Rage Win Playoff Opener
June 21, 2008 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
RiverCity Rage News Release
St. Charles, MO - The RiverCity Rage defeated the Sioux City Bandits in round one of the UIF playoffs, 37-33, at the Family Arena Saturday night. The win propels the Rage into the Eastern Conference championship game at Bloomington, IL against the Extreme on Monday, June 30th. The Rage scored the go-ahead touchdown with just 37 seconds remaining and their defense held on as the clock ran out on the Bandits.
"I wouldn't want anyone else on the field with the game on the line than our defense," said Rage head coach Ken Stills. "That is not taking anything from our offense. Defense wins championships and they have been there for us all season. We held one of the top scoring teams in the league to just 33 points. That's what we needed tonight."
The Rage defense played the "bend but don't break" theory to perfection Saturday night. They allowed 356 total yards but stiffened when it mattered. Sioux City converted on just 4-of-9 red zone chances in the game. The Rage lead the league in red zone defense this season at 67% and improved that tonight.
"We will give them all the yards they want between the 10s [yard line]," added Stills. "We lead the league for a reason. Our defense just clamps down with their backs to the goal line. They refuse to let the other team in the end zone when it matters. Our defense was on the field for most of the game and they didn't wear down. We left Sioux City a little too much time but our guys stepped up and made sure we left here with a win tonight."
The Rage jumped out to an early 21-10 lead early in the second quarter as newly named UIF Defensive Player of the Year, Joe Bevis, ran in a blocked field goal for a touchdown. However, the Bandits scored the final 14 points of the half to take a 24-21 lead at the break.
Five minutes into the second half, Robert Franklin ran in a 4-yard touchdown to take the lead right back at 27-24. From there the game would be back and forth as the two teams traded field goals, and with 1:37 to play, the Rage held a precarious 30-27 lead. It then took Sioux City under a minute to take the lead right back as they scored a quick touchdown on a 14-yard pass play to Tommy Hoffer with only 53 seconds remaining. The Rage, though, needed just 16 seconds to respond. Ryan Maiuri found Virgil Union in the corner of the endzone to give the Rage the lead at 37-33. The Sioux City threatened, but the Bandits' final play of the game ended up just short as Terrell Washington stopped Bandits' quarterback, Chad Kapanui, at the 4 yard line to give the Rage the victory.
The Rage will now head to Bloomington, IL to battle the Extreme for the Conference Championship. The game will be held on Monday, June 30th. You can catch all of the action on 100.7 KFNS or online at ragefootball.com.
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United Indoor Football Association Stories from June 21, 2008
- Rage Win Playoff Opener - RiverCity Rage
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