COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Huntington Heroes will attempt to clinch a playoff berth into the American Indoor Football Association playoffs Sunday night as the travel to face the Columbus Lions at the Columbus Civic Center.

Last weekend, the Heroes (6-6) suffered a setback as they fell to the last-place Fayetteville Guard 61-34 in Fayetteville.

The Guard swept the season series against the Heroes.

“We moved the ball well for the most part,” said Heroes head coach Paul Blankenship.” We just could never get close enough to stay with them.”

Columbus (8-4) is also looking to rebound after a loss, as they fell last week to the Florence Phantoms 40-35.

The main concern that Blankenship has is the athleticism of the Lions.

“(Columbus) is not bad. They’re a very good football team,” said Blankenship.

“They have AF2-type talent. So they’re players we’ll be a challenge for ours.”

Heroes’ quarterback Darnell Kennedy, who is from Atlanta, knows the importance of this game.

“Even when Coach (Teddy) Keaton was still here we had circled this game on our schedule as our big test,” said Kennedy.

“It’s also a homecoming for me as well.”

A familiar face will be leading the Lions’ offense as Joey Conrad takes snaps tonight.

Conrad, who played at West Virginia Tech, was with the Heroes last season for a brief time.

The only action Conrad saw with the Heroes was against the Carolina Speed.

“We need to win one of the next two games to get in (the playoffs),” said Kennedy.

“So everybody knows what’s at stake this week and hopefully we get it done tonight

(Sunday).”

Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. Radio webcast is free and video webcast is $6.