Dicken Goes Up Against Rampage Line
Mary-Ann Williams
Saturday May 19, 2001
The Rampage have yet to drop a game, and they’re not looking to let the Chicago expansion team be their first. Grand Rapids coach Michael Trigg knows what to expect and thinks his team is up for the challenge.
”I look for them to be confidant,” said Trigg. “[Coach Hohensee] went out and got quality veterans and built around them. I expect to go out and play aggressively and win.”
Trigg credits his team with the edge on defense at the same time that he gives Dicken and the Rush line the edge on offense. Not to say he has little confidence in Rampage QB Clint Dolezel. Dolezel has shown tremendous talent this season with a team finally able to back him up and trust his choices.
“We’ve tried to let him have a lot of say in what plays he runs,” said Trigg. “I think he enjoys that kind of freedom a little bit. He hasn’t been knocked around so much, so he may have a little more confidence in his team protecting him.”
The Grand Rapids defense boasts FB/LB Chris Ryan, OL/DL Tony Bowick, and WR/DB Willis Marshall. This tough crowd has managed to keep their opponents in the forties all season with only one exception, a tail-biting 60-59 win over Indiana. Trigg’s looking to them to hold Dicken down.
Coach Hohensee isn’t so worried, though. A strong showing last week against the Firebirds has given his team a little encouragement.
“We showed that we can beat Indiana; now we just have to show we can beat Grand Rapids,” said Hohensee. “I’m hoping we can build on last week’s win.
“They’ve got a great man-to-man defense and they’re a big threat offensively. Dicken has great decision-making skills. He’s great at getting rid of the ball. He’s created that confidence in his team.”
The Rush have a long way to go before they can claim a winning season, and they hope to build on their win-loss with the Rampage. The Rampage can brag about the best opening record in franchise history, on par with expected ArenaBowl XV contenders Tampa Bay.
Mary-Ann Williams lives in Chicagoland with her four children, Carter, Jackson, Jeremy, and Riley Jade. As a freelance writer, she`s written articles for the Associated Press, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and the Daily Herald. She also serves as editor of the AFL-side of Arenafan Online, and covers the Chicago Rush.
