RB Julian Hayes, Force Takes Top Spot in Northern Division with Win over Bandits
May 14, 2016 - Champions Indoor Football (CIF)
Wichita Force News Release
WICHITA, Kan. - The Wichita Force (7-2) earned its first franchise road win against the Sioux City Bandits (7-3) after defeating the team 23-19 in a nail biting winner on Saturday.
At the initial start of the contest, the Force struggled to stop Sioux City's rushing game. In the first quarter, RB Drew Prohaska recorded 41 rushing yards and put the team's first points on the board. QB Chuck Wright complimented the first touchdown with a five-yard pass to WR Frederick Bruno to bring a 13-0 lead over Wichita.
The Force made a strong comeback late in the first that carried over into the second following WR Clarence Anderson's two-yard reception touchdown from QB David Olson. RB Julian Hayes recorded his first touchdown of the game on a four-yard run.
Before the intermission break, Sioux City's K Max Martin broke the 14-0 streak with a 28- yard field goal to give the Bandits a 16-14 lead heading into the locker room.
The third quarter proved to be scoreless for both squads as neither team could overcome the opposing team's defense. Olson threw his first interception of the third straight in the hands of the Bandits defense. With momentum coming from both side's defense, neither team was able to capitalize on the opportunities.
In the middle of the fourth, the Bandits attempted a deep field goal that was blocked by LB Jason Catchings and flew out of bounds resulting in a safety for the Force and tying the score at 16-all. The Bandits answered back with a 24-yard field goal attempt to regain the lead over the Force with 2:17 remaining in the contest. The Force defense continued to hold its focus and stop the Bandits from scoring on another run.
With :24 remaining in the game, Hayes found a gap in the Sioux City's defense to earn his second touchdown and with a good PAT by Drake, seal the win for Wichita.
The Force will travel to Texas next week to take on the Amarillo Venom for the pair's first and only matchup of the 2016 regular season. The following week, the Force will return to INTRUST Bank Arena for Salute to Service Night presented by the National Wildlife Turkey Federation against the Sioux City Bandits on Saturday, May 28.
Champions Indoor Football Stories from May 14, 2016
- RB Julian Hayes, Force takes top spot in Northern Division with win over Bandits - Wichita Force
- RB Julian Hayes, Force Takes Top Spot in Northern Division with Win over Bandits - Wichita Force
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