After a bye week, Rush says hello to playoffs again

The Chicago Rush opened the season with 4 straight victories, but after being hit hard by injuries to key players, the team dropped three of its last four regular-season games.

Still, the Rush (10-6) qualified for the Arena Football League playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the National Conference.

Its first-round opponent is the second-seeded host Milwaukee Iron (11-5) at 7 p.m. Saturday. The teams split a pair of games this season.

Veteran leaders such as linebacker/wide receiver DeJuan Alfonzo and offensive and defensive lineman Joe Peters give the Rush reasons for postseason optimism.

"This is like the 2006 season," Alfonzo said. "We had a lot of players get hurt, a lot of starters, but we kept fighting. The coaches got us prepared."

The Rush this year has lost starting quarterback Russ Michna (broken rib), wide receiver Kenny Higgins (foot) and offensive lineman Shawn McMackin (knee).

"Injuries don't make it easy, but things happen," Peters said. "The coaches have done a great job; they've found players to fit in."

Also, wide receiver Samie Parker left to rejoin the United Football League, and fullback Robert Boss accepted a coaching position at his alma mater, Northern Michigan.

Rush coach Mike Hohensee believes the players who have been around all season have what it takes to be successful in the playoffs.

"The guys that have been here carry on the message from the first meeting on, what it takes to win a championship, working hard off the field, being a great teammate and welcoming new guys," he said.

The Rush enjoyed a bye last week, its first week off after a stretch of 12 straight games. "It was the difference between dressing 18 players or dressing the full 20," Hohenesee said. "It allowed us to get partially healthy."

Quarterback J.J. Raterink (14 touchdowns, 2 interceptions) will make his first AFL playoff start on Saturday night. Among his favorite targets are Syvelle Newton (41 catches, 12 TDs), Nichiren Flowers (61, 17) and Alan Turner (58, 12).

"We turned it up this week in practice," Alfonzo said. "It almost was like an 11-on-11 scrimmage."

"The guys needed to understand what the playoffs will be about," Hohensee said. "Things got a little chippy (in practice), but we need to be physical for four quarters. The team that won the championship from 2005-2008 was the most physical. The team needs to get that in their heads."