DULUTH — The Duluth Harbor Monsters are heading back to the postseason with a familiar target on their backs — and a growing confidence they can secure a second straight ArenaMania championship.
Duluth clinched the No. 1 seed in The Arena League playoffs with a convincing 72-38 win over the Ozarks Lunkers on Saturday night at DECC Arena. The victory not only capped a strong regular season but also guaranteed home-field advantage through the playoffs, including a potential championship game.
The Harbor Monsters will face the fourth-seeded Lunkers again in the opening round of the playoffs, a rematch that feels anything but routine. Duluth routed Ozarks, using explosive plays on both sides of the ball — including a pair of sacks and a safety from defensive lineman Chei Hill and a 40-yard scoring run from K.J. Felder Jr. — to set the tone. Running back Jamal Couch punched in the game’s opening touchdown, and the Monsters never looked back.
The Iowa Woo secured the No. 2 seed. Hot Springs Wiseguys earned the third seed via tiebreaker, while the Lunkers slid into the fourth and final postseason berth.
First-round matchups are set for Saturday.
- No. 1 Duluth vs. No. 4 Ozarks
- No. 2 Iowa vs. No. 3 Hot Springs
Winners will meet Aug. 9 in the ArenaMania championship game, hosted by the highest remaining seed.
