Rush End Rampage Playoff Hopes, 70-47
Randy Snow
Monday May 15, 2006
Grand Rapids knew going into the game that in order for them to make the playoffs, they needed to beat the Rush by eight points or more. The Rampage trailed 21-7 early in the second quarter but managed to pulled within four points of the Rush on their next two possessions. A 19-yard Peter Martinez field goal and a 15-yard touchdown grab by OS Anthony Hines, that came on a fourth and 11 play, left Grand Rapids trailing by the score of 21-17 late in the second quarter. However, that was as close as the Rampage would get to the Rush the rest of the game. Grand Rapids trailed 35-17 at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Rampage added a 21-yard Martinez field goal and a 17-yard touchdown by WR/DB Josh Bush, but still trailed the Rush by the score of 50-27 heading into the final quarter. Both teams put up 20 points in the final 15 minutes and the Rush cruised to a victory and a playoff spot.
In the game, Bush caught 13 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown while teammate WR/DB Timon Marshall caught 8 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown. The 13 catches by Bush was a single-game high for the third year player from nearby Western Michigan University. Marshall set a new Rampage single-season record for all-purpose yardage in a season with 2,734 yards. He also led the league in all-purpose yardage this year as well.
Rampage QB Chad Salisbury completed 30 of 49 passes for 300 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions against Chicago. His counterpart, Rush QB Matt D’Orazio, was 18 of 29 passing for 189 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. The only stat that really mattered on this day, however, was the final score.
At a press conference after the game, Rampage head coach Sparky McEwen addressed the media. "Obviously, we’re very disappointed that we didn’t end the season the way we would have liked to. Last year, (at the end of the season) we were playing the spoiler role and at this point in time this year, we were playing for a playoff spot. Clearly progress has been made. We didn’t come out and do the things we had game planned to do. Give the Chicago Rush credit, because they played a whale of a ball game."
While the Rampage did not live up to their expectations this year, several players had great individual seasons. WR/DB Timon Marshall showed he is a rising star on the team and Josh Bush continues to improve in all facets of the game. QB Chad Salisbury threw for 300 yards or more in five games this season. The defense got a much-needed shot in the arm from new defensive coordinator Stan Davis and the kicking game has improved with the maturing of kicker Peter Martinez.
In 2007, the Rampage will be the celebrating their 10th season in the league. Hopefully, they will add a few more key players during the off-season and be able to challenge for a division title next year.
U.S. Army Induction Ceremony
Prior to the game, twenty-five young men and women took the Oath of Enlistment and were sworn into the United States Army during an induction ceremony that took place on the field. Good luck to all of them as they begin their military careers.
National Anthem
Natalie Tidwell-Martin sang the National Anthem before the game. She is the wife of Rampage OL/DL Tim Martin. This was the first time she has performed at a Rampage game, but this was not the first time she has sung the anthem at an Arena game. She has performed the song at a New Orleans VooDoo game, a Dallas Desperados game and a Chicago Enforcers XFL game, all teams that her husband has played for.
Next Season
The Rampage will be switching benches at Van Andel Arena next season. It will give the team easier access to the locker room during the game.
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.”
