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Edge Charge Back But Drop Season Opener

March 15, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Bloomington Blaze News Release


BLOOMINGTON - The Bloomington Edge kept their opening contest close but dropped their inaugural Champions Professional Indoor Football League matchup 62-56 to the Sioux City Bandits Friday night at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

The Edge scored early and were able to keep it close but the Sioux City offense was too much for the Bloomington defense. Edge quarterback David Knighton completed 16 of 23 passes for 186 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also ran for 40 yards and a touchdown. Lee Banks rushed for 23 yards and a touchdown. Jasonus Tillery caught 5 passes for 60 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The Edge started their season with a bang as they were able to get the first score of the game. Six plays into the opening drive, Andre Raymond scored on a 6-yard touchdown rush. Sioux City came right back with a rush touchdown of their own to tie the game up. After the Edge missed a 38-yard field goal attempt, the Bandits threw for a 43-yard touchdown. They missed the extra point and Sioux City led 13-7 after the opening quarter.

The Bandits got on the board to start the second quarter with a rush touchdown, but the Edge came right back as David Knighton threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Lewis. On the next drive the Bandits rushed for another touchdown but missed another PAT. On the following kickoff Lavaughn Macon scored on a 52-yard touchdown return. The Bandits scored with 0:23 left in the quarter but missed their third extra point of the night. Sioux City led 32-21 at halftime.

The Bandits kicked off the third quarter by scoring on a 22-yard touchdown pass and then converted a two-point attempt. The Edge quickly responded as Lee Banks rushed 4 yards for a touchdown. Banks ran to the right, was stopped, and was smart enough to run all the way to the left for the score. After Bloomington's Caleb Young intercepted a pass, Jasonus Tillery scored on an 11-yard touchdown reception. The Bandits came back with a 34-yard touchdown pass. The third quarter ended with Sioux City leading 47-35.

The Bandits ended the third quarter driving but missed a 25-yard field goal attempt to start the fourth quarter. The Edge were able to respond quickly as Lee Banks caught a 14-yard pass and dove over the goal line for a touchdown. The two teams traded touchdowns back and forth throughout the quarter. Sioux City would extend their lead but then the Edge would close the gap on the next drive. The Edge kept the game close but they could not complete the comeback.

The Edge are back at home next week for a battle with the Mid-Missouri Outlaws. Kickoff is at 7:05 p.m. Fans will receive mini-footballs courtesy of OSF St. Joseph Medical Center and are also invited to a post-game fan festival with the Edge players. For more information on the Edge call 309-TC SPORT (827-7678), visit www.bloomingtonedge.com, like the team on Facebook and follow the Edge on Twitter (BloomingtonEdge).

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