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Salisbury's Return Sparks Rampage 66-53 Victory over New York

April 7, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Rampage quarterback Chad Salisbury (Perryopolis, Pa.) entered the 2007 season as Grand Rapids' starter before suffering a concussion in the team's opening game. He returned to the turf with a bang tonight, however, leading the Rampage to a 66-53 victory over the New York Dragons on Centennial Wireless Field at Van Andel Arena.

Salisbury threw for a career-high eight touchdowns in the victory, totaling 260 total yards and zero interceptions. Meanwhile, Grand Rapids all-purpose yards leader and AFL kickoff return leader Timon Marshall (Kingston, Jamaica) collected 92 receiving yards, 116 return yards, and 10 rushing yards, further establishing himself as one of the game's most electric players.

The Rampage defense, which had surrendered the most points per game in the Arena Football League entering the contest, made several key stops throughout the night, keeping Grand Rapids on top for most of the night.

"We started executing our game plan," said Sparky McEwen, Rampage head coach and director of football operations. "We really wanted to be physical with the New York Dragons receivers. I don't think I can remember a game where we had so many big hits."

New York scored the game's first points when receiver Mike Horacek slipped behind Angel Estrada (Bronx, N.Y.) for a 30-yard touchdown. Estrada rarely allowed Dragons receivers past him again, making nine tackles and earning Defensive Player of the Game honors against his old team. Estrada played the 2006 season in New York before joining the Rampage this year.

Salisbury returned to action in style two plays later, dropping a beautiful bomb over the outstretched arms of New York defensive back Ifeanyi Ohalete and into the hands of Ronney Daniels (Lake Wales, Fla.).

Dragons quarterback Rohan Davey showcased his mobility on the next drive. Under pressure, the 6-2, 245-pound Louisiana State University product scrambled out of the pocket and raced 30-yards to give the visitors a 14-7 lead.

Grand Rapids responded in explosive fashion thanks to a big block from fullback/linebacker Chris Ryan (Lake Charles, La.). Immediately after taking the snap, Salisbury flipped the ball out to Timon Marshall (Kingston, Jamaica) who reversed field. As the AFL's defending all-purpose yards champion raced towards the end zone, Ryan leveled an unsuspecting Dragons defender, freeing his teammate for the game-tying score.

After holding New York on a fourth-and-goal play, the Rampage responded on a beautiful 30-yard touch pass from Salisbury to Jerome Riley (Los Angeles, Calif.), giving Grand Rapids its first lead of the game. Riley earned the night's Ironman of the Game award, logging 2.5 tackles and playing a solid jack linebacker position.

Davey led the visitors to another score with a laser-like eight-yard pass that Horacek pulled down in the end zone. New York kicker Carter Warley missed the extra point, however, making the score 21-20 in favor of Grand Rapids.

Salisbury sent the Rampage to their biggest lead of the night to that point with another strike to Riley. Following the play, the Grand Rapids signal caller raised his arms to pump up the 6,852 cheering fans, as the Rampage led, 28-20.

Horacek continued his solid performance (11 receptions, 157 yards, five touchdowns), running a flag route to perfection and bringing in his third touchdown of the night. But the Rampage answered once again, as Salisbury found a wide open Scotty Anderson (Jonesboro, La.) in the corner of the end zone to restore Grand Rapids' eight-point advantage. The Rampage held the Dragons once again to close out the half ahead, 35-27.

Grand Rapids remained hot after the break, as Marshall pulled in his second touchdown of the game from 10 yards out to give the home team a two-score lead. After a Will Holder touchdown catch for the Dragons, Rampage receiver Daniels shook a pair of defenders and raced 27 yards to push the lead to 49-34.

One of the Rampage's newest additions, defensive lineman Bryan Henderson (Cincinnati, Ohio), made the game-changing play of the night with less than four minutes remaining in the third quarter. New York fullback Ja'Mar Toombs took a sweep left, but fumbled the ball as he fell to the turf. Henderson scooped up the pigskin and rumbled 41 yards to put Grand Rapids up by 22 points.

Each team traded scores early in the fourth quarter, as the Dragons' Horacek and the Rampage's Marshall made the score 63-41 with 12 minutes to play. New York mounted a late comeback, scoring once and forcing a missed field goal by Rampage kicker Brian Gowins (Birmingham, Ala.). Davey's subsequent touchdown completion made the score 63-53 and gave the Dragons a chance to get within one score with a successful two-point conversion. Davey's pass fell incomplete, however, keeping the Rampage advantage at 10.

Gowins tacked on a late field goal to secure Grand Rapids' second win of the season and first at home. The Rampage moved to 2-3 on the season, while the Dragons fell to 1-4.

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