Blaze in playoffs

When Steve Videtich booted an extra point with 5.7 seconds left to give the Utah Blaze a 55-54 lead Friday night in the Delta Center, it was still far too early for the team and its fans to celebrate.

It wasn't until Kansas City Brigade kicker MacKenzi Hoambrecker's 56-yard field goal attempt fell just short on the final play of the game that the Blaze could breathe easy. Then it was time for fireworks and celebrations.

The Blaze, in their first year in existence, qualified for the Arena Football League playoffs. Utah's one-point home victory in front of a sellout crowd of 16,855 clinched a postseason berth in the regular season finale.

Utah must now wait for tonight's games to find out who and where they will play — but they know that they are in the playoffs no matter what.

"I knew we could do it," said emotional lineman Hans Olsen, trying to hold back tears seconds after the victory was secured. "Here we are, man, we're in the playoffs. First year of a franchise and to do it for all of these fans — it's just been incredible. That last play was so loud that the kicker didn't have a chance."

Blaze quarterback Andy Kelly hit Tom Pace over the middle from 4 yards out with 5.7 seconds left to tie the game, 54-54. Videtich's extra point was true, and the Blaze had the lead.

"No pressure at all," said Videtich of his game-winning extra point.

"It is a great feeling that we were able to pull that one out and win this one," said Pace. "It's a confidence builder for us to be able to win a close one."

Things didn't look too promising for the Blaze late in the fourth quarter. The teams had been trading the lead all game long, but Kansas City, nursing a 48-45 lead, broke serve with 5:50 to play, holding the Blaze on downs at the eight-yard line.

But, for just the second time all game, the Blaze defense came through with their own defensive stop, with three minutes to play.

Once again, however, the Blaze were unable to score a go-ahead touchdown. Videtich nailed a 26-yard field goal to tie the game, 48-48, with 1:04 to play.

Utah attempted an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff, not wanting to allow Kansas City to run down the clock and then kick a game-winning field goal in the final seconds. The Brigade recovered the kick and Utah native Aaron Boone caught his fifth touchdown pass of the game with 53 seconds to put Kansas City up by six. The extra point, however, was blocked by Blaze lineman John Culp, setting up the game-winning drive by Utah.

"You have all been officially introduced to arena football," said Blaze coach Danny White. "I am really proud of our guys. We were undermanned."