Rush Finally Clinch Top Seed

By: Jerome Cusson

Despite injuries, questionable focus and even problems finding a kicker, the Chicago Rush clinched the one seed in the American Conference for the first time in their eightyear history after defeating the Dallas Desperados 75-63.

With the victory, the Rush insure that the road to the Arena Bowl comes through Allstate Arena as long as the team advances. Their first game, a Divisional Round playoff game, will come on July 6 at 2:00 P.M. The following game would be July 13. For a day that started with so much doubt, it ended with a character win and more importantly, a chance to redeem themselves as the playoffs progress.

Coach Mike Hohensee talked about getting in the faces of his players this week. Hohensee said the effort was better this game and said that the expectations of this team are higher going into the playoffs. “We’re not ready to go home yet,” Coach Hohensee said.

The Rush and Desperados got things started right away. Todd France, the Rush kicker who was signed away from the Orlando Predators earlier today, had his opening kickoff just barely go off the net. Desperado kick returner Josh Bush fumbled the ball. Rush fullback and special teamer Dan Alexander quickly recovered the ball for a touchdown. Bush immediately redeemed himself by taking the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown. Bush would sadly not see the end of his game as he was injured in the third quarter with what Desperados coach Will McClay called a fractured fibula.

The Rush and Desperados went back and forth the entire first half. Both teams came into the game with a chance to be the one seed in their respective conferences. All the Rush had to do was win, while the Desperadoes had to win and have the Philadelphia Soul had to lose their game to the New York Dragons. The game had started an hour earlier, but was clearly over by the time the Rush and Desperadoes went into the second quarter. The Desperadoes made the decision to pull their starting quarterback/offensive coordinator, Clint Dolezel, once Philadelphia defeated New York.

Dolozel admitted to doing some scoreboard watching, and once the game was over, he had already discussed sitting out the second half since Dallas would end up as the three seed no matter what. Although Coach Hohensee said the Desperados didn’t quit, the energy level and sense of urgency lessened. The Rush took advantage and ultimately outscored their opponents 40-21.

Donovan Morgan, the likely choice for rookie of the year unless voters decided not to pay attention, caught nine passes for 123 yards and three touchdowns. Morgan gave a lot of the credit to his teammate and one of the best receivers in AFL history, Damian Harrell.

“I’ve learned a lot from Damian,” Morgan said, “and the one thing he keeps saying is ‘Just stay focused’.”

Rush quarterback Russ Michna has had a tendency to make at least one back-breaking mistake per game. This game didn’t feature that. Instead, Michna was about as good as you could ask for in a game of this magnitude. He threw no interceptions, but did throw four touchdown passes and ran for two more. While Coach Hohensee was proud of his team’s efforts, he also knows the road ahead. He talked about the goals of winning the division, gaining the one seed, winning the conference championship, and finally the Arena Bowl. He talked about the players having a “game of their lives.” Hohensee seemed to be motivating his team through the podium by talking about players not being satisfied with whatever “game of their life” they had in college or the professional ranks. He ended this discussion by asking a question.

“Why not make this the game of your life?”

Playoff Preview

The Chicago Rush, San Jose Sabercats, Philadelphia Soul, and Dallas Desperados will all have bye weeks by virtue of being the first or second best team in their conference. According to an Arena Football press release, here are the playoff match-ups for next week.

Friday, June 27
#6 New York Dragons (8-8) at #3 Dallas Desperados (12-4), 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Saturday, June 28
#5 Colorado Crush (6-10) at #4 Utah Blaze (6-10), 4 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Monday, June 30
#5 Orlando Predators (9-7) at #4 Cleveland Gladiators (9-7), 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
#6 Grand Rapids Rampage (6-10) at #3 Arizona Rattlers (8-8), 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

The winners of the four Wild Card games will advance to the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

Based on the formatting, the Rush could possibly play the Crush, Blaze, or Rampage on July 6. A full playoff preview will come later this week with analysis, predictions, and players to watch will come on late Thursday into early Friday. I will also include a blog entry about which team the Rush should want to play for their first game.

Instant Replay

For the first time in 22 years, Arena Football will have instant replay to help support the officiating crews in getting close calls correct. Instead of waiting until the beginning of a season, it’s being instituted at the start of the postseason. Coach Hohensee was asked his thoughts on instant replay.

“I’ve been looking forward to it for 15 years,” Coach Hohensee said. “I only wished it had been tested in af2 or the preseason instead of being thrown into postseason games. I hope it doesn’t cost a team a game.”

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Jerome Cusson is a proud graduate of Columbia College Chicago. Currently, he is a freelance writer and a contributer to such websites as The Cool Kids' Table and giveawaytheending.com. Check out his NSR blog as well.

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