Even with a championship ring on his finger, Colorado coach Mike Dailey still looks up to the team that faces the Crush today at the Pepsi Center.
The Orlando Predators aren’t just another opponent. To Dailey, they represent the status he hopes the Crush will achieve.
“Orlando has a great tradition with a couple of championships. They have a great coach in Jay Gruden,” Dailey said. “I hope we’re moving in that direction. We’re building some tradition of our own, but we haven’t had as many years as Orlando.”
The Predators were one game away from advancing to last year’s ArenaBowl against the Crush, and most of the Orlando players returned this year. But Dailey has more to think about than what happened last year when the Crush beat Georgia 51-48 for the title.
There will be a boost to the Crush’s tradition this week. The team’s home attendance will reach 500,000, bringing the franchise to that mark faster than any organization in the 20-year history of the league. The total has been achieved in 33 games, three fewer than Arizona in its first four years.
The Predators come in as the AFL’s hottest team with five straight victories and present a major challenge to the Crush’s seeding in the playoffs.
Colorado has clinched a place in the postseason but is seeking home-field advantage. Orlando needs a victory to get into the playoffs. The Predators are 2-0 against Colorado in regular-season play.
With Orlando coming off a 52-12 victory over Tampa Bay, the Predators have momentum. Colorado is coming off a 52-40 loss to the expansion Utah Blaze.
“You can’t read too much into team records in this league,” Dailey said. “It just doesn’t happen that you always beat the teams you think you’re supposed to beat.”
A couple of individual milestones are within reach.
Colorado offensive specialist Damian Harrell needs one touchdown reception to set the league single-season record; he is tied for the record with four others at 46.
Orlando quarterback Joe Hamilton needs 296 yards to become the franchise’s leader in passing yards. Hamilton has 9,381 yards.
Crush/Today
Who: Orlando Predators (9-4) vs. Colorado Crush (9-4)
What: Arena Football League
When: 4 p.m.
Where: Pepsi Center
TV/Radio: FSN/KHOW 630 AM
Irv Moss can be reached at 303 820-1296 or at imoss@denverpost.com.
