Sports stats



Rampage, Sabercats Set to Rumble out West

May 1, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Grand Rapids Rampage will attempt to snap out of their recent two-game slump and regain a hold on the Central Division lead as they square off with the defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose Sabercats on Saturday night at the HP Pavilion. A victory would secure the Rampage's fifth consecutive playoff appearance.

The meeting is vital to both squads as each battle for division titles and playoff position. Currently, Grand Rapids (8-5) and San Jose (9-4) are among a group of seven teams with a record of 8-5 or better that are jockeying for the top four playoff seeds and a first-round playoff bye in the Drive to ArenaBowl XVII.

Following their disappointing loss at the hands of the Chicago Rush this past weekend, the Rampage find themselves deadlocked with the Dallas Desperados atop the Central Division. The two teams will square off in the teams' regular-season finale on Sunday, May 18 in a game that could have multiple implications.

The Rampage must rely on their revamped defensive core to slowdown San Jose, who currently lead the league with an average of 62.8 points per game.

Live radio coverage of Saturday night's action can be heard beginning at 10:10 p.m. on WBBL 1340 AM. Tom Helmer, formerly of WZZM-TV 13, will join veteran Rampage analyst Tom Sullivan for the broadcast.

The 2003 season marks the historic debut of the AFL on NBC. NBC Sports will televise up to 70 games, including all playoff games and ArenaBowl XVII on June 22. The network's coverage this week includes: Arizona at Los Angeles, Tampa Bay at Dallas and Georgia at Indiana.

RAMPAGE/SABERCATS QUICK FACTS

* Grand Rapids is 4-3 in road games this season.

* Defensive Specialist Mark Ricks needs just one interception to break the franchise single-season record (Michael Baker, 5 - 1999).

* Offensive Specialist Terrill Shaw needs just four touchdowns to become the Rampage's all-time (Thomas Bailey - 71) and single-season touchdown leader (Bailey - 37, 1999).

* San Jose currently holds a 4-0 series advantage, however, the two teams have not met since June 29, 2000 (San Jose 52, Grand Rapids 32).

* The Sabercats hold the league's best record since the onset of the 2001 season at 32-9 (.780). Grand Rapids is tied for third with a 27-14 (.659) mark.

* Including the postseason, San Jose has won 19 of their last 20 home contests.

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

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 1, 2003


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