Rampage to face Arizona Monday night in AFL wild card matchup

Sunday June 22, 2008

Grand Rapids Will Appear on ESPN2 Beginning at 9:30 p.m. EDT

GRAND RAPIDS – After winning their final three games of the regular season, the Grand Rapids Rampage (6-10) will make their first Arena Football League postseason appearance since 2003 next Monday night (June 30) in Phoenix against the Arizona Rattlers (8-8). The American Conference Wild Card matchup will kick off at 9:30 p.m. EDT and will be broadcast live on ESPN2.

The Rampage earned the American Conference’s sixth and final playoff seed after knocking off the Colorado Crush, the Columbus Destroyers and the New Orleans VooDoo in the final three weeks of the regular season. The strong finish marked the team’s first three-game winning streak since 2003 and included back-to-back road wins for the first time in five seasons.

Grand Rapids traveled to Arizona earlier this season, dropping a heartbreaking 52-48 decision after failing to capitalize on a last-minute potential game-winning drive. The Rampage enter next Monday night's matchup red-hot, however, while the Rattlers have dropped their last two games, both at home.

Additional AFL Wild Card matchups this weekend include the New York Dragons (8-8) traveling to take on the Dallas Desperados (12-4), the Colorado Crush (6-10) visiting the Utah Blaze (6-10), and the Cleveland Gladiators (9-7) welcoming the Orlando Predators (9-7).