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Rampage Offense Slowed by New York in 63-34 Defeat

April 5, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


NEW YORK - Grand Rapids' up-and-down season continued tonight, as the Rampage failed to score a first-half point before eventually falling to the New York Dragons, 63-34. After winning their previous two games by a combined 65 points, the Rampage now fall to 2-3 on the season overall.

Grand Rapids' offense, which set an AFL record with 176 combined points in its previous two outings, stumbled against a Dragons squad ranked first in the league in pass defense. Quarterback James MacPherson (Tucson, Ariz.) threw three first-half interceptions and fumbled once more, as the Rampage failed to score in two straight quarters for the first time since an April 5, 2005, loss to the Nashville Kats.

New York Jack linebacker John Walker began a monstrous night on Grand Rapids' opening drive, intercepting MacPherson to set up a Dragons touchdown reception by Chris Anthony. Walker earned Defensive Player of the Game honors after recording a pair of interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.

On Grand Rapids very next possession, Walker tipped another MacPherson pass attempt high into the air, where it fell into the waiting hands of Levy Brown. Keron Henry's touchdown grab then extended the home team's lead to 14-0. New York continued its defensive dominance on the next drive when Farouk Adelekan sacked MacPherson and forced a fumble. Jason Willis' 16-yard reception from quarterback Aaron Garcia gave the Dragons a 21-0 lead after one quarter.

The Dragons continued to roll in the second quarter, using a Terry Moss touchdown catch and a Garcia two-yard scoring scramble to build a 35-0 first-half advantage. The Rampage offense continued to struggle, failing to score on two trips inside the New York red zone.

After a pair of third-quarter touchdowns by New York's Anthony and Walker, Grand Rapids finally got on the board, rattling off 21 straight points to narrow the Dragons lead to 49-21. Jermaine Lewis (Waukegan, Ill.) made an acrobatic leaping grab for the Rampage's first score of the night. On the ensuing kickoff, William "Roc" Haith (Washington, D.C.) made a net recovery and spun into the end zone, marking Grand Rapids' third such score on the season. Then, Fitu Tu'ua (Oceanside, Calif.) caught a fullback screen and rumbled 19 yards for the visitors' third consecutive touchdown.

Dragons receiver Anthony, who finished the night with a game-high four touchdown catches, halted the Rampage comeback with a six-yard score to close out the third quarter. Grand Rapids defensive back Ahmad Hawkins (Hampton, Va.) answered, however, pulling down his second interception of the game and returning it 42 yards for a touchdown to cut the Rampage deficit to 28 points once again.

Each team traded touchdowns as the game wound to a close. Following another Anthony score, Rampage receiver Kenny Higgins (Long Beach, Calif.) spun free from a tackle for a 27-yard touchdown of his own. Higgins finished the night as the team's leading receiver with 140 receiving yards on nine catches.

Grand Rapids will bring its 2-3 record back home next Sunday (April 13) to host the Orlando Predators. Meanwhile, the 2-4 Dragons will stay home next Sunday to host the Columbus Destroyers.

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