The Orlando Predators clinched the last AFL playoff spot in a 49-21 victory over the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz this past Saturday night.

The victory meant the Predators could close Amway Arena the way it was always meant to.

QB Nick Hill threw 15-of-22 for 217 yards. Robert Quiroga caught for 115 yards and 4 touchdowns.

A loss the previous weekend in Milwaukee dashed any remaining hopes that the Preds might earn a home Arena Bowl, which were already infinitesimal at that point but still mathematically possible.

The old arena is now ready to go quietly into that good night. There’s still a few concerts and one last Disney On Ice tour, but its sports history is all written, with contributions from the Predators, Magic, Lightning, Solar Bears, Seals, Jackals, Titans and so many others.

Although plans are not yet set in stone, the way appears clear for Amway Arena to be torn down and replaced with a new high-tech enclave. Personally I think there are better things to do with the land, like a soccer-specific stadium.

As for the Predators, they have one last regular-season game left Saturday night at Tampa Bay, before heading off to the playoffs. They will be back in 2011 at the new Amway Center. There’s already proposed 2011 season ticket pricing on the website. The floor plan isn’t accurate, but the point is that they don’t plan to change ticket prices.