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Rattlers Edge Rampage in Overtime Thriller, 82-81

April 19, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - For a second consecutive week, the Arizona Rattlers pulled out a thrilling overtime victory, defeating the Grand Rapids Rampage, 82-81, in front of a sold out (10,594) Van Andel Arena crowd on Saturday night. The second-highest scoring game in Arena Football League history finally came to an end in overtime when Rampage quarterback Clint Dolezel failed to get into the end zone on a two-point conversion, the team's third attempt due to consecutive Arizona penalties.

With the score knotted a 75-75 at the end of regulation, Grand Rapids won the coin toss and decided to defer to Arizona. Three plays later, Sherdrick Bonner hit Bo Kelly for a 27-yard touchdown, giving the Rattlers an 82-75 lead. Grand Rapids returned the favor with Dolezel's fourth touchdown pass of the night to Terrill Shaw, which cut Arizona's lead to 82-81. The Rampage elected to go for the win with the two-point conversion try, but the team's hopes of a fourth straight victory were denied when Arizona's defense stop Dolezel just short of the goal line. Bonner was named the game's MVP, completing 26-of-43 passes for 358 yards and nine touchdowns. Randy Gatewood and Orshawante Bryant caught four touchdowns apiece, while Kelly and John Peaua each ran for a score.

In defeat, Dolezel completed 21-of-29 passes for 331 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. Dolezel's favorite target on the night was Terrill Shaw, who caught eight passes for a game-high 173 yards and four touchdowns.

Steve Smith earned game Ironman honors, recording eight catches for 97 yards and two scores, five kickoff returns for 120 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown, and 2.5 tackles on defense.

The first quarter saw the two teams combine for only 17 points. Arizona led 10-7 after one, thanks to a 47-yard Chris Sailer field goal and a 14-yard TD pass from Bonner to Gatewood. Grand Rapids lone score of the quarter, a 4-yard Travis McDonald TD run, came with 4:08 remaining in the first frame.

Scoring picked up in the second quarter as the Rampage and Rattlers combined points shot up to 61. The two teams traded non-stop touchdowns until Rampage kicker Brian Gowins missed a 49-yard field goal to end the first half. Bonner's third TD strike of the night to Gatewood proved to be the final score of the quarter, giving the Rattlers a 44-34 halftime lead. Just over a minute into the second half, Dolezel cut the Arizona lead to 44-41 with a 33-yard TD toss to Shaw. Arizona answered with Sailer's second field goal of the night - this time from 31 yards out. Down only six, Grand Rapids took their first lead of the game, 48-47, when Smith returned the ensuing kickoff for a TD - his third of the season. The Rampage followed up the Smith return with its first defensive stop of game at the 4:07 mark of the third quarter. Three plays later, Dolezel found Damon Hodge for an 8-yard TD, giving the Rampage a 54-47 lead. Just as the buzzer sounded to end the third quarter, Bonner evened the score at 54-54 with a 20-yard TD pass to Bryant.

The two teams continued the shootout into the fourth quarter, as each team managed three scores. The most important score of the quarter came with no time remaining on the clock. With the ball on Grand Rapids' 4-yard line and only four seconds remaining in the game, Bonner sent the game into overtime when he found Gatewood in the back of the end zone.

Grand Rapids heads to Chicago next Sunday to take on the Rush in a crucial Central Division game. The game, which kicks off a 3 p.m., is scheduled to be the Rampage's second road game of the season on NBC Sports.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 19, 2003


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