Will McClay's team (11-2) earned its third straight postseason appearance with a hard-fought 68-52 victory over Cleveland (7-6) inside Quicken Loans Arena, breaking the 60-point barrier in consecutive weeks for the first time all season and preventing a Gladiators comeback with two crucial defensive stops in the fourth quarter.

Six days after becoming the first player in AFL history to score four touchdowns in four different ways, Desperados WR/DB Will Pettis gave another all-around effort with six total touchdowns (four receiving, one passing, one rushing). Desperados quarterback Clint Dolezel picked apart Cleveland's last-ranked defense with 252 yards and eight touchdowns.

Next up is the long-awaited rematch with Eastern Division rival Philadelphia (10-3), which now sits a full game behind Dallas in the National Conference standings. With a win next Saturday at American Airlines Center, the Desperados can earn a head-to-head split with the Soul and increase their conference lead to two games with two to play.

"It's set up perfectly," Pettis said on KTCK (1310-AM) after the game. "We haven't peaked. We've been looking pretty bad offensively all year as far as what we're used to playing, but these last two weeks have been good."

The Gladiators never stopped Dolezel's offense but stayed within seven through the first three quarters by scoring touchdowns on all but the game's opening drive. Desperados defensive back Dontevis Franklin's two fourth-down stops in the final quarter helped build and eventually preserve a three-score lead.

"Offensively we were clicking," said McClay, who has compiled a 39-6 record in these three playoff seasons. "Defensively when plays have to be made we've got make those plays, and we did for the most part."

The offense reached 60 points for the third time in four weeks. Marcus Nash caught eight passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns, and Anthony Armstrong added three scores despite battling leg cramps that prompted McClay to insert backup quarterback Chris Sanders on kickoff coverage - a rare sight in any football league.

"I don't think we'll put him out there (again)," McClay said of Sanders. "We might need him."

Philadelphia is enjoying its bye week, but an extra week of preparation didn't help Dallas in the teams' first meeting. The Soul dominated on both ends and handed Dallas its worst loss in franchise history, 57-28.

The Desperados haven't forgotten. And there's plenty at stake again next Saturday.

"That's going to be the biggest game of the year for us at this point," Pettis said. "It's payback. We need to whoop them. We don't need to just win; we need to put it on them."