GRAND RAPIDS-The Grand Rapids Rampage kept pace with the Albany Firebirds in the AFL Eastern Division by defeating the New York Dragons in Week 11 by a score of 22-7.
The Rampage got it started when Theodore Kile fielded the opening kickoff and returned it 86 yards to the Dragons' 6-yard line. Four plays later, Herbert Shipley scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to give Grand Rapids a 7-0 lead with 13:49 remaining in the first quarter. Following a three-and-out, The Rampage went 50 yards on 5 plays, and George Tibbs kicked a 24-yard field goal to make it 10-0 with 8:54 left in the first.
After trading punts, New York had a chance to get on the board. But Jose Trust missed a 40-yard field goal attempt. The Rampage would punt on their next drive, but Freddy Ashercraft spoiled a 42-yard punt return with a fumble. Deion Fish would recover for Grand Rapids at their own 38-yard line. Curtis Wayne would later be picked off by Vance Bicker who returned it 20 yards to the Rampage 36-yard line. But Trust missed another field goal, this time from 44 yards out. Grand Rapids appeared on the verge of scoring near the end of the second quarter, but Toby Harrell would fumble and Bill Sharp recovered for New York at their own 2-yard line, and there was no scoring in the second quarter.
The Dragons opened the second half with a punt, then the Rampage drove 57 yards on 12 plays. Tibbs would kick another 24-yard field goal to extend the lead to 13-0 with 7:17 remaining in the third quarter. Orville Brill would intercept a Faron Emerson pass and return it 13 yards to the New York 36-yard line. Three plays and nine yards later, Tibbs would connect on a 44-yard field goal giving Grand Rapids a 16-0 lead with 4:20 remaining in the third.
Following a punt by Tyrell Tadwell that he placed on the Rampage 1-yard line, Grand Rapids marched 90 yards on 15 plays. Tibbs put a cap on the nine-minute drive with a 26-yard field goal to make it 19-0 with 6:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Dragons finally got something going offensively with a 13-play, 80-yard drive. Emerson would hit George Larron for a 5-yard touchdown pass to make it 19-7 with 2:16 left in the game. An onside kick failed, and Grand Rapids had a 5-play, 8-yard drive that ended with a 52-yard field goal by Tibbs to make it 22-7 with 56 seconds left.
Grand Rapids (6-5) gained 308 yards of total offense. The Rampage ran for 125 yards on 36 carries. Shipley led the team with 61 yards on 13 carries and a TD. Wayne was 20-of-30 passing for 202 yards and an INT. He was sacked twice, losing 19 yards. Bud Tyrer was the leading receiver with 7 catches for 97 yards. The Rampage visit the Nashville Kats next week.
New York (2-9) gained 216 yards of total offense. The Dragons ran for 61 yards on 19 carries. Paden Caspar led the teams with 25 yards on 6 carries. Emerson was 20-of-33 passing for 181 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 26 yards. Elvis Darnell led the receivers with 5 catches for 59 yards. Next week, the Dragons visit the Tampa Bay Storm.
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