Wild Survive Top-Ranked Bandits
Published on June 1, 2014 under Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL)
Wichita Wild News Release
WICHITA, Kan. -The Wichita Wild (9-2) took first place in the CPIFL and clinched a home playoff game with their 59-54 win over the Sioux City Bandits (9-3) Saturday night in Hartman Arena. The game was reminiscent of the first time the two teams met in Sioux City, but the result was reversed. At one point up 46-18, the Wild withstood a tough Bandit offense who battled back scoring 28 points in the fourth quarter. Led by Rocky Hinds who went 20-31 with 184 yards and 4 touchdowns, and K Ernesto Lacayo who hit three field goals from 36 yards out or more, the Wild offense prevailed for the win.
The Wichita Wild's first offensive possession was solid, ending in a two-yard pass from Hinds to Hemphill on a one handed grab to give the wild an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter. On Sioux City's first chance on offense, DB Kendrick Harper picked off Scott Jensen to give the Wild another chance to score. Faced with third and long, Hinds found Rashad Daniels for a touchdown on a 40 yard bomb to give the Wild a 14-0 lead. Sioux City hit back with a touchdown of their own on a touchdown run from RB Johnny Bentley to cut into the Wild lead, but Lacayo nailed a 48-yard field goal to keep the Wild in the lead 17-6 at the end of the first quarter.
James McCartney opened the second quarter for the Wild with a lateral to Hinds resulting in a touchdown and a 24-6 lead early on. The Wild defense was just as spectacular in the second half as they were the first, holding the notoriously high scoring Bandit offense to just six points, which came when Bentley earned his second rushing touchdown of the night. Lacayo was able to build back up the Wild lead when he hit his second 48 yard field goal of the night to put them up 27-12. The Bandits shot themselves in the foot with a holding penalty that resulted in negative yards in the end zone for a safety. With a lead under control the Wild offense, was able to get Lacayo two more field goal chances, one from 35 yards that was missed and one that was made from 32 yards out as the clock expired for a 32-12 lead over the Bandits at halftime
The third quarter was back and forth between the teams, each scoring two touchdowns. WR Jarrel Kelley scored back to back touchdowns on catches from Hinds to keep the Wild in the lead, while the Bandits converted on two of their own, one of which came on a 39-yard pass from Jensen to Damon Mothershead. Lacayo also converted on a 18-yard field goal for a 49-26 lead over the Bandits.
In the fourth quarter, things started unraveling for the Wild secondary, who gave up three straight scores (Bruno, Pree, Franklin) and one of the Bandits three two-point conversion attempts. Those scores let the Bandits back in the game, bringing the score 49-46 with 8:33 left in regulation. The Wild offense got back in gear, with Hinds scoring on a quarterback scramble to keep the Bandit at bay. Hemphill came up big for the Wild with a huge interception on Jensen to shut down any hopes they had of a comeback and Lacayo put the nail in the coffin when he a 36 yard field goal to secure a 59-54 win and first place in the CPIFL.
The Wild finish up regular season play when they host a Salina Bomber team that scraped by the (4-8) Omaha Beef next Saturday, June 7th in Hartman Arena. With a win next Saturday, the Wild will clinch home field advantage in the playoffs. That night will be Orange-out night presented by State Farm and includes a t-shirt giveaway, $5 tickets in the orange and green level sections and a post-game autograph session. Fans not attending the game can follow the Wild on 1410 AM KGSO or kgso.com, or stream the game 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 June 1, 2014
- Wild Survive Top-Ranked Bandits - Wichita Wild
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