Force Fight Adversity in Preparation for Beef
April 14, 2016 - Champions Indoor Football (CIF)
Wichita Force News Release
WICHITA, Kan. - The Wichita Force (4-1) will travel to Nebraska this weekend to take on the Omaha Beef (2-3) at the Ralston Arena. The Force will be looking to make a comeback after suffering a devastating 42-74 loss to the Texas Revolution last week.
Both team's quarterbacks are ranked No. 4 in the league for total offensive touchdowns each recording 23 apiece. Force QB Stephen Panasuk has one rushing touchdown along with 22 passing in five games while the Beef's QB Joshua Floyd Jr. has six rushing and 17 passing.
The Beef will return to the Slaughter House to look for a comeback win after losing by one point to the Chicago Eagles last weekend. In the final two minutes of regulation, the Eagles scored on back-to-back series to tie the score to 48-all. With a good PAT by the Eagles, the Beef walked away with their third defeat on the season.
The Force has undergone drastic roster changes in the course of the last week. DB Chris Hemphill will miss the remainder of the 2016 season due to a knee injury sustained during the Revolution contest. DB Dorrian Roberts, WR Ronald Davis, and DL Latavious Davis will miss this week's contest due injury. WR Brett Soft will see minutes on both sides of the ball to assist with the team's needs in the secondary.
With the emergence of QB Stephen Panasuk filling the starting position, the team has released QB Emmanuel Taylor from the 2016 active roster.
The Force has signed DB Anthony Daniel and WR Jabril Soloman to fill the roster voids and contribute to this week's contest. Both athletes were applicants in the open tryout hosted in October.
"Adversity is the word of our season," head coach Paco Martinez commented. "We are getting killed with the injuries. First week, we lose Elbert (Mack) for seven weeks. The last two weeks, we lose Kiaree (Daniels) and (Chris) Hemphill for the season. WE all have to adjust and do our jobs better to make up for all the changes. We are lucky that we have such quality guys at our open tryouts. We will bring Anthony and Jabril back to help us deal with all these injuries."
DC Rod Miller will miss the next two contests, including this weekend's game, due to obligations for his next coaching venture.
"We are excited and would like to congratulate Coach Miller for accepting the head coaching position," Martinez said. "I'm glad to have him on the coaching staff this season and I know he will do great with his next team."
Miller will return for the Saturday, April 30 game against Chicago at INTRUST Bank Arena.
Force Player to Watch: DB Kendrick Harper
Harper, starting veteran DB for the Force, has become a silent defensive killer to opponent's offense this season. Finishing last season at No. 4 in the league for interceptions, Harper recorded his first pick of the season in last week's loss to the Revolution.
With one under his belt, Harper will be hunting to add to his season count against the Beef.
Beef Player to Watch: LB Devon Bridges
Currently leading the league in total sacks and tackles for loss, Bridges will be the Force offensive's key obstacle to overcome. In five games, Bridges has recorded 34 tackles, seven sacks, and 12.5 tackles for loss.
Champions Indoor Football Stories from April 14, 2016
- Force Fight Adversity in Preparation for Beef - Wichita Force
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