Grand Rapids Defeats LA, 66-41
Randy Snow
Tuesday February 14, 2006
It took new Rampage quarterback Chad Salisbury just two plays to find the end zone as he connected with WR/DB Timon Marshall for a 37-yard touchdown on the second play from scrimmage.
On the ensuing kickoff, Rampage FB/LB Chris Ryan caused Avengers return man Anthony Derrick to fumble the ball. Ryan then recovered the ball himself at the L.A. nine-yard line. That led to a seven-yard touchdown pass from Salisbury to OS Aaron Bailey and extended the Rampage lead to 14-0.
On their next drive, the Avengers failed to convert on fourth down deep in their own territory, so Grand Rapids took over the ball at the L.A. three-yard line. One play later, Chris Ryan scored on a three-yard touchdown run.
With the Rampage leading 21-0 late in the first quarter, it was L.A.’s turn to make a change at quarterback. Out was starter Ryan Van Dyke and in was Brian Mann.
After an L.A. touchdown early in the second quarter, Timon Marshall fumbled the ensuing kickoff but the ball landed right into the hands of Rampage FB/LB Chris Avery, who ran down the sideline for a huge gain. That drive was capped off by a nine-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Hines, giving the Rampage a 28-7 lead.
The Rampage had a comfortable 35-17 lead at halftime and by the end of the third quarter, Grand Rapids was up by 22 points, 42-20. That’s when L.A. began to mount a comeback.
The Avengers scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter and trailed by only eight points, 49-41, with one minute remaining in the game, but their onside kick attempt failed and Grand Rapids took over at the L.A. nine-yard line. That led to a 21-yard Peter Martinez field goal, making the score 52-41 in favor of the Rampage. The ensuing kickoff by Grand Rapids bounced off the iron and was picked up at the four-yard line by WR/DB Jerome Riley, who fought his way into the end zone for a Rampage touchdown. Grand Rapids was now up 59-41.
With 17 seconds remaining in the game, L.A. quarterback Brian Mann was intercepted by Anthony Hines, who ran the ball back 28-yards for the final score of the game. Grand Rapids scored 17 points in the final minute of play and secured its first win of the season, 66-41.
After the game, coach McEwen said he was pleased with the effort of his defense in the final minutes of the game. "That’s what they’re here for, so I wasn’t surprised. Obviously, when you acquire those guys via free agency as well as our defensive coordinator (Stan Davis), that’s expected. That’s the kind of football I like. That was a championship effort. I don’t know how many sacks we had, but we had a number of pressures, we intercepted the football, we made plays, and that was the biggest difference."
Rampage quarterback Chad Salisbury, making his first start for the team, completed 16 of 27 passes for 177 yards and six touchdowns. He credited his teammates for helping him get his first win in a Rampage uniform. "Those guys made great plays for me. Our wide receivers have so much talent. I think all of them had two touchdowns. The (linemen) protected great for me, I didn’t even get sacked one time. They played really well today"
For the record, Anthony Hines, Aaron Bailey and Timon Marshall did all have two touchdown receptions apiece for Grand Rapids. The Rampage also had three sacks for 14 yards.
Like coach McEwen, Salisbury also was impressed with the team’s defensive effort at the end of the game. "I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anything like that before, the way that everything just went right for us. And isn’t it about time that some things went right for us? It wasn’t all luck, but we capitalized on some situations."
Rampage fans have been waiting for a breakout game like this for quite some time now and it’s a shame that more people were not at the game to enjoy it. Fans will get a chance to rectify that next Sunday when the Rampage host another home game at the Van Andel Arena. Then the team will begin a three-game road trip that will take them through Nashville, Colorado and Las Vegas.
Game Awards
Rampage QB Chad Salisbury was named the Offensive Player of the Game. DS Johnnie Harris was named Defensive Player of the Game and WR/DB Timon Marshall was named Ironman of the Game.
Video Tribute
During the game, the Rampage honored the Caledonia Fight Scots football team for winning the Division 3 state high school football championship last November at Ford Field in Detroit. Members of the team were in attendance at the game. Caledonia is located southeast of Grand Rapids.
Record Night
FB/LB Chris Avery set a new team record, playing in his 66th regular season game for the Rampage. With the victory, the Rampage also became just the ninth team in AFL history to reach 50 wins.
Up Next
The San Jose SaberCats (1-2) come to Grand Rapids (1-2) for the first time since the 2000 season. Kickoff is set for 2:00 this Sunday.
Randy Snow covered the Grand Rapids Rampage of the Arena Football League for ArenaFan from 2003-2008. He also covered the Fort Wayne Fusion of arenafootball2 in 2007. From 2004-2008 and in 2010, he was a member of the Arena Football League Writer’s Association and, since 2011, has been a member of the Professional Football Researchers Association. Randy lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan but will travel just about anywhere for a football game or a great football story. He runs the web site www.theworldoffootball.com and hosts a podcast with his son, Adam, called “This Week in The World of Football.”
