Wild to Seek Fifth Win in Kansas City
Published on April 3, 2013 under Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL)
Wichita Wild News Release
Wichita, Kan. - The Wichita Wild (4-0) will travel to Kansas City Saturday, April 6 to take on the Kansas City Renegades (1-2) in Kemper Arena; kick-off scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Wichita, currently riding a four game win streak, comes into the game after most recently capturing a resounding 52-22 victory over the Bloomington Edge on Saturday night in Hartman Arena. After opening the season with two losses, Kansas City clinched their first win of the season last Saturday night, defeating the Oklahoma Defenders in Kemper Arena 54-47.
Wichita started their game against Bloomington quick with wide receiver Tim Simmons returning the opening kickoff to the Bloomington 17 yard line. Three plays later, the Wild were on the board with a six yard touchdown pass from quarterback Rocky Hinds to Simmons giving them an early 7-0 lead. After the Edge struck back with a touchdown of their own, the Wild responded with three unanswered touchdowns via a two yard strike from Hinds to Chris Hemphill and two quarterback sneaks by Hinds to give Wichita a 26-6 lead. Bloomington hit back one more time, with LaVaughn Macon breaking down Wichita's defense at the end of the first half with a touchdown to bring the score, 26-14. Wichita's defense closed the door on Bloomington in the second half, with several of Bloomington's drives ending in turnover on downs. The strong defensive performance led to the Wild scoring 26 unanswered points, with running back Tywon Hubbard registering a 14 yard touchdown run, Hinds throwing two touchdowns, one to wide receiver Joe Kassanavoid and another to wide receiver Brian Murph, a field goal by Alex Fambrough, and the defense recording a safety. The Edge finally broke their scoring drought late in the fourth quarter with a touchdown followed by a successful two-point conversion, but the score would do no good as the Wild took their fourth win of the season in the final, 52-22. Wichita was led defensively by defensive linemen Matt Moss and James McCartney who had three and two sacks respectively, while Hinds controlled the offense with six touchdowns, four passing and two rushing.
Kansas City entered their game against Oklahoma having lost their first two games by an average of 11.5 points. At the start of the second quarter, the Renegades trailed the Defenders 14-7, but Kansas City quarterback Dennis Gile threw two touchdowns and ran for another to account for 19 unanswered points, giving the Renegades a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the game. With both teams trading touchdowns in the third quarter, Oklahoma was able to tie the game at 33 after a minute gone in the final quarter, but Kansas City pulled away with consecutive scores late in the game to build a 54-39 lead. As the game wound down, the Defenders were able to manage one more touchdown off a fumble recovery, giving Kansas City a 54-47 victory over Oklahoma. The Renegades received a strong performance by Gile, who accounted for all of their touchdowns, seven through the air and one on the ground, while wide receiver Clinton Solomon caught nine passes for 110 yards and four touchdowns. Solomon, a previous member of the Wild and also named the CPIFL's Offensive Player of the Week, will need to continue his outstanding play to have any chance against his former team's impossible defense.
Player to Watch: Defensive Lineman Matt Moss
Matt Moss has been a force for opposing teams' offensive lines this season. Moss currently leads the CPIFL in tackles for loss and forced fumbles with 10.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles, while placing second in the league in sacks with 7.5 sacks, earning him a spot as the CPIFL's Defensive Player of the Week. The CPIFL leader in sacks, Wild defensive lineman James McCartney who has registered 9.5 sacks, has benefited from playing on the opposite side of the line as Moss. With Moss occupying the primary focus of the opposing teams this season, often obtaining double teams, McCartney has been free to wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines. Watch for Moss to find the Renegades' quarterback in Kansas City and make big plays to create scoring opportunities for the Wild offense.
The Wild will be on the road for the next two weeks, first taking on the Kansas City Renegades this week in Kemper Arena followed by the Bloomington Edge in U.S. Cellular Coliseum on April 12th; kickoff for both games is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. (CST). For those not attending the game, it can be heard on 1410 AM KGSO in the Wichita area or streamed live on kgso.com. Wichita will return home on April 20, hosting long-time rivals, the Omaha Beef, at 7:05 p.m. Tickets start at $5 and can be purchased by calling (316) 927-3999. For more news and tickets visit www.wichitawildfootball.com and follow the team on Facebook and Twitter (@wichita_wild).
Champions Professional Indoor Football League Stories from April 3, 2013
- Wild to Seek Fifth Win in Kansas City - Wichita Wild
- Solomon, Moss, and Grixby Named CPIFL Players of the Week - CPIFL
- Haymakers Gear Up For Road Game Against Bloomington Edge - Lincoln Haymakers
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