Rush clinches homefield advantage for playoffs

Using one of its best offensive performances of the year, the Chicago Rush clinched homefield advantage throughout the Arena League playoffs with a 75-63 win over the Dallas Desperados at the Allstate Arena on Sunday.

After a bye week next week, the Rush (11-5) will host a divisional-round playoff game July 6, and if it advances, the American Conference Championship on July 13.

"We knew what was on the line today and we asked the guys to play the game of their lives," said Rush coach Mike Hohensee. "I know we are looking forward to a week off and then coming back healthy on July 6 as we try to get back to the ArenaBowl."

After an entertaining and explosive first half in which the teams left the field tied at 35-35, Rush QB Russ Michna opened the third quarter by directing the Rush on a 7-play, 47-yard drive that culminated with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Damian Harrell to give the Rush a 42-35 lead -- one they wouldn't relinquish.

Like the Rush, Dallas (12-4) was playing for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. However, for the Desperados to gain the No. 1 seed in the National Conference, they would need a loss by Philadelphia against New York along with the road win over the Rush. In a game that started an hour earlier in New York, Philadelphia dominated and had locked up a 59-30 victory by the early part of the third quarter in Chicago.

Once that score was announced, Dallas coach Will McClay pulled starting quarterback Clint Dolezel in order to preserve him for the playoffs.

It was all Rush from there.

"The offensive line did an outstanding job," said wide receiver Donovan Morgan, who had 9 receptions for 123 yards and 3 TDs. "Those guys came to play and really worked their butts off."