Rampage wrangled, but still in playoff hunt

May 7, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


The Grand Rapids Rampage lost its final 2006 regular season road game on Sunday, 57-38, to the Austin Wranglers at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin. In spite of the loss and the Rampage's 0-8 record on the road this season, the team can still clinch its first playoff berth since 2003 with a win this Saturday, May 13th against the Chicago Rush along with some help from other teams. Official playoff scenarios will be released by the AFL office on Monday morning with complete details on what needs to happen for the Rampage to be post-season bound.

Grand Rapids' defense forced a field goal on Austin's opening possession, but failed to stop the Wranglers the rest of the game. Austin had five rushing touchdowns, three of which occurred in the first half. In the second half, the Rampage secondary had three blown coverages which led to three wide-open Wrangler touchdown passes of 45, 27 and 34 yards.

The Rampage failed to score a touchdown in the first half for just the second time in team history as it trailed 24-6 to the Wranglers after the first 30 minutes. Grand Rapids' only scores in the first half were field goals by Peter Martinez, who attempted a Rampage record-tying six field goals (he made three-of-six).

Anthony Hines paced the Rampage with a career-high 14 catches for 154 yards and a touchdown. Hines' 14 grabs are the second most in team history. On the season, Hines has 118 receptions for 1,262 yards with 22 touchdowns. Grand Rapids quarterback Chad Salisbury completed 29-of-47 for 301 yards with three TDs and no interceptions. This marks Salisbury's fourth 300-yard passing game of the season. Salisbury's other touchdown tosses went to Josh Bush and Jerome Riley.

The Rampage closed to within four points early in the second half after Salisbury connected with Hines on a 27-yard scoring strike and Chris Ryan picked up a loose ball on the ensuing kickoff for a score. However, that would be as close as it would get. Grand Rapids had six possessions that penetrated the Austin ten-yard line, but failed to score touchdowns on four of those drives. The Rampage was 3-of-11 on third downs offensively and defensively allowed the Wranglers to convert four of their five third-down attempts.

Grand Rapids closes out the 2006 regular season this Saturday, May 7 against the Chicago Rush on Centennial Wireless Field at Van Andel Arena. Kickoff is slated for 4:00 p.m. and will be televised nationwide on the Outdoor Life Network (OLN) and inHD. The Rampage is one of the hottest teams at home this season and is 7-2 in its last nine home games. Tickets for this game are available through StarTicketsPLUS (1.800.585.3737), at all Michigan Meijer locations or at The Zone (located on the west side of Van Andel Arena).



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 7, 2006


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