Wild to Welcome Bombers for Champions Bowl I
June 20, 2013 - Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL)
Wichita Wild News Release
WICHITA, Kan. - The Wichita Wild (11-2) will host the Salina Bombers (10-3) in Champions Bowl I on Saturday, June 22nd at Hartman Arena; kick-off scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The inaugural CPIFL championship game will feature the third meeting between the Wild and Bombers this season. An expansion franchise in its first season, Salina began their organization's campaign with a home match against Wichita in front of a home crowd of over 5,000 fans on March 16th. In that game, the Wild took full advantage of the inexperienced Bombers, earning a convincing 60-34 victory. After a stalled drive by Wichita to open the game, Salina quarterback Dane Simoneau connected on a 45 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ricky Roberts on their first play from scrimmage. The Wild rallied in the second quarter, accruing 30 points, and never looked back on their way to the 60-34 win over the Bombers.
After their franchise opening loss to Wichita, Salina regrouped by winning five out of their next six games before a rematch loomed large for the I-135 rivals on May 11th in Hartman Arena. The Wild entered the game with an 8-1 record and a chance to clinch a playoff berth, while the Bombers aimed their momentum toward a postseason run. As in their previous game, the scoring began with a Salina pass completion from Simoneau to Roberts on a 22 yard connection. Wichita responded with a five yard touchdown pass from quarterback Rocky Hinds to wide receiver Brian Murph followed by a scintillating 57 yard touchdown return by running back Tywon Hubbard. Simoneau and Hinds traded one yard touchdown runs before the first half came to a close with Wichita leading Salina, 21-14. The second half began with a back and forth scoring affair as the Wild held on to a 31-28 advantage heading into the final period. The offensive production on both sides continued with Hinds and Simoneau each completing two passing touchdowns as Wichita furthered their lead, 45-40, midway through the fourth quarter. With 58 seconds left in the game, the Bombers gained possession of the ball with a chance to claim the lead and a win, but Wichita's defense remained stout, forcing Salina into a fourth and eight from their own seven yard line. The Bombers' pass attempt fell incomplete, but Wild defensive lineman James McCartney received a personal foul penalty to extend the drive. Two plays later, Simoneau's final pass attempt into the end zone slipped off the fingertips of wide receiver Attrail Snipes to finalize Wichita's second triumph over Salina, 45-40.
Salina enters the Champions Bowl on Saturday after knocking off the Sioux City Bandits in the semi-finals playoff match up in Sioux City. Kicking was at a premium as the two teams combined for nine field goals, eight of which came in the first half. The Bombers scored the first half's only touchdown on a four yard strike from Simoneau to Roberts to lead the Bandits, 19-12 at halftime. Sioux City outscored Salina 14-7 to start the second half, tying the game at 26 apiece, but Salina kicker Corey Hoover converted an 18 yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to reclaim the lead for the Bombers, 29-26. With 10 seconds left in the game, Sioux City blocked an attempted field goal into the Bomber's end for a safety, leaving Salina clinging to a slim 29-28 lead. After returning the ensuing kickoff 24 yards to their own 16 yard line, the Bandits attempted a 51 yard field goal, but the kick missed wide left to seal Salina's 29-28 victory over Sioux City.
Wichita will host Champions Bowl I after earning a 31-25 playoff victory over the Omaha Beef on the road. The Wild struck first in Ralston Arena when Hinds found wide receiver Joe Kassanavoid for an eight yard touchdown pass. Wichita's defense held Omaha scoreless in the first quarter, but the Beef battled back with a 34 yard field goal and a 45 yard touchdown pass from quarterback James McNear to wide receiver Shaun Stephens in the second quarter to claim a 9-7 advantage for the Beef by halftime. It took one play from scrimmage for the Wild to regain the lead, a 29 yard run from rookie running back Travis Ribbing. After a brief Omaha run with a safety and a 16 yard run by McNear, Wichita took control of the game for good with three straight scores by way of a 30 yard field goal by Alex Fambrough, and two touchdown passes by Hinds. With 16 seconds left in the game, the Beef would convert on a five yard pass from McNear to wide receiver Mike Jones, but it would not be enough for a comeback as Wichita claimed an electric 31-25 victory over Omaha. The Wild were led defensively by safety Chris Hemphill who recorded three interceptions and by recently named CPIFL Defensive Player of the Year, Matt Moss, who disrupted the Beef backfield with three sacks.
Players to Watch:
Salina Bombers: Quarterback Dane Simoneau
Simoneau led the CPIFL in passing yards with 2,109 yards, almost 300 yards more than the next closest quarterback, earning him this year's CPIFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year. Simoneau also finished tied for second with 41 passing touchdowns, but he has a tendency to turn the ball over, having thrown 19 interceptions this season. Simoneau figures to be the majority of the Bombers' offensive attack, so if Matt Moss and the Wild secondary can shut him down, the Bombers may be in for a long night at Hartman Arena.
Wichita Wild: Defensive Back Chris Hemphill, Defensive Lineman Matt Moss
Wichita's defense is stacked with playmakers, including Chris Hemphill and Matt Moss. Matt Moss, this season's CPIFL Defensive Player on the Year, leads the league with 16.5 sacks, 22.5 tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles. In the Wild secondary, Hemphill ranks second in the league with nine interceptions and ninth in tackles with 73. In the most recent match-up of the I-135 rivalry, Hemphill recorded 10 total tackles but the Wild defense did not record any sacks. With Simoneau's propensity for turnovers, completing five passes to the Wild secondary this season, putting pressure on the quarterback and forcing turnovers could be likely for Saturday's game.
Champions Professional Indoor Football League Stories from June 20, 2013
- Wild to Welcome Bombers for Champions Bowl I - Wichita Wild
- Champions Bowl Press Conference Set for Friday, June 21 at 1:00 p.m. - Wichita Wild
- Wild's Moss Wins CPIFL Defensive Player of the Year - Wichita Wild
- CPIFL Announces Individual Awards - CPIFL
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