ìThis is an exciting time for the Utah Blaze and the whole state,î he said. ìMost of the people we hear from initially were our season ticket holders. Now weíre getting calls from the general public for general seating.î
The Blaze were all but dead in the water eight weeks ago, winless and reeling. But the team went on a roll and on May 24, the team edged the Chicago Rush 51-48 adding the possibility of earning a play-off spot to its last three games.
ìWe kept winning and that was starting to put us in a better and better position,î Jones said. ìThese last few weeks have been just wild.î
Those last three weeks have included a 63-56 win over the Grand Rapids Rampage, a nationally televised win over the Los Angeles Avengers 65-56 and then Saturdayís 62-45 win against the Arizona Rattlers.
ìWe knew we were in the playoffs if we beat Arizona,î Jones said. ìBut with other teams losing, we not only made the play-offs, but we were able to earn this home game. This is just great because the fans have never given up on us and now the community can be part of this historic run.î
No team in the Arena Football League has ever started 0-9 and come back to earn a home play-off game.
As pleased as he is with the sudden home game, Jones and the team management have also been scrambling since everything fell into place.
ìThis has been a little crazy,î Jones said. ìUsually when youíre in the play-offs you can see how things are unfolding and you can prepare, especially for home games. Since we went on this late run and earned the home game on the last of the season, itís been a crazy few days getting everything ready.
ìBut, hey. weíll take it. Weíre in the play-offs and weíre playing at home with the best fans in the league. It couldnít be any better for us right now.î
sschulte@davisclipper.com
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