Wild Head to Salina for Battle against Bombers
Published on May 1, 2014 under Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL)
Wichita Wild News Release
WICHITA, Kan. - After back to back weeks of big wins against Omaha and Oklahoma, the Wichita Wild hit the road Saturday, May 3rd to take on the third placed Salina Bombers (4-2) .This will be the first meeting between the Wild and the Bombers since Champions Bowl I, which resulted in a 47-34 win and a Championship for the Wild. The Wild currently lead the series against the Bombers 3-0.
In Week 9, the Wild hosted the Oklahoma Defenders, who lead the league in touchdowns and rank second in the CPIFL for total offensive yards. The Wild and Defenders were neck and neck for most of the first half, until a blocked Ernesto Lacayo field goal and return for a touchdown as time expired, allowed Oklahoma to take a stunning 30-28 lead at halftime.
In the second half, the Wild defense tightened up, completely shutting down the Defenders in the third quarter, while QB Rocky Hinds led Wichita to 19 unanswered points with one rushing touchdown and two touchdowns to WR Joe Kassanavoid. DB Dan Kontz added insult to injury with a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown, his second in two games, to leave the Defenders down 26 points heading into the fourth quarter.
In the end, the Defenders high powered offense was no match for the Wild's stout defense, who allowed a single touchdown the entire second half, to give the Wild the win in a final score, 67-37.
While the Wild dismantled Oklahoma, Salina (4-2) hosted the Sioux City Bandits (5-2) at the Bicentennial Center. The first quarter was slow, with the Bandits taking a slim 6-3 lead over the Bombers. In the second quarter things heated up with Salina QB Robbie Nallenweg propelling the Bombers to a 29-26 lead at the half after finding WRs Ricky Roberts three times and Zach McClain once in the end zone in his first game with the Bombers. The teams traded touchdowns in the third quarter until Sioux City had three back-to-back scores to take lead and shut down the Bombers with a 56-42 win.
Week 10's match-up between the Wild and Bombers features two similar offenses. The teams are separated by only one offensive score this season, the Wild with 41 offensive touchdowns and Salina with 40. The game will be won the defensive side of the ball as the Bomber's defense will be called on to stop the Wichita passing attack which leads the CPIFL in passing efficiency with a rating of 104.8. Teams have struggled to put pressure on the Wild backfield, having only been sacked seven times all season, so expect the Bombers to throw multiple defensive looks at the Wild offense.
The Wild defense leads the CPIFL in points scored (30.1), sacks (18), third and fourth down opponent efficiency (22.4%), fumbles forced (5), interceptions (11) and boast a +17 turnover margin. Wichita has given up only six rushing scores in seven games only allowing 35 rushing yards to opposing offenses per contest. The Wild will have to work hard to keep Bomber running back, Keithen Valentine under wraps, as he ranks fourth in the league for overall scoring and third for rushing touchdowns with 10.
Player to Watch: Wild RB, Junior Allen
The 5'7", 190 lb. running back from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida has been an intricate part of the Wild rushing attack so far this season. Allen has complemented Tywon Hubbard well and averaged four yards per carry when on the field. The speedy back has two touchdowns this season on the ground and has proven to be a threat out of the back field as well averaging over 8 yards per reception. Allen poses a threat as a kick returner, but has yet to return a kick as most teams look to avoid the lightning quick RB. Look for the Wild to rely heavily on their running backs to exploit a Salina defense that has allowed twice as many touchdowns as the Wild.
The Wild kick-off their game in Salina against the Bombers on Saturday, May 3rd at 7:05 p.m. in the Bicentennial Center. The game can be heard on 1410 AM KGSO or kgso.com, or streamed live on americone.com for a small fee. For the latest news on the Wild, visit www.wichitawildfootball.com and follow the team on Facebook and Twitter (@wichita_wild).
Champions Professional Indoor Football League Stories from May 1, 2014
- Edge to "White-Out" Coliseum Saturday against Koyotes - Bloomington Edge
- Wild Head to Salina for Battle against Bombers - Wichita Wild
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