Wild Struggle, Drop to Bandits in Sioux City
May 25, 2013 - Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL)
Wichita Wild News Release
Wichita, KS - The Wichita Wild (9-2) fell to the Sioux City Bandits (8-2) on Saturday night in the Tyson Events Center in a final score 46-21. With repeated mistakes on both sides of the ball including a total of four turnovers, the Wild struggled to find the rhythm needed to beat a dynamic Bandits defense.
After beginning the first drive of the game with a dropped pass by Rashad Daniels, the Wild marched down the field. After a tough penalty for a false start and a sack, Wichita came up empty on the opening drive for the first time in several games after a missed 38 yard field goal attempt by kicker Alex Fambrough. Their first attempt at defending the Bandits since 2010 was halted when they were charged with a penalty on third down to give them another shot in Wild territory which was eventually cashed in for a three yard touchdown run from running back Drew Prohaska to leave the Wild trailing 7-0. On a one play scoring drive, Rashad Daniels redeemed himself with a huge 40 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Rocky Hinds to tie the game at 7 apiece. The Bandits retained the ball on their second attempt at their own three yard line and would drive all the way down to the Wild five, but would not be able to convert before the quarter ended.
At the beginning of the second quarter the Bandits continued their attempt at a score from the four yard line but two consecutive stops courtesy of defensive lineman James McCartney and defensive back Dan Kontz held Sioux City to just a 29 yard field goal by Bandits kicker Max Martin, leaving the score 10-7. A harsh set of penalties left the Wild at their own two yard line at the start of their next drive, but after the Bandits' newly signed defensive back Pompey Festejo committed a personal foul penalty, Hinds responded with a 19 yard connection to Tim Simmons for a Wild touchdown, giving the Wild their first lead of the game 14-10 over the Bandits. The Bandits attempted a comeback but a huge defensive stand by the Wild defense including Matt Moss and Joe Kassanavoid held them to just a field goal attempt which was missed. A rare fumble by running back Tywon Hubbard and only the second of the year for the team resulted in a Sioux City touchdown to put them back in the lead, 17-14. Another consecutive turnover for the Wild off an interception gave the Bandits another opportunity to score before the end of the half. They would cash in on a naked bootleg from quarterback Scott Jensen to further their lead 24-14. In a chance to score before the end of the half, Fambrough attempted a 38 yard field goal with five seconds left, but missed to leave the Wild trailing by 10 at the half.
Trouble continued for the Wild as the Bandits built on their lead with a 42 yard field goal by Martin on the opening drive to extend their advantage 27-14 and then went on to stop a Wichita drive which ended in another missed field goal by Fambrough. Sioux City continued to drive and Wichita was able to hold them to a 24 yard field goal, leaving them trailing 30-14. The Wild had more trouble with the Bandits defense as Hinds was picked off by Jon Smith for the second time of the night to end the third quarter.
The Bandits cashed in on the turnover with another field goal by Martin from 33 yards out to make the lead 33-14 over the Wild. Wichita broke their 30 minute scoring drought on fourth down and three with a pass from Hinds to wide receiver Jarell Kelley for a 12 yard touchdown to cut the Bandits' lead. Sioux City answered back with a touchdown of their own and an interception return for a touchdown and a 46-21 lead to secure a victory over the Wild.
Wichita will return home for their second bye week followed by their final home game on June 8 against the Mid Missouri Outlaws for Fan Appreciation Night; kick-off set for 7:05 p.m. In appreciation for their fans, the Wild are offering a buy one $9 ticket, get one free special along with playoff shirts available for sale starting at $16. Tickets can be purchased by calling 316.927.3999 or visiting stage1tickets.com. For more information about the Wild visit www.wichitawildfootball.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@wichita_wild).
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