Horsemen foe fighting for playoff spot

By Rick Bailey - rbailey@herald-leader.com

On the one hand, Lexington is in, as in the arenafootball2 playoffs.

On the other hand, Lexington is likely out, as in hosting a first-round playoff game the weekend of Aug. 1-3.

Thursday
Lexington Horsemen at Quad City Steamwheelers
When: 8 p.m.
Records: Horsemen 9-6; Steamwheelers 7-8
Radio: WVLK-FM 101.5, WVLK-AM 590

On the one hand, a Quad City win over the visiting Horsemen in Thursday night's regular-season finale would put the Steamwheelers in the playoffs.

On the other hand, the Steamwheelers will miss out on the playoffs with a loss and a Louisville Fire victory over Peoria on Saturday.

“The only way we can host is if we win and three other teams were to lose,” Horsemen Coach Mike Harmon said. “I don't think that will happen.”

Last week, Lexington (9-6) was in good position to play at least once in Rupp Arena, holding a one-game lead over Green Bay and the tiebreaker in the American Conference's Midwest Division.

But an unexpected loss to Iowa and a Blizzard victory over Louisville dropped the Horsemen to sixth in the conference playoff standings.

Harmon expects his squad to respond in its last regular-season game as an af2 expansion team.

“They're all professionals,” Harmon said. “They understand what they have to do and how to do it. Mentally, they're a little better.”

The Horsemen lost fumbles on the opening kickoff and first offensive play and trailed 13-0 after two minutes. They tied the score twice in the second half before Iowa tallied the last 10 points.

Quad City (7-8) will challenge Lexington with the league's second-best passing offense.

“They've been around forever, one of the original teams (in 2000),” Harmon said. “They do a good job exploiting your weaknesses, and they're very efficient in what they do.”

Protecting the ball is Harmon's main concern.

“Every game we've protected the football we've won,” he said. “Every game we've not protected it we've lost. We can't fumble.”

Notes

Lexington receiver John Cooper won't play because of a strained neck muscle. ... Receiver Chad Spencer is back after missing last week with a thigh bruise. ... The Horsemen have brought in defensive lineman Cliff Dickson, who played at Florida State.