NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Rampage Playoff Run Ends, Lose to SaberCats, 81-55

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


SAN JOSE, Calif. - Grand Rapids' playoff run ended this afternoon, as the Western Division champion San Jose SaberCats advanced to ArenaBowl XXII with an 81-55 win over the Rampage in the American Conference Championship. San Jose's defense controlled the play for most of the night, helping the team jump out to a 24-point halftime lead and forcing five turnovers overall.

The Rampage defense got the game's first turnover early thanks to a strong bull rush by Zach Ville (Miami, Fla.). Grand Rapids' Mac linebacker deflected a pass attempt by San Jose quarterback Mark Grieb high into the air, and defensive lineman Donovan Arp (Murray, Utah) drifted underneath the ball for an interception. The Rampage cashed in for the game's first points when Jason Shelley (San Diego, Calif.) escaped from one tackle for a 15-yard touchdown.

San Jose responded with a defensive stop of its own. Following a Grieb seven-yard touchdown pass to Cleannord Saintil, the SaberCats forced a turnover on downs after Omarr Smith broke up a fourth-down pass intended for Rampage receiver Cole Magner (Palmer, Alaska). Jason Geathers' 14-yard touchdown grab gave San Jose its first lead of the night, 14-7, at the end of the first quarter.

The SaberCats increased their lead thanks to an interception of Rampage quarterback James MacPherson (Tucson, Ariz.) by Clevan Thomas. Grieb dumped a perfect pass into the hands of tight end Gene Frederic to extend San Jose's lead to 14 points. But a gutsy three-yard touchdown rush by MacPherson on third down capped a Rampage 49-yard drive and cut the SaberCats lead in half.

Saintil's second touchdown catch of the night gave the SaberCats a 28-14 lead with just over five minutes remaining in the second half. Then, following another San Jose interception by Smith, Saintil found pay dirt again, giving the home team its largest lead of the night. Another defensive stop and a 32-yard A.J. Haglund field goal gave the home team a 38-14 halftime lead.

Rampage defensive back and kickoff return specialist Chris Martin (Brooklyn, N.Y.), who led the AFL with six kickoff returns for touchdowns during the regular season, started the second half off with a 57-yard return for a score. Grand Rapids' defense then forced San Jose to settle for a field goal, holding the SaberCats lead to 20 points.

MacPherson got back on track on Grand Rapids' next drive, connecting with a wide open Kenny Higgins (Long Beach, Calif.) for a 31-yard touchdown pass. The Rampage defense then held strong once again, stopping SaberCats receiver Rodney Wright on a fourth-and-one rush. But MacPherson's third interception of the game halted the visitors' momentum. Saintil's fourth touchdown of the night put San Jose ahead, 48-28, at the end of the third quarter.

Higgins' second touchdown catch of the night pulled Grand Rapids within two scores once again. A failed onside kick attempt by Rampage kicker Brian Gowins (Birmingham, Ala.) was returned four yards by San Jose's Thomas to keep Grand Rapids momentarily at bay.

MacPherson's second rushing touchdown of the night, a one-yard touchdown keeper, made the score 55-42 in favor of San Jose with just under 10 minutes remaining. But the SaberCats answered once again, as Saintil pulled in his fifth score of the night to give the home team a 19-point advantage.

Grand Rapids refused to give up, as Higgins found the end zone for the third time on the night with a one-yard rush. The Rampage then seemed to regain life with a Terrell Browden (Baton Rouge, La.) interception. But Smith's second interception of the night sealed Grand Rapids' fate. Geathers scored three more times, and the SaberCats pulled away for the win.

The Rampage finished the season with an 8-11 overall record, including a 2-1 postseason mark.

• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...

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


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Grand Rapids Rampage Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central