Rampage News & Notes

Published on February 11, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Grand Rapids Rampage vs. New York Dragons
Date: Sunday, February 16, 2003.
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. (EST).
Site: Van Andel Arena (10,594).
Officials: William LeMonnier (Referee), Dan Ferrell (Umpire), Allen Baynes (Head Linesman), Dana McKenzie (Line Judge), Billy Beckett (Back Judge).
Radio: WBBL 1340 AM, Joe Parson & Tom Sullivan. Coverage begins at 2:40 p.m. (EST).
TV: None.
Series Record: Rampage lead 1-0.
Coaches: Grand Rapids, Michael Trigg (67-64 overall, 10th season). New York, John Gregory (72-52, 9th season).

THE STAKES: After starting the season with back-to-back road victories for the first time in team history, Grand Rapids returns home trying to improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2001, the team's championship season. If the Rampage are to return to the top of the AFL, a victory against New York on Sunday could be a step in the right direction, as four of the last five ArenaBowl champions have started the season 3-0.

THE IFs:

If Grand Rapids defeats New York it would...
· Give the Rampage a 2-0 series lead over New York.
· Give the Rampage a 1-0 home record.
· Give the Rampage a 3-0 overall record.
· Give the Rampage a 2-0 record against the National Conference in 2003.
· Give the Rampage a 2-0 record against the Eastern Division in 2003.
· Give Michael Trigg a 68-64 overall record as a coach.
· Give the Rampage their fourth consecutive home opening victory.

HEAD COACHES:

MICHAEL TRIGG, Grand Rapids Rampage (67-64, 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.

JOHN GREGORY, New York Dragons (72-52, 9th Season): Gregory has been the only head coach in the franchise's nine-year history, standing at the helm since the Iowa Barnstormers' inception in 1995 and continuing with their rebirth as the New York Dragons in 2001. Under his direction, the franchise has won four Central Division championships and qualified for the playoffs six times. The Barnstormers made it to ArenaBowls in 1996 and 1997. In 2001, the team's inaugural season in New York, he led the Dragons to an 8-6 record and a berth in the playoffs. Gregory has been named Arena Football League Coach of the Year twice (1995 and 1996). RAMPAGE LAST WEEK: Grand Rapids 57, COLORADO 55 (2-7-03) – It took everything the Rampage had to defeat the expansion Crush, 57-55, in front of 17,433 rowdy fans at the Pepsi Center. Trailing for most of the game, the Rampage used a Brian Gowins' 23-yard field goal with nine seconds remaining in the game to run their record to 2-0. Clint Dolezel led the way for the Rampage, completing 29-of-48 passes for 296 yards, five TDs and an interception. Terrill Shaw and Willis Marshall led all receivers with nine catches apiece. Shaw finished with 134 yards and two TDs, while Marshall finished with 65 yards.

RAMPAGE NEXT WEEK: The Rampage will host the four-time ArenaBowl champion Tampa Bay Storm on Sunday, February 23 at 3 p.m.

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).

UPCOMING MILESTONES:

· Coach Michael Trigg is just three 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.

· K Brian Gowins needs just one FG attempt (86 total) to become the Rampage's all-time leader in that category.

LAST MEETING: Grand Rapids 54, NEW YORK 45 (7/13/02) – The Rampage, who trailed only once in the 54-45 victor over New York, earned the right to defend their ArenaBowl XV title as they snapped a two-game losing steak and clinched a playoff berth. Game MVP Clint Dolezel paced the Rampage with a season-high 319 passing yards. Dolezel's favorite target on the night was WR/LB Gary Compton, who tallied 10 receptions for 105 yards. Travis McDonald earned Ironman honors for his 2.5 sack performance, giving him a franchise-record 5.5 sacks on the year. Chris Ryan also added his name to the record books as his 23-yard rushing performance gave him a franchise-record 129 yards on the season.

SERIES NOTABLES:

· Clint Dolezel: Earned game MVP honors after throwing for 319 yards, five TDs and no interceptions on 31-of-38 passing (7/13/02 @ New York).

· Travis McDonald: Earned game Ironman honors after recording a game-high 2.5 sacks and 3.0 tackles for loss...Added two carries for nine yards on offense (7/13/02 @ New York).

· Chris Ryan: Ran for two TDs and caught another...Finished with nine carries for 23 yards and three catches for 50 yards...Also added a tackle on defense (7/13/02 @ New York).

· Terrill Shaw: Recorded 8 catches for 79 yards and one TD (7/13/02 @ New York).

FAMILIAR FACES:

· Rampage OL/DL Eric Gohlstin and DS Shea Showers played the last five seasons with the NY Dragons/Iowa Barnstormers. CONSECUTIVE GAME STREAKS:

· QB Clint Dolezel has thrown at least one TD pass in every game played in a Rampage uniform (30 regular season games).

· OS Steve Smith has caught at least one TD in ten consecutive regular season games.

· FB/LB Chris Ryan has rushed for at least one TD in seven consecutive regular season games.

· WR/DB Willis Marshall has caught at least one pass in every game played in a Rampage uniform (23 regular season games).

TEAM NOTES:

Successful Home Openers: Only once in the Rampage's previous five seasons has the team lost its home opener. The lone loss came at the hands of the San Jose SaberCats in 1999 (53-54).

First Time for Everything: Prior to this season, the Rampage had never started the season with back-to-back road victories.

3-0 Starts: A win against New York would give Grand Rapids its third 3-0 start in the last four years (2000 & 2001).

Division Breakdown: Three of the league's five unbeatens hale from the Central Division. Grand Rapids remained atop the Central Division with Dallas and Indiana, thanks to a narrow victory over Colorado.

Michigan Connections: The Dragons' roster includes former Eastern Michigan standout quarterback Walter Church and Michigan State defensive back Donvetis Franklin.

Cream of the QB Crop: It doesn't get much better when it comes to AFL quarterbacks then Grand Rapids' Clint Dolezel and New York's Aaron Garcia. The two signal callers rank in the top five of every AFL career passing category.

Coaching Matchup: Players win championships, but coaches have a little something to do with success, especially when your talking about Michael Trigg and John Gregory, two of the winningest coaches in AFL history. The two have combined for 139 wins, three Coach of the Year Awards and an ArenaBowl Championship.

Many More Happy Returns: In 15 total games last season, the Rampage only managed two returns (kickoff, missed FG, fumble or interception) for touchdowns. Already this season, Ricky Ross has returned a missed field goal (2/1 @ Buffalo) and a fumble (2/7 @ Colorado) for scores. Chris Ryan also got into the action last week by returning another Crush fumble for the first defensive TD of his career.

16 Returnees: 16 players from last year's 8-6 squad returned to Grand Rapids. Of the 16, 11 return from the Rampage's 2001 championship team. With QB Nick Browder also back on board this season, Grand Rapids features 12 players from their ArenaBowl glory.

Defensive Upgrade: After finishing 13th in the league in total defense in 2002, the Rampage used the offseason to upgrade their defensive secondary. In to change Grand Rapids' defensive fortunes this season are veterans Cecil Doggette, Lamar Grant and Shea Showers.

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 picked up where he left off last season with an MVP performance against Buffalo (2/1). In the first two games, the former East Texas State standout has completed 53-of-81 passes for 531 yards and nine TDs. Last week, Dolezel continued his attack on the AFL record books by becoming just the fourth AFL quarterback to amass 400 career TD passes.

OS Steve Smith: Speaking of picking up where he left off last season, Smith has done just that in the Rampage's first two games, recording 13 catches for 143 yards and five TDs. Dating back to last season, the speedy receiver has caught at least one TD in 10 consecutive regular season games.

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 2-0 start, recording 11 catches for 92 yards on offense, three returns for 74 yards on special teams, and four tackles on defense.

DS Cecil Doggette: The Arizona Rattlers' career leader in nearly every defensive category was signed by GR in the offseason to help solidify a defensive unit that ranked 13th last season. Through two games this season, Doggette's signing has paid off, as the veteran defensive specialist leads the team in tackles (8) and pass breakups (3).

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

Michael Trigg: On the Colorado game: "Defensively, Colorado took it to us. They played a lot tougher than we thought they would. Anytime a team has a sold out house, players feed off that energy and play extremely tough. That's something that we are looking forward to the next three weeks as we return home."

On Sunday's game against New York: "Aaron Garcia is arguably one of the best quarterbacks in the league and he has four really good receivers to throw to. They definitely are going to challenge our secondary. This game has all the earmarkings of a shootout, but hopefully we can keep Garcia off-balance and get to 3-0."

Clint Dolezel: On the Colorado game: "This was a very frustrating game for us. Offensively, we couldn't get anything right in the first half. It just wasn't clicking for us, but we made some adjustments and fortunately we were able to come away with the win."

On Colorado's crowd: "That was one of, if not the best crowd I've ever played in front of. Our final drive was deafening. We were face-to-face and it was still tough to hear each other."

On Sunday's game against New York: "New York is known for scoring, so expect a shootout when the Dragons come into town on Sunday. If we can get a couple of stops against Aaron Garcia and that explosive offense, we will be in great position to win the game."

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 11, 2003


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