Wild Return Home to Battle Haymakers
Published on April 10, 2014 under Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL)
Wichita Wild News Release
WICHITA, Kan. - After a disappointing first loss of the season for the Wild on the road in a game that came down to the wire against the Sioux City Bandits, the now 3-1 Wichita Wild are ready to host the (2-3) Lincoln Haymakers for Salute to Service Night Presented by Kakeland. Kick-off for the game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. in Hartman Arena. This will be the second meeting between the two teams this season, which saw the Wild take the first game 62-10 over the Haymakers in Lincoln.
Last week against the Bandits, the Wild struggled both offensively and defensively at times. The Wild defense gave up 48 points to the Bandits, the most it has given up all season, but still held the Bandits high scoring offense far below their 61 pt. scoring average. It was a back and forth game for the entire first half, but the Bandits were able to take advantage of the Wild's mistakes early in the third quarter to go on a 16-0 run, leaving the Wild behind 45-24. The Wild were finally able to respond with a comeback led by QB Rocky Hinds who was 21 for 30 with four touchdowns and one interception to tie up the game at 45 apiece. After the Wild defense was able to hold the Bandits to a field goal in the fourth quarter, the Wild had a chance to attempt one of their own in the final minute, but were unable to convert and lost a 48-45 nail-biter in the final minute of the game. Despite allowing 48 points last week, Wichita still leads the CPIFL in touchdowns allowed (14), yards allowed per game (154.2), rushing yards per game (34.5), and average points allowed (27.2). The Haymakers will have to find a better offensive rhythm and put more points on the board in order to beat the steady Wild defense.
Week 6 was tough for the Haymakers as well, as they lost a high scoring affair at home against the Oklahoma Defenders, 61-73, dropping them to 2-3 on the season. Since losing their first two games of the season against Wichita and Sioux City, the Haymakers have scored a combined 174 points, making them the highest scoring team in the league in the last three game span. Part of the Haymakers offensive success can be attributed to RB and former Wild player, Travis Ribbing who tops the charts in the CPIFL for rushing touchdowns with eight. Though the offense were able to put up major points, their special teams struggled against Oklahoma allowing a whopping 26 points and putting them in an impossible position to overcome the Defenders. In week 2 of the season, the Wild traveled to Oklahoma and won a close game of their own 50-44, their closest margin of victory this year. With both teams playing in close games against the Defenders, fans can expect a much different game than their first meeting, with Lincoln ready to put forth their best effort to come away with a win in Wichita.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Wild RB, Tywon Hubbard
Kansas City, KS native, Hubbard leads the CPIFL in rushing yards with 241 yards on 57 attempts and three scores, averaging 60.2 yards per game. In the season opener against Lincoln, Hubbard went off for 81 yards on 17 attempts with two touchdowns in the Wild's first win of the season. He was also effective catching out of the backfield in the opener receiving three of QB Rocky Hinds' 14 completions. In the home opener against Dodge City, Hubbard averaged 4 yards per carry with one TD. Expect Hubbard to carry the load on the ground for the Wild against Lincoln this Saturday.
Kick-off for this Saturday's game in Hartman Arena between the Wild and Haymakers is set for 7:05 p.m. Saturday night is Salute to Service Night presented by Kakeland and features a pregame tailgate from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with $2 beer and a replica jersey giveaway as well as a post-game fireworks show. Tickets are still available starting at $8 in general admission and can be purchased by visiting ticketmaster.com or calling 1.800.745.3000. The game can be heard on 1410 AM KGSO or kgso.com, or streamed live on americaone.com for a small fee. For the latest news on the Wild, visit www.wichitawildfootball.com or follow the team on Facebook and Twitter (@wichita_wild).
Champions Professional Indoor Football League Stories from April 10, 2014
- Wild Return Home to Battle Haymakers - Wichita Wild
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