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BOB STRICKLEY

PDT Sports Editor

The weekend can’t get here fast enough for the Kentucky Warriors of the Northern Frontier Football League as they will open the 2012 postseason with the first home playoff game in club history.

The Warriors will host the Miami Saints who finished the regular season 7-3. The Saints finished third in the Dayton Division of the NFFL behind the Southern Ohio Buckeyes (9-1) and the Warriors (9-1).

Kentucky finished the regular season with one loss which came with some controversy regarding additional players dressed for the Tri-State Sharks in that contest.

Despite a nearly flawless record, the Warriors were seeded fourth behind the Tri-State Sharks at No. 3, Lancaster Sabres at No. 2 and the Southern Ohio Buckeyes who are the overall No. 1.

The Warrior were to wrap up the regular season against the Ohio Ducks, but the game was never played as the Ducks forfeited due to injuries.

The additional bye week has allowed the Warriors extra time to recover from injuries.

“We will be getting two key players back from injury because of the extra time off,” Warriors owner Ricky Witt said. “Jermaine Peyton and Andrew Osborn are both going to be back on the field for us.”

Kentucky coach Dan Polcyn said the Saints will likely try to find success via the ground attack Saturday.

“From what we have gathered, their desire is to come in and run the football so we are scheming and preparing for that,” Polcyn said.

According to the coach, the temperament of the team is one of anticipation.

“They are pretty wound up. We have guys who have not played in any kind of playoffs before and I don’t know if any of our guys have played in the playoffs at this level before,” Polcyn said. “There is a lot of excitement and energy here. One player asked me what it is like in the playoffs. I said it’s a chance to win something.”

This is Kentucky’s first season in the NFFL and commissioner B.J. Queen previously praised the club as a valuable part of the league’s growth in 2012.

“It has been a great first year,” Queen said. “We have had three or four teams consistently in the top 25 and the Warriors have been great as the second-best team in the nation.”

By the end of the regular season, Kentucky was at No. 3 in the Semi-Pro HQ National Power Rankings.

The Warriors postseason debut at Spartan Municipal Stadium will not only feature a competitive contest, but will have many periphery activities for fans. The game ball will be delivered via helicopter, there will be large inflatables for children and a half time show.

The game is slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff with gates opening at 6 p.m. Saturday. Advanced tickets are available today and Friday at the Warriors Fan Shop inside Spartan Municipal Stadium.

BOB STRICKLEY may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 203, or bstrickley@heartlandpublications.com.