Dismal Season Finally Over in Grand Rapids
Randy Snow
Monday May 31, 2004
Early in the game, both teams appeared to be simply going through the motions, wanting nothing more than to end both of their disappointing seasons, but both teams’ pride and emotions showed up in the second half and the game turned into the kind of slugfest fans have come to expect from this cross-state rivalry.
Detroit (5-11) jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, but Grand Rapids (1-15) battled back to tie the game in the third quarter, 40-40, after a missed extra point that would have given the Rampage the lead. Grand Rapids did take the lead, 47-43, later in the third quarter when FB/LB Michael Blair ran the ball in for his second touchdown of the game.
On the ensuing kickoff, Detroit fumbled the ball and Grand Rapids recovered. With the ball on the Detroit eight-yard line, the Rampage were poised to add to their four-point lead, but Rampage QB Anthony Buich threw an interception on the first play from scrimmage. Detroit regained the lead 50-47 in the fourth quarter on a quarterback keeper by Andy Kelly, who was named Offensive Player of the Game.
On Grand Rapids’ next drive, Buich tried to match Kelly’s touchdown with one of his own. He ran the ball on three straight plays, but, unfortunately, his quarterback sneak from the one-yard line resulted in a fumble that turned the ball over to the Fury.
Detroit increased their lead to 57-47 on the ensuing drive when Kelly connected with OS Thabiti Davis for a 31-yard touchdown on a fourth down play. Rampage defensive specialist Cecil Doggette was furious, claiming that Davis had pushed off of him to make the reception. He made his opinion known to the officials in no uncertain terms. Doggette was subsequently ejected, but that didn’t stop him from being named Defensive Player of the Game.
Grand Rapids was down 57-54 with under a minute to play after Detroit WR/LB Junior Lord fumbled the ball and Grand Rapids recovered inside their own five-yard line. However, Lord put the final nail in the Rampage coffin when he intercepted a Buich pass and ran it eight yards into the end zone for the final score of the game.
Rampage rookie WR/DB Josh Bush saved his best game of the season for last. He had three catches for 84 yards and a touchdown, a 57-yard kickoff return for another touchdown, the first of his career, and he also broke up a couple of passes on defense that would have otherwise resulted in touchdowns by Detroit. For his efforts, Bush was named Ironman of the Game.
“I’ve been watching (Rampage offensive specialist) Steve Smith return kicks all year, so I just tried to do what I’ve seen him do all year,” said Bush. “Once you see a crease you’ve got to hit it, so that’s what I did. I used my speed to cut back across the field and ended up getting into the end zone.”
And so ends the worst season in Rampage history. Outside of a few bright spots, like rookie Josh Bush, the team now has roll up its sleeves and go to work to rebuild the franchise to the glory of its 2001 championship season.
Pre-Game Party
In a fitting example of just how things have gone for the Rampage this season, the pre-game street party on Fan Appreciation Night had to be moved into the lobby the Van Andel Arena because of a drizzling rain. I guess the black clouds that have hung over the team all season long decided to remain right to the bitter end.
Most Points
Grand Rapids broke the 50-point mark for only the second time this season. The last time they reached the half-century mark was in a 66-50 loss to the Dallas Desperados back on March 6th in Texas.
Detroit Moving?
There is talk that the Detroit Fury may not return next season and could even be moving to Cleveland. If that is the case, Grand Rapids will once again be the only Arena Football team representing the state of Michigan.
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.”