Page 2 - Jesse Schmidt News Today

The playoff teams are all set. Chicago and Cleveland won their respective divisions, while Georgia, Orlando and Spokane clinched playoff berths. Jacksonville has dropped three straight and San Jose failed to reach the postseason for the first time since 1999. The defending champion Shock pulled off a miracle last-second play to sneak into the playoffs after starting the season 4-7. There's a lot to cover in the first Week 19 in AFL history so buckle up.

Weird week of AFL football. The road team won seven of nine games. The last winless team beat a previously unbeaten. Chicago, Orlando and San Jose all overcame 14-0 deficits against former af2 teams to win. Four winners failed to reach 50 points. The last two ArenaBowl champs are both 1-4. And Rod Windsor's back!

Thanks to a loss by Chicago last Sunday, the San Jose SaberCats clinched their first playoff berth since losing in ArenaBowl XXII in 2008 and this Saturday will conclude their regular season against Iowa. San Jose has a bye in Week 20 and gets a week off before the playoffs begin.

A meeting set for Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. at Carnegie Town Hall is intended to take public input from citizens on ideas for the task force.

Seven of the eight playoff teams have been decided as well as two division titles. Three total teams clinched playoff berths, while two were eliminated. Jacksonville and Tampa Bay swapped places despite losing AFL all-time leading passer Aaron Garcia and Spokane's road until ArenaBowl XXIII will be at home. This and my top offensive player of the year await you in the Week 16 edition of Breaking it Down.

As short as six weeks ago, it was uncertain whether the Chicago Rush would even field a team in the Arena Football League in 2013.

Mike Hendrickson and Jesse Schmidt were among the first to arrive at Tropics nightclub in downtown Fargo after it was set ablaze in April 2000.

Mike Hendrickson and Jesse Schmidt were among the first to arrive at Tropics nightclub in downtown Fargo after it was set ablaze in April 2000.

Mike Hendrickson and Jesse Schmidt were among the first to arrive at Tropics nightclub in downtown Fargo after it was set ablaze in April 2000.

Mike Hendrickson and Jesse Schmidt were among the first to arrive at Tropics nightclub in downtown Fargo after it was set ablaze in April 2000.