Wild and Bandits Battle for Key Playoff Positions
May 23, 2013 - Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL)
Wichita Wild News Release
WICHITA, Kan. - The Wichita Wild (9-1) travel to take on the Sioux City Bandits (7-2) on May 25th at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa; kick-off scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Saturday's game will be crucial for both teams as Wichita will be battling to remain in first place in the CPIFL standings while Sioux City currently sits in third place, one game behind Wichita and Omaha in the loss column. A victory for the Wild will secure at least a first round home playoff game at Hartman Arena, where the team is 5-0 on the season, whereas a Bandits victory would improve the team's record to 8-2 and increase their chances to make the CPIFL playoffs.
Fresh off a bye week, the latest for any team in the league, Wichita aims to extend their current winning streak to six games with the latest victory coming at home, 45-40 over the Salina Bombers. Led by running back Tywon Hubbard, who recorded 261 yards of all-purpose yards, Wichita held control throughout the game. A force on special teams, Hubbard set a league record with 57 yard return for a touchdown off a Bombers missed field goal to open the second quarter. Wild defensive back Kendrick Harper continued to shut down his half of the field, picking off three Salina passes to further his league lead in interception to ten. Harper and Hubbard's play against the Bombers earned them CPIFL Defensive Player of the Week and Special Teams Player of the Week respectively. Salina proved to be much tougher than the first time the two teams met, as they took over possession following a missed field goal attempt at their own five yard line with just 58 seconds remaining. On fourth and eight, Salina wide receiver Pelton Smalls dropped a pass that would have given the team a first down near midfield, but the Bombers received new life when Wild defender James McCartney was flagged for roughing the passer giving the Bombers a new set of downs on the 17 yard line. Salina took two shots at the end zone, one deflected by Harper the other dropped by Salina wide receiver Attrail Snipes, allowing the Wild to clinch a narrow 45-40 victory.
The Bandits enter this weekend's game after securing a 24-17 victory against the Lincoln Haymakers in a game that came down to the wire. Sioux City wide receiver Damon Mothershead, CPIFL Offensive Player of the Week, scored with just 22 seconds remaining in the first half to give the Bandits a 14-7 halftime lead. The Haymakers nodded the game at 14 apiece by way of a 27 yard pass from backup quarterback David Knighton to wide receiver Nick Rhodes for the only score of the third quarter. Sioux City answered quickly in the fourth quarter on Mothershead's second touchdown reception of the game and the teams traded field goals later in the period. The Haymakers had one final chance to tie the game with a drive starting on the 17 yard line with 2:45 left on the clock. Knighton drove the Haymakers to a first and goal on the one yard line but an incomplete pass to Rhodes as time expired gave the Bandits their seventh victory of the season.
The matchup will feature the top ranked rushing offense in Sioux City, who average 111.9 yards per game, and the top ranked rushing defense in Wichita, who only allow 44.5 yards per game. The Wild also rank second in the league with 85.3 rushing yards per game, while the Bandits rank second in rushing defense, holding their opponents to 48.3 rushing yards per game. The Wild clearly have the advantage in the air and the secondary is the best in league. If Sioux City cannot get the ground game going it could be a long night for the Bandits.
Player to Watch: Rocky Hinds
Rocky Hinds has been impressive all season throwing for a CPIFL leading 35 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. Look for Hinds to take advantage of a Bandits secondary that is giving up over 135 yards per game through the air, eighth in the league. In his most recent game against the Bombers, Hinds completed 12 of 22 passes for 101 yards, 4 touchdowns, and just one interception. Over the last four games, Rocky has passed for nine touchdowns versus only two interceptions, while completing over 60 percent of his passes.
The Wild will have their second bye week following Saturday's game against Sioux City, and will return home for their final game of the regular season June 8th against the Mid-Missouri Outlaws; kickoff scheduled for 7:05p.m. It is Fan Appreciation Night and all $9 reserved level seats will be buy one get one free. The game can be heard on 1410 AM KGSO in the Wichita area or streamed live on kgso.com. Single game tickets start at just $5 for general admission in the Sport Clips GA zone and can be purchased by calling (316) 927-3999 or visiting www.stage1tickets.com. For more news and information visit www.wichitawildfootball.com and follow the team on Facebook and Twitter (@wichita_wild).
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Champions Professional Indoor Football League Stories from May 23, 2013
- Wild and Bandits Battle for Key Playoff Positions - Wichita Wild
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