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Rampage Game Notes

February 25, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Grand Rapids Rampage vs. Carolina Cobras
Date: Friday, February 28, 2003.
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. (EST).
Site: Van Andel Arena (10,594).
Officials: Perry Havener (Referee), Roy Ellison (Umpire), Derrick Bowers (Head Linesman), David Meslow (Line Judge), Greg Steed (Back Judge).
Radio: WBBL 1340 AM, Joe Parson & Tom Sullivan. Coverage begins at 2:40 p.m. (EST).
TV: None.
Regular Season Series Record: Rampage lead 2-0.
Overall Series Record: Rampage lead 2-1.
Coaches: Grand Rapids, Michael Trigg (68-64 overall, 10th season). Carolina, Mike Hold (0-4, 1st season).

THE STAKES: The Rampage need a win to keep pace with the Indiana Firebirds for the Central Division lead, while Carolina would love to get their first win of 2003 in the same place they upset Grand Rapids in the playoffs last season.

THE IFs:

If Grand Rapids defeats Carolina it would...
Give the Rampage a 3-0 regular season series record with Carolina.
Give the Rampage a 3-1 all-time series record with Carolina.
Give the Rampage a 2-1 home record in 2003.
Give the Rampage a 4-1 overall record in 2003.
Give the Rampage a 3-1 record against the National Conference in 2003.
Give the Rampage a 1-1 record against the Southern Division in 2003.
Give Michael Trigg a 69-64 overall record as a coach.

HEAD COACHES:

MICHAEL TRIGG, Grand Rapids Rampage (68-64, 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.

MIKE HOLD, Carolina Cobras (0-4, 1st Season): Hold makes his AFL debut in 2003 after two seasons as head coach of the af2 Augusta Stallions. He led the Stallions to a combined 22-10 record, including a 13-3 mark and playoff appearance in 2002. Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Hold spent 12 seasons in the AFL as a quarterback. During his tenure he appeared in uniform with Chicago, Washington, Denver, Sacramento, Orlando, Connecticut, Arizona and Houston. His best year came with the Denver Dynamite in 1991, when he threw for 1,506 yards and 28 touchdowns and rushed for 13 more touchdowns. At the time of his retirement as a player in 2000, Hold was the last remaining active player from the league's first season.

RAMPAGE LAST WEEK: Tampa Bay 56, GRAND RAPIDS 58 (2-23-03) – For the past two weeks, the Rampage squeaked by opponents with last second field goals. Sunday's game turned out to be a total reversal as the Tampa Bay Storm defeated Grand Rapids, 58-56, with a 23-yard game-winning field goal from newly signed kicker Ian Howfield.

A crowd of 8,031 fans at Van Andel Arena witnessed Grand Rapids battle back from a 14-point deficit to take a one-point lead with only 49 seconds remaining in the game. The 49 seconds proved to be too much time for the Storm as they drove the ball all the away down to the Rampage 8-yard line and won the game on Howfield's field goal as the buzzer sounded.

Quarterback John Kaleo led the way for the Storm, completing 23-of-35 passes for 306 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Freddie Solomon, who was named the game's co-MVP, caught nine passes for 167 yards and two TDs.

In defeat, Clint Dolezel threw for 282 yards and seven TDs on 24-of-35 passing. He also was picked off two times in the game. Terrill Shaw shared game MVP honors with Solomon after catching nine passes for 103 yards and four touchdowns. Rampage fullback/linebacker Chris Avery was named the game's Ironman, running for a score on offense and recording a sack, two quarterback hurries and 3.5 tackles on defense.

RAMPAGE NEXT WEEK: After three straight weeks at home, the Rampage take to the road for three straight weeks. First up is the Georgia Force in a Sunday afternoon affair on NBC.

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).

RECENT MILESTONES:

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).

K Brian Gowins moved past Michael Baker for second place on the Rampage's all-time scoring list (2/1 @ Buffalo).

Gowins also moved past Remy Hamilton (current LA Avengers' kicker) to become the Rampage's all-time leader in FG attempts (2/16 vs. NY).

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

Coach Michael Trigg is just two wins from his 70th career victory. Only four other coaches (John Gregory, Tim Marcum, Perry Moss and Danny White) have reached the 70-win plateau.

LAST MEETING: Carolina 72, GRAND RAPIDS 64 (7/28/02) – The Rampage's hopes of a repeat championship were dashed as they were toppled by the Cobras, 72-64, in front of 6,759 fans at Van Andel Arena.

Carolina scored two quick TDs to begin the first quarter and refused to relinquish their lead for the remainder of the game. Former Rampage quarterback John Fitzgerald threw eight TD strikes on the night, six of which went to offensive specialist Aaron Bailey. Clint Dolezel led Grand Rapids' offensive attack with 349 yards and eight TDs on 30-of-45 passing. Dolezel's favorite targets on the night, Willis Marshall and Terrill Shaw, combined to catch 20 passes for 261 yards and five TDs.

SERIES NOTABLES:

Clint Dolezel (GR): In two regular season games and one playoff contest vs. Carolina, Dolezel has completed 74-of-119 passes for 898 yards and 17 TDs.

Brian Gowins (GR): Has connected on just one-of-four field goals in three games against Carolina, but has made 20-of-23 PATs.

Willis Marshall (GR): Recorded 23 catches for 311 yards and five TDs in three games against Cobras...Also has rushed for a score and returned nine kickoffs for 187 yards...Registered 6.5 tackles and three pass breakups on the defensive side of the ball.

Steve Smith (GR): Named game MVP in his only contest against the Cobras (5/17/02)...Recorded a game-high 11 catches for 134 yards and five TDs.

Jamaal Garman (CAR): Recorded three catches for 23 yards and a touchdown on offense and 1.5 tackles and one pass breakup on defense in his only game against GR (5/17/02).

Nick Ward (CAR): Has two catches for 20 yards on offense and two tackles and a pass deflection on defense in two games against the Rampage.

FAMILIAR FACES:

Cobras' linemen Ethan Banning and Paul Mandina have both spent time with the Rampage. Banning played in 11 games for Grand Rapids from 2000-01, while Mandina played in four games during the 2001 championship season.

Cobras' DS Derek Stingley and lineman Craig Moore spent part of training camp with the Rampage in 2003. Cobras' QB Robert Hall briefly attended training camp with Grand Rapids in 2002.

Rampage QB Clint Dolezel and Cobras' head coach Mike Hold, OS Ben Bronson, QB Robert Hall, WR/DB Bernard Holmes and WR/LB Terence Davis, were teammates with the Houston ThunderBears during the 1998 and 1999 seasons.

Rampage WR/DB Terrill Shaw and Cobras' lineman Jim Stiebel were teammates for one season (2000) with the Buffalo Destroyers.

Rampage DS Cecil Doggette and Cobras' lineman Kelvin Ingram were teammates with the Arizona Rattlers in 2001.

Rampage lineman Madison Johnson (P-Squad) and Cobras' QB Stewart Patridge (P-Squad) and WR/DB's Bernard Holmes, Tramain Jones and Nick Ward were teammates with the Florida Bobcats in 2001.

CONSECUTIVE GAME STREAKS:

FB/LB Chris Avery has rushed for at least one TD in the Rampage's last two games.

QB Clint Dolezel has thrown at least one TD pass in every game played in a Rampage uniform (32 regular season games).

WR/DB Willis Marshall has caught at least one pass in every game played in a Rampage uniform (25 regular season games).

WR/LB Ricky Ross has scored at least one TD in the Rampage's first four games of the season.

WR/DB Terrill Shaw has caught at least two TDs in the Rampage's last three games.

TEAM NOTES:

Revenge Match: In addition to running their win total to four on the season, the Rampage are also looking for some revenge from last year's first round playoff upset loss to the Cobras. The Rampage crushed the Cobras in Carolina, 64-45, during the regular season, but it was Grand Rapids' hopes of a repeat championship that were crushed when Carolina defeated the defending champs, 64-72, at Van Andel Arena on July 28, 2002.

ThunderBear Reunion: During the 1998 and 1999 seasons, the Houston ThunderBears had one of the most potent offenses in the AFL. Five of those players, Rampage QB Clint Dolezel and Cobras' head coach Mike Hold, OS Ben Bronson, QB Robert Hall, WR/DB Bernard Holmes and WR/LB Terence Davis, will be reunited on the field when the Rampage and Cobras meet.

Smith Streak Snapped: Prior to last week's game against Tampa Bay, Rampage offensive specialist Steve Smith had caught at least one TD in his last 11 regular season games.

Gowins Back on Track: After missing seven extra point attempts the past two weeks, Rampage kicker Brian Gowins rebounded by connecting on all eight of his tries this past Sunday against Tampa Bay.

Different Sides of the Offensive Spectrum: Through four games this season, the Rampage are averaging a league third-best 58.2 points per game. On the flip side, Carolina is scoring a league-low 30.5 points per.

Where's the D? Although the two teams are on different sides when it comes to record and offense, both are very similar on the defensive side of the ball. Grand Rapids is surrendering 53.0 points per game (12th), while Carolina is giving up 55.8 points per (13th).

First Half vs. Second Half: 137 vs. 75. That's the amount of total points that Grand Rapids' defense has surrendered in the first half this season vs. the second half.

Many More Happy Returns: In 15 total games last season, the Rampage only managed three returns (kickoff, missed FG, fumble or interception) for touchdowns. Already this season, 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 also returned a Colorado Crush (2/16) fumble for the first defensive TD of his career.

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 features WR/LB Damon Hodge and linemen Jason Gamble and Albert Reese. All three players have NFL experience and have shown the ability to be successful indoors.

RAMPAGE PLAYERS TO WATCH:

QB Clint Dolezel: Arguably one of the best quarterbacks in the AFL, Dolezel has helped lead the Rampage to its 3-1 record. In four games this season, the former East Texas State star has completed 93-of-142 passes for 1,063 yards and 22 TDs. Recently, Dolezel continued his attack on the AFL record book by becoming just the fourth AFL quarterback to amass 400 career TD passes.

OS Steve Smith: Smith, who caught a team-high 26 TDs in 2002, has picked up where he left off last season, recording 22 grabs for 262 yards and eight TDs in four games. The 2002 Rampage MVP caught TDs in 11 consecutive games before having his streak snapped last week against Tampa Bay.

WR/DB Willis Marshall: A second-team All-Arena selection in 2002, Marshall hasn't caught as many TDs as he'd probably like to, but he has played a major part in the Rampage's 3-1 start, recording 19 catches for 222 yards and two TDs on offense, four returns for 102 yards on special teams, and 8.5 tackles on defense.

WR/LB Ricky Ross: When Michael Baker retired and Gary Compton moved on to Tampa Bay, Ross finally received his chance to see the field on a more consistent basis. It didn't take long for Ross to assume Baker's Ironman duties. Ross has already returned a fumble, a missed field goal and two kickoffs for scores. He has also contributed 12 catches for 95 yards and two scores on offense and 12.5 tackles on defense. His efforts haven't gone unnoticed as he was named the AFL's Ironman of the Week for his performance against the New York Dragons on Feb. 16.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 25, 2003


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