Toronto Phantoms vs. Grand Rapids Rampage
April 3, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Toronto Phantoms News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Toronto Phantoms (0-0) vs. Grand Rapids Rampage (0-0)
Date: Saturday, April 6, 2002
Kickoff: 7:30 PM EST
Site: Van Andel Arena (10,424)
National Anthem: Sharron Novak
Officials: Bill LeMonnier (Referee), Dan Ferrell (Umpire), Allen Baynes (Head Linesman), Kent Payne (Line Judge), Tony Lombardo (Back Judge)
Series Record: Rampage lead 1-0
Last Meeting: Grand Rapids defeated Toronto 62-45 on Saturday, May 5, 2001 in Toronto
Coaches: Toronto Phantoms - Mark Stoute (8-6 career record, 2nd year)
Grand Rapids Rampage â Michael Trigg (54-52, 9th year)
THE STAKES: This is the first preseason game in 2002 for a pair of 2001 Division Champions. Toronto captured the Eastern Division title with an 8-6 record. Grand Rapids won the Central Division with an 11-3 record. The Rampage went on to win Arena Bowl XV.
THE SERIES: In the first and only meeting between the clubs, Grand Rapids defeated Toronto 62-45 in a game played at Air Canada Centre on May 5, 2001. This is the only scheduled meeting between the clubs in 2002.
HEAD COACHES: Toronto's Mark Stoute enters his 2nd season as the Head Coach & General Manger of the Toronto Phantoms. Stoute led the Phantoms to an 8-6 record and the 2001 Eastern Division Championship in the team's inaugural season in Toronto. Prior to his arrival in Toronto, Stoute spent 6 seasons in the Arena Football League as an assistant coach.
Grand Rapids' Michael Trigg enters his 5th season with the Rampage. In 2001, Trigg led his team to both the top record in the regular season and the Arena Bowl championship. Trigg was honoured for his efforts as the 2001 AFL Coach of the Year.
2001 REVIEW: In the team's inaugural season in Toronto, the Phantoms posted a record of 8-6 capturing the Eastern Division championship.
The Phantoms won just 3 times in the club's first 9 games, but rallied to win the final 5 games on the schedule surging to the top of the division.
Toronto emerged a winner in the first playoff game in team history, defeating the New York Dragons 64-57 on July 27, 2001. Toronto thus completed a unique 4-game sweep of the Dragons having won 1 preseason game, 2 regular season games and 1 post-season game with New York.
The Phantoms 2001 campaign came to a disappointing end on August 3, 2001 in Nashville. The hometown Kats scored a touchdown with 1 second remaining in regulation time to defeat the Phantoms 45-38.
Charlie Davidon enjoyed a most successful season in 2001, being named as a 2nd Team All-Arena WR / DB. The team captain missed 5 games due to injury during the season. In his absence the Phantoms struggled with a 1-4 record. Toronto was 7-2 in the games in which Davdison appeared.
Anthony Derricks confirmed his status as one of the league's most dangerous kick returners racking up 1606 kick return yards. Derricks finished in the AFL's top 10 in all-purpose yardage, interceptions, passes defended, tackles and fumbles recovered.
Damian Harrell emerged as the unquestioned leader of the Phantoms' receiving corps. Harrell scored a team-high 20 touchdowns and finished among the league leaders in receiving yards and receivinga yards per game.
PRESEASON HISTORY: The Toronto Phantoms have played 2 preseason games in club history.
On March 23, 2001, Toronto traveled west to face the San Jose Sabercats. San Jose emerged victorious, winning 56-33.
On April 2, 2001, 9397 curious fans turned out at Air Canada Centre to watch the Toronto Phantoms face the New York Dragons in the first Arena Football League game played in Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated New York 67-35, the first of 4 wins over New York in 2001.
LAST SERIES MEETING: May 5, 2001 - Air Canada Centre - Grand Rapids 62 Toronto 45 Toronto (ON): Game MVP Clint Dolezel threw 6 touchdown passes and ran for another score as the visiting Grand Rapids Rampage dominated the Toronto Phantoms. Dolezel completed 23 passes for 277 yards in the 62-45 win.
Grand Rapids pulled away from Toronto after the half scoring 3 consecutive touchdowns to open the 3rd quarter. Ricky Ross accounted for 2 of those scores hauling in a 19 yard touchdown pass and returning an interception 26 yards to the end zone.
Damian Harrell and Charlie Davidson both had strong outings for Toronto with more than 100 yards receiving apiece. Harrell made 8 receptions for 105 yards, while Davidson pulled in 6 balls covering 102 yards.
Harrell and Davidson both scored 2 touchdowns for Toronto, as did FB/LB Jermaine Younger. Matt George rounded out the scoring for Toronto with a 28 yard field goal in the 2nd quarter.
FAMILIAR FACES: The Phantoms new Assistant Head Coach & Defensive Coordinator Rick Frazier worked under the direction of Rampage Head Coach Michael Trigg for 3 seasons in Milwaukee. When Trigg left the Mustangs to join the Rampage, Frazier succeeded him as Head Coach in Milwaukee.
"We've got some really talented players coming in, but some of them have never played two-way football before. They have to show me they can do it all and they have to do that in a very short period of time."
Phantoms Head Coach & General Manager Mark Stoute alluding to the new players on his roster who must now adjust to the idea of playing both offence & defence. 6 of the 8 starters in an Arena Football League game are required to play both ways.
"It is absolutely critical that we get everyone on the same page right away so that we can jump on our opponents right out of the gate this season."
Mark Stoute on the importance of running an efficient training camp.
"After practice was over, I took my guys on defence aside and told them one thing. I said it's ok to be sore, it's alright to be fatigued â learn to deal with that now and learn how to focus in now and avoid making mistakes when you're tired because there's not time to learn that during the middle of the season. "
Toronto Phantoms Defensive Specialist Tommy Henry on the importance of two-a-day practices in training camp.
"Everyone is starting to think about Grand Rapids now. We want to make a run to the Arena Bowl championship this year and where better to start it than with the team that won it all last year. They'll be a good test for us to get a sense of where we are as a team."
Toronto Phantoms Wide Receiver & Defensive Back Kahlil Carter on the importance of this preseason contest.
TORONTO PHANTOMS NEXT WEEK: On Thursday, April 11, the Toronto Phantoms will kick off "Thursday Night Gridiron Madness" at the Air Canada Centre (7 PM kickoff) hosting the New York Dragons in preseason play. All of Toronto's home games this season will be held on Thursday nights. This game will be the last tune-up for each team before the regular season opens. The following week Toronto will travel to Tampa Bay to try to weather the Storm in a game set for Saturday, April 20.
TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:
The Toronto Phantoms have 17 players returning from last season's team to this year's training camp roster. Of the new players to the team, 7 are gaining their first experience in the Arena Football League.
Toronto has added some well-respected veterans to its roster. Former All-Arena performer Tommy Henry was acquired from Tampa Bay in a trade. Doug Lytle, Anthony Martin and Kahlil Carter have joined Toronto from the now-defunct Milwaukee Mustangs. Kelvin Ingram and Anthony Hicks both signed as free agents bringing a combined 9 years of AFL experience with them to Toronto.
Hicks spent last season with the Nashville Kats â the team Grand Rapids defeated to capture Arena Bowl XV.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Phantoms OS Damian Harrell: Now entering his 4th year in the league, Harrell has emerged as one of the top receivers in the game. In 2001, he led Toronto with 20 touchdowns, 98 receptions and 1340 receiving yards. He finished 2nd on the team in scoring with 122 points. Only kicker Matt George registered more points (124) than Harrell.
Phantoms QB Chad Salisbury: "Big Country" took over as the Phantoms' starting quarterback late in the 2001 season when Pat O'Hara went down with an injury. Salisbury was under centre during the Phantoms' 5 game season-ending win streak that clinched the division title. In 11 career AFL starts (with New England & Toronto), Salisbury has a record of 9 wins and just 2 losses.
The Phantoms O-line: Toronto's offensive line surrendered a league-low 8 sacks last season. Bob Landsee has joined Toronto as the new Offensive & Defensive Line Coach, the same position he had held in the previous season with the Milwaukee Mustangs. Landsee would like to help the O-line continue its outstanding play in protecting the quarterback.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 3, 2002
- O'Hara still going strong - OSC Original by Campbell Blake
- What makes minor league sports unique - OSC Original by Walter L. Johnson II
- Training Camp Notes - San Jose SaberCats
- Toronto Phantoms vs. Grand Rapids Rampage - Toronto Phantoms
- Arena Football League Transactions - AFL I
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