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Semifinals Set - Bandits Host Riverhawks in AIFL Playoff Match-up

July 4, 2005 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Richmond Bandits News Release


Head coach Rik Richards and the second-seeded Richmond Bandits had a little extra time off following the franchise's eight-consecutive win. By virtue of its share of the inaugural regular season Atlantic Indoor Football League (AIFL) championship, the Bandits earned a first-round bye and were anxiously awaiting the winner of the Johnston Riverhawks and Ghostriders match-up to determine their semifinal opponent.

After events this past Saturday, the Bandits now know who will come calling at "the Hideout" on Monday, July 11.

The Johnstown Riverhawks forced 10 turnovers, six of which were fumbles by the ‘Riders, en route to a convincing 73-14 victory in its opening round match-up. Seeded third in the AIFL playoffs, the Riverhawks (7-4) will now face the Bandits in the first of two semifinal contests slated for this weekend.

"Johnstown played extremely tough in their opening playoff win," said Bandits' head coach Rik Richards. "They were favored going in and didn't look back at all. It's a new season right now and everybody has started out equal. We know they're going to come in here hungry - but I know our guys and our fans want this just as much, if not more. We are going to give it our all on Monday Night."

In the other semifinal, the top-seeded Erie Freeze (9-1) will host the number four seed Canton Legends (4-7) on Saturday, July 9. The Legends were the only team to upend Erie during the regular season. Canton pulled the feat at home with a 45-32 victory back on April 30. Since that loss, the Freeze have won seven-in-a-row and like the Bandits, are undefeated at home during the regular season.

The highest seed remaining after next weekend's two semifinal games will host the inaugural AIFL Championship game. The three locations include Erie, Richmond, and Johnstown, in that order based upon the seeding from the regular season finish.

"It's playoff time now - win or go home. We will know going into our game Monday night what else has already transpired with the other match-up on Saturday night. But regardless of what happens in Erie, we know we have to take care of business at our place," commented Richards.

The Bandits convincingly won the only meeting between the two squads earlier this year, routing the home-standing Riverhawks 94-69, marking a franchise best in points scored in a game.

After spotting Johnstown six early points, Richmond rallied to score 30-unanswered to take control and put the game out of reach. In that first meeting, then-starting quarterback Will Burch completed 18-of-29 attempts for 333 yards and nine touchdowns in only three quarters of work.

But one of the offensive weapons utilized to near perfection by the Bandits back in late May will not be available for this week's game. Redd Thompson is still slated to be inactive for the playoff game. The focus will again fall into the capable arms of wide outs Marcel Willis, Marcus Richardson, and former Virginia Tech standouts, Chris Segaar and Bryan Still.

Another deciding factor that helped attribute to the scoring outburst in the first meeting between the two teams was three first quarter interceptions by DeAndre Green. He added a forced and recovered fumble in the decisive first half of action, helping lead Richmond over Johnstown.

But Richards and the Bandits are well aware that this Johnstown team that will make the trek southward is not the same one that awaited Richmond over a month ago.

"They have evolved," said Richards. "Much like we have, they've had some holes to fill and have been able to find quality guys to plug into their needs. We haven't seen them against our personnel except that one time, so neither squad will be greatly familiar with the other. But we're going to watch film, try to break down what they like to do, then game plan to stop it defensively and exploit it offensively."

One of the keys Richards' will stress to his offensive unit is to take care of the football. After the barrage of turnovers taken away by the Riverhawks last week, the Bandits will not want to allow Johnstown any extra possessions, nor scores, from the turnovers. The ‘Hawks scooped up three fumbles for scores in the opening round victory last Saturday.

On the flip side, the ball-hawking Richmond defense, who snagged a trio of picks in the second half versus Raleigh to secure the win last time out, will want a repeat performance from the first meeting with Johnstown in terms of creating turnovers.

It's the return of Monday Night Football at "the Hideout," the Richmond Coliseum. Kickoff for the July 11th inaugural playoff date is scheduled for 7:05 pm. For ticket information, contact the Bandits front office at (804) 780-0383.

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