Wild Edge out Bombers to Clinch Playoff Spot
May 11, 2013 - Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL)
Wichita Wild News Release
Wichita, Kan. - The Wichita Wild (9-1) completed a season sweep of the Salina Bombers (5-3) with a 45-40 victory in front of 3,624 fans in Hartman Arena. Wichita quarterback Rocky Hinds led the Wild with five touchdowns, four through the air and one on the ground and running back Tywon Hubbard pitched in 261 all-purpose yards and one touchdown. Defensive back Kendrick Harper led the Wild with three interceptions on the night to stifle the Bombers' offense. For the majority of the night, both teams battled in a close game.
In an unusual fashion Wichita's offense did not produce a score on their first drive of the game, but on Salina's first play from scrimmage, Harper picked off Salina quarterback Dane Simoneau's pass. The Wild threatened to score, but their drive ended when Hinds' pass in the red zone was picked off. Three plays later, Salina cashed in the turnover for a 22 yard touchdown pass from Simoneau to wide receiver Ricky Roberts, providing the Bombers a 7-0 lead. On the ensuing drive Hinds navigated the offense back down the field, finishing the drive with a five yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brian Murph to tie the game at 7 apiece as the first quarter drew to a close.
The second quarter began with the Wild forcing the Bombers into a three and out and attempting and missing a 50 yard field goal. Tywon Hubbard received the missed field goal and returned it 57 yards for a touchdown, allowing Wichita to lead 14-7. After struggling to put a drive together and turning the ball over on downs, the Wild took over great field position. After a short run by Hinds who was tackled out of bounds, Salina defensive back DeWayne Autrey received two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties for striking Hinds in the helmet, ultimately leading to his ejection from the game. The next snap featured redemption by Hinds with a one yard quarterback sneak to push the Wild lead, 21-7. The following drive for the Bombers ended quickly when Harper grabbed his second interception of the game, but Wichita's offense was not able to move the ball, resulting in a three and out. The Bombers closed out a four play drive with a one yard touchdown run by Simoneau, pulling Salina within seven of Wichita, 21-14. The Wild offense continued to sputter with another three and out, giving the Bombers a chance for one last score before the end of the first half, but Harper salvaged the Wild mishap with his third pass of the night. The interception gave Wild kicker Alex Fambrough a field goal attempt from 43 yards out, but the kick missed wide right leaving the Wichita holding onto a 21-14 lead at the half.
The third quarter kicked off with a strong defensive effort by Wichita, forcing a three and out for Salina and eventually set the Wild up for a 41 yard field goal. The successful kick by Fambrough handed the Wild a 24-14 lead. Salina cut Wichita's lead to three just minutes later with an 11 yard pitch and catch from Simoneau to wide receiver Pelton Smalls. The Wild struck back with a 15 yard strike from Hinds to wide receiver Joe Kassanavoid, Wild leading 31-21. As the third quarter ended, Salina added one more score by way of a Simoneau four yard touchdown run as Wichita's lead dwindled, 31-28.
The scoring continued midway through the fourth quarter with Hinds completing a five play drive off an eight yard pass to Kassanavoid, extending the Wild lead to 38-28. Wichita continued their struggle to establish momentum and Salina took advantage with a four yard touchdown pass from Simoneau to wide receiver Corey Ham. With the extra point failed, Wichita held a four point lead before increasing it to eleven with a six yard touchdown pass from Hinds to wide receiver Tim Simmons to make the score 45-34. The back and forth shootout continued however, as the Bombers would receive an eight yard touchdown pass from Simoneau to wide receiver Seth Myers. Salina was not able to convert on the two-point conversion allowing Wichita to keep a 45-40 lead. The Wild's next drive stopped at midfield with Fambrough missing a 37 yard field goal, allowing the Bombers one last drive starting from their own five yard line. With three seconds left in the game, Simoneau launched a final attempt toward the endzone from the Salina 17 yard line, but the ball slipped through the hands of wide receiver Attrail Snipes to clinch a 45-40 Wild victory over the Bombers.
The Wild are off next week, before traveling to Sioux City to take on the Bandits May 25th; kickoff scheduled for 7:05 p.m. (CST). The game can be heard on 1410 AM KGSO in the Wichita area or streamed live on kgso.com. Wichita will return home on June 8th to host the Mid-Missouri Outlaws. Tickets start at $5 in the Sport Clips GA Zone and can be purchased by calling (316) 927-3999. For more news and tickets visit www.wichitawildfootball.com and follow the team on Facebook and Twitter (@wichita_wild).
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