Wild Ready to Battle Beef for First Place
April 18, 2013 - Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL)
Wichita Wild News Release
WICHITA, Kan. - The Wichita Wild (5-1) will host the first place and currently undefeated Omaha Beef (4-0) on April 20th at Hartman Arena; kick-off scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Despite playing in a new league, Wichita and Omaha are very familiar opponents from their days in the Indoor Football League. The two teams have squared off eight times since 2010 with each team winning four games; the last matchup was not so even however. On May 5th, 2012 led by Tywon Hubbard's six all-purpose touchdowns the Wild butchered the Beef 77-41 at Hartman Arena. Both teams head into Saturday's meeting on the heels of hard fought victories. The Beef narrowly escaped the Lincoln Haymakers 55-49 in Lincoln last Friday, while the Wild beat the Bloomington Edge for the second time this season 49-35 in Bloomington. This game features the number one and two teams in the league, although the Wild have played two more games than the Beef.
In Bloomington, Wichita escaped with a win in an uncharacteristically sloppy game that featured six turnovers between both teams. The Beef and Wild were held scoreless in the first quarter, but Wichita quickly jumped out to a 23-3 lead in the second quarter scoring two touchdowns and two safeties. Edge quarterback David Knighton put together a quick drive, rushing for a touchdown with just 30 seconds remaining in the first half to cut the Wild lead to 23-9 going into halftime. Bloomington would climb back, scoring two touchdowns to bring the score to 26-22 with six minutes remaining in the third, but on the ensuing kick-off, Wild running back Tywon Hubbard returned the kick 56 yards to increase the Wild lead to 32-22. The Edge would score again just seconds into the fourth on a three yard touchdown run from Andre Raymond to push Bloomington within three, 32-29. Wild quarterback Rocky Hinds connected with Joe Kassonavoid and Tim Simmons for their second touchdowns of the game later in the fourth, allowing Wichita to pull away from the Edge with a 49-35 victory.
Last Friday in Lincoln, Omaha continued their unbeaten streak with a hot start against the Haymakers. The Beef opened the first half by scoring touchdowns on all five drives to start the game, including three touchdowns from running back RJ Rollins. Lincoln added 21 points of their own and would go into halftime down 34-21 to the Beef. Omaha saw their lead slip away in the third as the Haymakers would outscore the Beef 21-7. Down by one, 42-41, Omaha scored two touchdowns to open the fourth quarter and eventually overcame Lincoln in a final score of 55-49.
Saturday's matchup will feature two of the top three offensive teams and the two top defensive teams in the CPIFL. Both Wichita and Omaha are capable of producing a high number of points as they currently average 51.0 points per game and 44.8 points per game respectively so far this season. That kind of offensive power coupled with the top two scoring defenses in the league has Omaha and Wichita sitting in first and second place mid-way through this inaugural season. This game could determine which team may snag the top seed in league when playoffs arrive.
Player to Watch: Running Back Tywon Hubbard
Tywon Hubbard, this week's CPIFL Co-Special Teams Player of the Week, has been an elite playmaker for the Wild this season. Hubbard ranks near the top of the CPIFL in nearly every category for running backs this season. He leads the league in rushing yards with 352, and rushing touchdowns with 10. His per game rushing average of 70.4 yards is more than 13 yards better than the next closest running back, KingJack Washington from the Oklahoma Defenders. Despite missing one game this season against the Kansas City Renegades in the Wild's only loss, Hubbard is still tied with teammate Joe Kassanavoid for the CPIFL leader in total touchdowns this season at 11. Hubbard torched Omaha for six touchdowns last season and if he nears the same performance Saturday, the Beef could be in for a long night at Hartman Arena.
The Wild will be at Hartman Arena April 20th to take on the Omaha Beef; 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's next game will be in Sedalia, MO on April 27th, to take on the Mid-Missouri Outlaws at the Mathewson Exhibition Center; kick off scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CST). For more news and tickets visit www.wichitawildfootball.com and follow the team on Facebook and Twitter (@wichita_wild).
Champions Professional Indoor Football League Stories from April 18, 2013
- Wild Ready to Battle Beef for First Place - Wichita Wild
- Renegade Wins League Honors for 3rd Straight Week - Kansas City Renegades
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