Wild Seek Fifth Win in Road Trip to Omaha
Published on April 17, 2014 under Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL)
Wichita Wild News Release
WICHITA, Kan. - The Wichita Wild (4-1) will travel to Omaha this weekend to take on the Beef (3-3), a rivalry dating back to each team's IFL days. Kick-off for the game on Saturday at Ralston Arena is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and can be heard on 1410 KGSO or streamed on americaone.com. Wichita is coming off a convincing defeat of the Lincoln Haymakers 49-32, continuing their home dominance at Hartman Arena, where they are undefeated for the season. The Beef were out-gunned at home by the Sioux City Bandits in their last contest; a shootout that ended in a 61-55 defeat. This is the first meeting of the two teams since the first round of the 2013 CPIFL playoffs, when the Wild defeated the Beef in Omaha en route to their first championship.
Wichita enters Saturday's game having beaten the Haymakers for the second time this season. The Wild scored on their first play from scrimmage with a 32-yard bomb from QB Rocky Hinds to Rashad Daniels to give Wichita a quick 7-0 lead. On the ensuing drive, the Haymakers offense stormed down to the Wichita two yard line, but DL James McCartney stripped former Wild RB Travis Ribbing on 3rd and goal from the two-yard line. Hinds would cap off a seven play four minute drive with a three-yard touchdown run to give the Wild a 14-0 lead. In the second quarter, Brandon Jenkins would force another Lincoln fumble, this one recovered by Wild newcomer Latavious Davis in the end zone to give Wichita a 26-6 lead over the Haymakers. The fumble recovery for a touchdown is the Wild's fourth over five games. The Haymakers were able to outscore the Wild in the second half, 20-16, but it would not be enough to overcome their large first half deficit. The Wild's four forced turnovers against Lincoln gives the team 14 on the season, which puts them first place in the CPIFL with a +10 turnover margin. This will be important heading into Saturday's game, as the Beef are currently last in the league with a -8 turnover margin.
Omaha will host the Wild on the heels of a 61-55 home defeat at the hands of the Sioux City Bandits, the only team to defeat the Wild this season. The Beef and Bandits scored three touchdowns apiece in the first half of their game last week. Two missed Bandit extra points would give the Beef a 21-19 lead going into half time. Despite a strong offensive output in the second half, the Beef were unable to stop the Bandits, especially WR Eddie Pertilla who totaled three catches for 90 yards and three touchdowns. The Wild defense will have to contend with Beef QB Chris Coffin, who completed 27-41 passes for 207 yards and 7 touchdowns and 1 interception against the Bandits. Coffin has been on fire since taking over the starting quarterback position in Omaha. In his past three games, Coffin has completed 73-111 of his passes for 715 yards and 22 touchdowns. However, two of his outstanding performances has come against the leagues two worst pass defenses, the Bloomington Edge and Kansas Koyotes. Wichita currently leads the CPIFL in pass defense, only allowing 130.2 yards per game and are tied for second with 14 touchdowns allowed and 7 interceptions.
Players to Watch: Wild Defensive Secondary
In the two games since losing standout DB Kendrick Harper, the Wild have allowed 176 yards per game through the air, which is 76 more yards a game than the 100 yards they allowed in their first three games of the season. Omaha's passing attack has come alive the past three weeks since Coffin took over at quarterback. The Beef has scored and average of 59 points a game over their last three contests and will continue to look for points through the air. If Wichita's secondary is in top form, the Beef will face their toughest defensive opponent of the season. Look for new corner, Evan Ray to step up and make a big contribution to the Wild Defense. In his first game, Ray recorded a late interception against the Haymakers and looked good overall in coverage.
Wichita kicks off game six of the regular season in Ralston Arena against the Beef at 7:05 p.m. 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 17, 2014
- Top Offenses Meet Saturday as Edge Host Bandits - Bloomington Edge
- Wild Seek Fifth Win in Road Trip to Omaha - Wichita Wild
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