Slaughter makes title game

Because decorum, tradition and just plain good manners called for it, the Chicago Slaughter and the Wisconsin Wolfpack went ahead and played the second half of their Continental Indoor Football League semifinal game Saturday night at the Sears Centre.

They really didn't have to, though, because this one was over early as the Slaughter (13-0), behind a dominant defense and the arm of quarterback Russ Michna, rolled to an insurmountable 35-7 halftime lead en route to a landslide 63-19 victory to set up a showdown with the Fort Wayne Freedom in the CIFL championship game next Saturday at the Sears Centre (7:05 p.m.).

It will be the first championship game appearance for the Slaughter, who are in their third season.

"This is exactly where we expected to be," said Michna, a product of Conant High School and Western Illinois.

"These guys are head and shoulders above the rest of the league because they come to practice and work their (rears) off," said Slaughter coach Steve McMichael, who lamented the fact that only 3,400 fans showed for Saturday's showdown. "I don't understand why in a blue collar town nobody's coming out to see this brand of football."

Those who didn't show missed a heck of a performance from Michna, who was 16-for-24 for 264 yards and 6 touchdowns, including 3 to former Rush-mate Bobby Sippio.

"Did you see that guy out there?" McMichael asked in amazement.

With the Wolfpack dispatched for the fourth time this season, Michna and Co. now switch their focus to Fort Wayne, whic advanced to the championship game courtesy of a 49-40 victory over Marion (OH) on Saturday.

The Slaughter and Fort Wayne met just once during the regular season and the only Freedom ringing was Fort Wayne's collective bell following a 56-14 thumping.