BLOOMINGTON - Thanks to the Indoor Football League's quirky schedule, the waiting game continues for the playoff-bound Bloomington Extreme.
The Extreme returned to practice Wednesday night at Game Time Gym II following a 2½-week layoff still uncertain of its playoff fate. Bloomington (10-4) would win the tiebreaker for the Central Division title with first-place Omaha (10-3) if the Beef loses to Pacific Division powerhouse Billings (12-1) in Saturday's regular-season finale.
If Omaha loses, the Extreme would receive a first-round bye before hosting the Omaha-Wichita winner in the second round on July 25. If Omaha wins the division outright, Bloomington would host a first-round game against Wichita (8-6) on July 18.
"It's like going back to training camp because everybody needs to get back into it," said Extreme coach Kenton Carr. "It's been so long, it actually feels kind of strange. We have to get ready.
"Most of those (playoff) teams are still playing and they're kind of peaking and they get to roll right into the playoffs, and we've got this long layoff. It's kind of scary. The other thing is we don't know if we're going to be the No. 1 seed or the No. 2 seed. Do we prepare for the 18th or the 25th?"
Extreme defensive back James Temple, an Illinois State product tied for second in the IFL with 10 interceptions, downplayed the effects of the lengthy layoff.
"I think the long season handled it for us so it will come back easy after one or two days as long as everybody stayed in shape and did something over the break," Temple said. "We still have the same players, so it will come along and we'll be all right.
"Mentally you can kind of lose focus a little bit with that much time off without even touching the ball, seeing the ball or having pads on. We just have to focus and know what we're trying to do."
Carr isn't so sure about his team's physical condition. He plans to find out by holding another practice tonight and what he termed a "light" scrimmage on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at Game Time Gym II that will be open to the public.
"I worry about our conditioning," Carr said. "A lot of them say they've been working out, but let's face it, some of these guys I question if they did that or not. We have to get the rust out right now and get back in playing shape, too."
Extreme offensive lineman Joe Nicklasch, another former ISU player, isn't worried.
"We've all been working out and running," Nicklasch said. "We'll be refreshed. It might take a little to get it back again, but that's why we're practicing. I don't think it's going to be that big of a deal."
Billings-Omaha preview: Billings, led by dynamic quarterback Chris Dixon, will be looking to avenge a 48-33 road loss to Omaha on April 18. The Outlaws posted a 52-40 home win over the Beef on April 4.
Dixon, the overwhelming favorite to win the IFL's Most Valuable Player award, has thrown an amazing 66 touchdown passes. Omaha counters with versatile quarterback James McNear, who has 36 TD passes and 15 rushing scores.
"I can't stand Billings during the year, but this game I'm rooting for them," Carr said. "It will be a battle. I think Billings will want a little revenge and take care of business."