Blaze gear for late run

Their energy is back. They've got a brand new quarterback with all sorts of AFL experience and records. And they find themselves in the hunt for a playoff berth.

That's the good news.

The bad news is the Utah Blaze are facing the defending ArenaBowl champions tonight as they try to keep the confidence and momentum they got last weekend alive.

"We needed a boost in momentum and we got it," Utah coach Danny White said. "Now we have to make sure we can keep it going. And it's not going to be easy."

Indeed. Colorado is one of the favorites to make a trip to ArenaBowl XX this summer. They have the second-best offense in the league and a receiver on the verge of breaking the all-time single-season touchdown mark.

To make matters worse, the Blaze feature one of the AFL's most-porous defenses and have been burned repeatedly by talented receivers such as Damian Harrell, who enters the game with 43 touchdowns and needs just four more to break the single-season record of 46.

The Crush (9-3) would hold the top seed in the conference if the playoffs were to begin today, have veteran John Dutton throwing balls and have scored 94 touchdowns this year.

The Blaze's offense might be able to match that of Colorado, though. With 92 touchdowns this year, Utah is fifth in scoring points with 54.4 per contest. Defensively, however, the Blaze are second-to-last and give up 56.2.

Last week, in a 63-61 win over Los Angeles, the Blaze had moments of quality defense. Utah held the Avengers to only field goals on the first two drives and made enough plays down the stretch, including a Justin Skaggs pass deflection on a potentially-game-tying two-point conversion, to hold on for the win.

Still, the Blaze are in desperate need of more defensive stops as the playoff chase enters the final four games.

Tied for the final spot in the six-team field from the American Conference, Utah probably needs wins in three of its final four games.

"When we started the season, making the playoffs was one of our goals," White said. "That goal is still within reach."

Quarterback Andy Kelly, signed less than two weeks ago, will make his second start for the Blaze. The AFL's all-time leading passer in yards and completions, threw for eight touchdowns in Utah's win. Siaha Burley, whose game suffered with Jason Gesser at quarterback, appears to be back in form with Kelly making the reads and throwing the balls.

His experience will be a needed asset as the Blaze will likely be forced to play a game of "who can score the most points" with the Crush.

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Blaze on the air

Utah Blaze (4-8) at Colorado Crush (9-3)

Tonight, 7 p.m.

Pepsi Center

Radio: 1280 AM

TV: None

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E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com