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Bandits Return to Hideout for Two-game Home Stand

June 1, 2005 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Richmond Bandits News Release


Despite again needing last-second heroics to defeat the Canton Legends a week ago, the Richmond Bandits return to the Hideout with their hold of first place intact. The outlaws will now have back-to-back home games against the Atlantic Indoor Football League's (AIFL) two traveling teams, beginning first with the Raleigh Rebels this Saturday, June 4 at the Richmond Coliseum.

Raleigh, one of two traveling teams in the AIFL this season, heads northward with a 3-3 overall record. However, they have dropped two-in-a-row, including a 70-34 thrashing at Erie last week. Also, a pair of their victories have been forfeits over the other traveling squad, the winless Ghostriders team.

The Rebels are led by quarterback Jared Hall (North Carolina), who has completed 45 of his 93 pass attempts including 10 touchdowns, but has also tossed nine interceptions. His favorite targets on the season have been Lavell Bailey (Akron), the teams' leading scorer, and Travis Heath (East Carolina). The two have combined for approximately 400 yards and seven touchdowns, according to AIFL statistics on Wednesday.

However, Raleigh will be without offensive threat, Charles Radford. The receiver out of West Virginia Tech caught two TD's in the loss to Erie before being injured late in the first quarter. He was leading the team in touchdowns with five at the time of his departure.

On the home front, the Bandits' offense had been cruising as of late entering last weekend's game in Ohio. But a sluggish start – and a 16-0 deficit – caused Richmond's coaching staff to make a change.

Starting quarterback Will Burch ran into a bit of trouble, tossing three interceptions and losing a fumble on the first series. It was back-up Robbie Jenkins, who has seen action this season mostly in relief of Burch, which led the Bandits to the win, connecting with Redd Thompson for an 11-yard strike as time expired.

"That was someone else playing in Will's place," said head coach Rik Richards of his starting signal caller. "He simply wasn't himself. But, we were lucky to have a capable backup like Robbie (Jenkins) to come in and win the game."

Richards called the quarterback situation entering Saturday's meeting with the Rebels a "toss-up."

"Will has led us very well this season, but had a bad performance his last time out. He stayed right there with us on the sidelines, though, trying to help us bring home the win. There was no quit in him," said Richards. "Robbie has been consistent all season in the back-up role and really stepped up last weekend at Canton. A lot of it will depend on the practices heading in to the game, but whichever of the two steps out on the turf first, they'll do a great job for us."

Richards expects to get former Virginia Tech standout Chris Segaar back from the injured list, adding the kicking game back to an already potent offensive unit.

On defense, DeAndre Green picked of his team-leading fourth pass in the win last weekend at Canton. The Bandits' defense continues to lead the league with 14 overall picks thus far this season helping Richmond to a +10 in the turnover margin department.

Kickoff this Saturday is set for 7:05 at the Richmond Coliseum, a.k.a., the Hideout. For ticket information, contact the Bandits office at (804) 780-0383.



American Indoor Football Association Stories from June 1, 2005


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