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Rampage Sunk By Destroyers 59-28

May 14, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


Two Columbus onside kicks and the ensuing scores resulted in a 20-0 Destroyers advantage before the Rampage took their first snap. The twenty-point deficit was too much to overcome as Grand Rapids lost 59-28 Friday night.

After scoring first on a lobbed two-yard touchdown from Offensive Player of the Game Ryan Vena to Gunnard Twyner, the Destroyers caught the Rampage off guard with an onside kick. Game Ironman Cornelius White scooped up the kick and five plays later he finished the drive with a 17-yard scoring strike from Vena.

Destroyer kicker Steve Videtich squibbed the ball a second time with Titcus Pettigrew recovering it. Pettigrew ended the drive two plays later when he weaved through the Rampage defense, dodging would-be tacklers for a 37-yard touchdown.

Grand Rapids took their first offensive snap with 3:28 remaining in the first quarter and impressively drove down the field 47 yards concluding with Michael Blair bowling over three Destroyers defenders for a six-yard rushing touchdown.

Columbus went right back down the field to go ahead 27-7 as Vena and White connected on an 18-yard score. Four plays into the Rampage's second drive of the game, Steve Smith took a short pass and fell down untouched at the Grand Rapids 16. He would be helped off the field and would not return. Initial reports are a sprained ankle - an MRI is schedule for Monday for more conclusive details.

Consequently, the Rampage turned the ball over on downs three plays later. The Destroyers quickly made it 33-7 as Vena rumbled in from a yard out. It was 35-7 after Jamarr Ward sacked Anthony Buich for a safety on the Rampage's next offensive snap.

When it seemed like something on special teams was going to go Grand Rapids' way, another mistake gave the ball right back to Columbus - first Cecil Doggette forced a fumble and recovered it at the Destroyers three, however, Chris Avery fumbled on the very next play.

The turnover did not created any points as the Destroyers turned the ball over on downs with just seconds left in the half. There was enough time though for the Rampage to get on the board on Buich's 27-yard strike to Travis Burns. The Destroyers would end the half with a 42-yard field goal and led 45-14 going into the fourth after shutting out the Rampage in the third quarter.

Both teams traded scores twice in the final stanza to end it. The loss secures the worst record in the AFL this season for the Rampage as no other team can lose 13 games (Carolina and Detroit have four wins each).

Grand Rapids is on the road again next Saturday, May 22 when they travel to Charlotte to take on the Carolina Cobras. Kickoff is slated for 7:30pm and can be heard on WBBL 1340 AM.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 14, 2004


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