Getting through the regular season grind was an accomplishment itself.

Now Wyoming can chase the one its been after since the first day of practice - a national championship.

They can take the first step tonight, facing Arizona in an American Indoor Football Association division playoff game at 6 p.m. at the Casper Events Center.

"It means a lot to us that we got this far and through a whole season without any bye weeks," Cavs running back James Jones said. "It just feels good to get these playoff games going."

Today's game is the fifth meeting between the Cavs and Adrenaline. The teams split the regular season series with Wyoming winning the first two games, and Arizona winning the last two, including a 48-30 victory last Saturday in Arizona.

"I think by us winning the first two, I feel like we have the upper hand as far as being able to make adjustments and get things to work," Wyoming coach Dan Maciejczak said. "Whereas what they were doing in the third and fourth game was working, so they have to decide if they will stay with that or try something new. It will be kind of be a chess game to see what happens."

The first moves were made last week.

The game didn't have playoff implications, so both coaches rested players and stuck with basic plays to avoid giving away today's gameplan.

"We have a little bit of momentum, but you have to remember they didn't have their full arsenal," Arizona coach Andrew Moore said.

One major weapon missing in last week's game was Wyoming quarterback Matt Strand, who stayed in Casper to spend time with his new daughter.

With Strand gone, the Cavs defense stepped up with one of the best performances of the season.

"We played well as a defense last week," defensive back and assistant coach Stacey Edwards said. "I think in the middle of the season we got in a lull a little bit, but we came out knowing that we didn't have our quarterback with us, and we were going to have to play hard on defense and try to win the game on defense.

"I think we did that."

Now the Cavs must repeat that defensive effort and outscore the Adrenaline to keep their national championship hopes alive.

"I think it's going to be a great game," Moore said. "… May the best team win. I feel the winner of this game will win the championship."

INJURY REPORTS: Wyoming coach Dan Maciejczak said the only player who might miss the game is defensive back Corey Roberson, who has a shoulder injury and is a game-time decision.

"We are more healthy now than we have been since the beginning of the season," Maciejczak said. "That's always a good thing."

Offensive lineman Chase Olsen will return to the Cavs lineup after a successful knee surgery five weeks ago.

Arizona coach Andrew Moore said his team is a little banged up, but he will have the team he wants on the field.

Contact sports reporter David Buck at (307) 266-0596 or david.buck@trib.com

Cavalry Tracker

TODAY: Arizona at Wyoming, 6 p.m., Casper Events Center

RECORDS: Adrenaline (11-3); Cavalry (11-3)

SERIES HISTORY: Wyoming and Arizona played four times during the regular season and split the games. The Cavs won the first two games, and the Adrenaline took the final two games, including a 48-30 victory last Saturday in Arizona.

UP NEXT: The winner of today's game plays the winner of Saturday's South Division playoff game between the Columbus (Ga.) Lions and the Mississippi Mudcats for the Western Conference title.

HE SAID IT: "I think it's going to be a great game. … May the best team win. I feel the winner of this game will win the championship." - Arizona coach Andrew Moore.