Force, Panasuk Prevail, Remain Lone CIF Unbeaten
April 4, 2016 - Champions Indoor Football (CIF)
Wichita Force News Release
WICHITA, Kan. - The way Wichita Force QB Stephen Panasuk began the game Friday night at INTRUST Bank Arena certainly did not match up with his performance the remainder of the game. The Force (4-0) defeated the visiting Bloomington Edge(1-3) 51-48.
On Panasuk's first throw of the game, he threw an interception right into the arms of Bloomington defensive back Dominique Patterson. Panasuk's response the rest of the evening was a six touchdown performance, which propelled the Force to remain the only undefeated team in the CIF at 4-0.
"Stephen's just one of those guys that's a coach on the field, he's going to overcome whatever and nothing's going to shake him. He's going to do his thing and be that leader on offense that we need," said Head Coach Paco Martinez after the victory.
While Bloomington jumped out to a 14-7 lead Friday night, the Force responded with 20 unanswered points to take a 27-14 lead with 7:52 remaining in the second quarter. Panasuk hit wide receiver Rashad Daniels to tie it up 14-14, then connected with dynamic wide receiver Clarence Anderson to make it 21-14. Then, wide receiver Ronald Davis joined in on the action as he caught a Panasuk pass to give the Force a 27-14 advantage.
Bloomington responded with 14 unanswered points of their own before Panasuk and Anderson connected again for a touchdown, giving the Force a 34-28 lead heading into halftime.
The second half was a see-saw affair, to say the least. With the Force taking a 41-28 lead on another Ronald Davis touchdown catch, Bloomington responded with 14 consecutive points to reclaim the lead 42-41 with 11:41 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Then, wide receiver Brett Soft made a crucial touchdown catch to give the Force a 48-42 lead. Following a huge defensive stop by defensive back Kendrick Harper and the Force defense, Kicker Connor Frazell nailed a clutch 38-yard field goal to give the Force a commanding 51-42 lead with 3:35 remaining.
While Bloomington responded with a score of their own, the clock ran out on the Edge, and the homestanding crowd witnessed their team improve to 4-0 on the year.
Next week, Wichita is back in action at Intrust Bank Arena when they take on the Texas Revolution Saturday at 7:05, looking to extend the unbeaten start.
Martinez looking ahead to next week: "We're pretty banged up right now. The players have to decide that when the lights come on, they're going to play the way they practice. It's more the mental side of things. Physically, we're there."
The Force will return to INTRUST Bank Arena on Saturday, April 9 to take on the Texas Revolution for Black Out Night sponsored by Alef's Harley Davidson. This will be the first time the two squads have met since the Revolution knocked out the Force in the 2015 semi-final round of the playoffs.
Champions Indoor Football Stories from April 4, 2016
- Force, Panasuk Prevail, Remain Lone CIF Unbeaten - Wichita Force
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