Wild Ready for Second Chance at Bandits
Published on May 29, 2014 under Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL)
Wichita Wild News Release
WICHITA, Kan. - A first round home playoff game is on the line as the Wichita Wild (8-2) seek revenge against the Sioux City Bandits (9-2) this Saturday at 7:05 p.m. in Hartman Arena. The Bandits handed Wichita its first loss of the season on April 5th in Sioux City. In that game, Wichita trailed 24-45 early in the third quarter before scoring three straight touchdowns to tie the game at 45-45. With 2:36 remaining, Bandits' kicker Braden Wieking connected on a 19-yard field goal that would prove to be the difference and give the Bandits a 48-45 victory.
Wichita is coming off a hard fought win on the road against the Dodge City Law. QB Rocky Hinds completed a three-yard touchdown pass to Joe Kassanavoid to give the Wild a 7-0 lead on their only possession of the first quarter. With 10:16 remaining in the second quarter, Wild DB Kendrick Harper picked off his sixth pass of the season, and danced his way to the end zone for a 45-yard touchdown return. Dodge City, aided by a multitude of personal foul penalties and short fields, would go on to score four straight touchdowns putting the Wild in a 28-14 hole with just 20 seconds to play in the first half. Following a Wild kick return and an unsportsmanlike penalty on the Law, Wichita's offense took the field at the Dodge City 20 yard line with just 0:16 to play in the half. On second down from the 20, Hinds scrambled to his left and lobbed a pass up in the corner of the end zone. Despite the presence of two Law defenders, Kassanavoid was able to come down with the jump ball and a crucial Wild touchdown going into the half, although they still trailed the Law. Wichita opened the second half with a two-yard touchdown run from Tywon Hubbard to tie the game, and the Wild defense would prove to be too much for the Dodge City Law in the second half, en route to a 47-38 playoff clinching victory.
Sioux City comes into Saturday's game a half-game ahead of the Wild for first place in the CPIFL. A lot rides on this matchup as each team can clinch at least a first round home playoff game with a victory. The Bandits have been on a tear lately, averaging over 62 points per game in their last five games (5-0). Sioux City defeated their most recent opponent, the lowly Kansas Koyotes, last Saturday in a final score 72-40. Bandits RB Johnny Bentley scored 4 more rushing touchdowns to give him 24 on the season, tied with Bloomington RB Andre Raymond for the league lead.
This is a classic offense versus defense matchup and if history is any indication, the Bandits will need to be firing on all cylinders to have a chance in Wichita. The Wild defense is head and shoulders above the rest of the CPIFL only allowing 27.6 points per game, 10 points better than the next best defense in the league. Wichita has been even tougher to score against at home only allowing 22.5 points per game over their first four games at Hartman Arena. If any team is up to the task it would be the Bandits, who bring the league's most efficient passing attack to go along with the league's best rushing attack into Wichita.
A stint with the AFL's Philadelphia Soul kept Kendrick Harper out of Wichita's last meeting with the Bandits. QB Scott Jensen and WR Eddie Pertilla connected on four completions for 101 yards and three touchdowns for the Bandits and Jensen added a fourth to WR Lorenzo Brown as the Wild surrendered their worst defensive performance of the season allowing 48 points. Wichita's defense has only allowed three passing touchdowns in the three games since Harper rejoined the Wild, most recently earning him the Week 13 CPIFL Defensive Player of the week. Look for Harper and the rest of the Wild defense to give the Bandits their toughest test yet this season.
"The difference in this game will be how we execute in all three phases on offense, defense and special teams. The Bandits are talented on offense and special teams and put up a lot of points each week. They are a well-coached team that execute their game plan as well as any other team in the league," head coach Paco Martinez said in regard to Saturday's match-up. "I look forward to an exciting game on Saturday that will determine who the best team in the league is."
The Wichita Wild wind down regular season play in the hunt to secure home field advantage through the playoffs by hosting the Bandits this week and Bombers next Saturday. This week the Wild is offering a buy one ticket, get one ticket on green level $10 seating and will have a free fireworks show immediately following the game. Fans not attending the game can follow the Wild on 1410 AM KGSO or kgso.com, or stream the game live on americone.com for a small fee. For the latest news on the Wild, visit www.wichitawildfootball.com and follow the team on Facebook and Twitter (@wichita_wild).
Champions Professional Indoor Football League Stories from May 29, 2014
- Wild Ready for Second Chance at Bandits - Wichita Wild
- Edge Host Haymakers in Saturday's Finale - Bloomington Edge
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