Defenders Unable to Capture Wild in CPIFL Kickoff
March 15, 2013 - Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL)
Oklahoma Defenders News Release
Tulsa, OK The Oklahoma Defenders (OKD) were unable to tame the Wild in the Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL) kickoff game in Tulsa Saturday night that ended in a 26-70 loss for the Defenders.
Fans lined up for tickets in anticipation of the Defenders second season, now playing downtown at the Tulsa Convention Center. The Defenders struggled against the experienced Wichita Wild team, now in its 7th season. The CPIFL is proving to have the higher level of competition and professionalism from the league office the Defenders desired. League Commissioner James Bain was also in attendance for the league's inaugural game.
The Defenders quarterback Rico Watkins was 19 for 30 for 195 yards, 4 touchdowns, and one interception.
Second-year player Patrick Jones moved to a starting position at wide receiver and led the receivers with 7 catches for 78 yards and one touchdown. Newcomer wide receiver Juan Redmon (former Southern Nazarene Pioneer) had three receptions for 44 yards and two touchdowns including one bounding over-the-wall catch. OKD linebacker BJ Hodshire and defensive end Victor Clore each had four tackles to lead the Defense.
The Defenders fought to contain the Wild, but three Defender fumbles, one interception, and five allowed sacks contributed to the Defenders loss.
The Wild took the lead in the first quarter with a five-yard touchdown run but missed the extra point attempt to go up 6-0. The Defenders were unable to score on their initial drive and the Wild returned to the field. The Wild scored again on a 7-play drive with a fade pass to the back left corner of the end zone to go up 13-0. The Defenders offense lit up the crowd with a 23-yard over-the-wall touchdown reception from Rico Watkins to WR Juan Redmon. The extra point kick by Billy Perry was successful to end the first quarter 7-13.
The Wild were a dominating force early in the second quarter with three unanswered touchdowns to go up 26-7. Late in the second quarter, the Defenders connected on a touchdown pass from quarterback Rico Watkins to wide reciver Patrick Jones. The Wild answered again with a deep touchdown pass, this time a 32-yard bomb to end the first half with the Wild leading the Defenders 40-13.
The third quarter started with another Defenders fumble that was recovered by the Wild. Wichita then scored on a two-yard touchdown run.
The Defenders answered with a 13-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Rico Watkins to running back Kingjack Washington, cutting the Wichita lead to 20-47. Two minutes later, the Wild responded with a 24-yard touchdown run, followed by a missed extra-point attempt to end the third quarter with a score of 20-53.
The Defenders were unable to contain the Wild who scored on their opening play of the fourth quarter with a 31-yard pass. The Defenders lone score of the fourth quarter was a 12-yard one-handed touchdown reception to Juan Redmon, making the score 26-60. The Wild scored on a 26-yard field goal and then added one more touchdown to end the game with a Wichita win over the Defenders, 26-70.
The Defenders will play on the road this week on Saturday, March 16th, against the Kansas Koyotes in Topeka Kansas at the Kansas Expocentre. Tune in to the game-day broadcast with Blake Gazaway and Shan Jordan on the Defenders Media Center at www.radiop1.com/oklahomadefenders.
The Defenders next home game is Sunday, April 14th at 2:05pm against the Mid-Missouri Outlaws at the Tulsa Convention Center. The April 14th game is Kid's Night, tickets for children under 12 are just $5! Single-game tickets can be purchased at the BOK or Tulsa Convention Center Box Office.
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