Wild to Host Outlaws for Fan Appreciation Night
Published on June 7, 2013 under Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL)
Wichita Wild News Release
WICHITA, KS. - The Wichita Wild (9-2) will host the Mid Missouri Outlaws (0-11) June 8 at Hartman Arena; kick-off scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Saturday's game is the final regular season game for the two teams whose fate could not be more different this season. Wichita has already clinched a playoff berth, but will need a win and some help from the Bloomington Edge to host a first round playoff game. The Edge travel to Sioux City to take on the Bandits, an Edge victory would move the Wild back into second place and secure an important home playoff game for Wichita. Mid-Missouri is playing for pride in what has been a disappointing season. The Wild handed the Outlaws their worst loss of the season the last time these two teams met, an 82-9 thrashing in Sedalia on April 27th. That night, Wichita's offense was unstoppable on their way to scoring on every possession of the game. The Wild opened the game with four straight touchdowns, two each for Joe Kassanavoid and Tywon Hubbard, taking a 38-3 lead into halftime against the Outlaws. The Wild defense produced the opening scores of the third quarter courtesy of two interception returns for touchdowns from defensive backs Chris Brown and Chris Hemphill, as the Wild cruised their way to an 82-9 victory.
The Wild enter Saturday's game off their second bye week of the season after suffering a stinging defeat to the Bandits the week before in which the Wild could have secured a home playoff game. Wichita's offense uncharacteristically turned the ball over four times against the Sioux City, while Sioux City had no turnovers. The Wild claimed a 14-10 lead ahead of the Bandits midway through the second quarter, but five straight Sioux City scores to end the half and start the third quarter put the Wild in a hole they could not climb out of. Wichita only managed one touchdown, an eight yard pass from Rocky Hinds to receiver Jarrel Kelley, in the second half and the Bandits won convincingly 46-21.
Mid-Missouri heads into Saturday's game having lost all 11 of their games this season. The Outlaws played their best half of football last Saturday against the Salina Bombers, but would go on to lose to the Bombers 48-23. The Outlaws pulled in front of the Bombers, 23-3, midway through the second quarter via three Kyle Christian touchdown passes and a successful field goal. Salina countered with two touchdowns in the final minute of the second quarter by way of a blocked field goal return and a one yard rushing touchdown. After pulling to within 23-19 of Mid-Missouri at the half, Salina gained all the momentum they needed to recuperate and outscored Mid-Missouri 29-0 in the second half to hand the Outlaws another bad defeat.
Players to Watch: Nick Hardesty / Wild Reserves
If all goes well in Saturday's game, backup quarterback Nick Hardesty should see some valuable playing time. In Wichita's last game against Mid-Missouri, Hardesty was solid taking over for Hinds, completing six of ten passes for 56 yards and two touchdowns. This game should also give the Wild an opportunity to rest key players while giving other reserves important game experience before heading into the CPIFL playoffs next week.
Champions Professional Indoor Football League Stories from June 7, 2013
- Wild to Host Outlaws for Fan Appreciation Night - Wichita Wild
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