a successful season."

OS Steve Smith, on returning to Buffalo after being released during the off-season: "I have nothing against Buffalo, but I need to let them know that I am here. They have to be ready for all of us on this team. We are the champions so people want to get a piece of us. They are going to get their chance."

On the team's performance vs. Toronto: "We just came out and played as a team and kept on pushing. We just knew if we stuck together and kept fighting we could win [the game]. They were not really stopping us; we were stopping ourselves."



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 8, 2002


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