Thursday, April 24, 2008

Rampage Welcome KC in Crucial Central Division Game Friday

The Grand Rapids Rampage will welcome the Kansas City Brigade tomorrow night (April 25) in a crucial Central Division rivalry game at Van Andel Arena. With a win, the Rampage (2-5) will gain a two-game advantage over the Brigade (1-6) in the race for the American Conference's sixth and final playoff spot.

Friday night's game also marks a rematch of the Week 4 contest between the same two teams, when Grand Rapids earned a 92-52 victory in Kansas City. In that game, Rampage quarterback James MacPherson (Tucson, Ariz.) tied a team record with nine touchdown passes, as Grand Rapids set an AFL record for points scored by a visiting team. The Brigade will not be pushovers, however, as each of Kansas City's other six games have been decided by a touchdown or less.

Last week, Grand Rapids dropped its third straight game in a 55-52 heartbreaker against the Chicago Rush. Down three points, the Rampage had an opportunity to take the lead with less than a minute remaining when Rush defensive back Dennison Robinson broke up a fourth-down pass intended for Grand Rapids receiver Anthony Hines (West Palm Beach, Fla.) in the end zone.

In that same game, the Rampage lost yet another fullback to injury, as Alan Krutulis (Stewartsville, N.J.) was placed on the team's injured reserve list earlier this week. Terrell Browden (Baton Rouge, La.) will step into Krutulis' place, becoming Grand Rapids' sixth starting fullback in eight games. Meanwhile, the Rampage also signed defensive linemen Raheem Orr (Elizabeth, N.J.) and Ronnie Washburn (Forest City, N.C.) while placing offensive lineman Reggie Jiles (Birmingham, Ala.) on recallable waivers.

Rampage fans unable to make it to Van Andel Arena can hear every snap of Friday's game against the Brigade with play-by-play voice Joe Parson at RampageFootball.com beginning at 6:45 p.m. (EDT).

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