Wichita’s playmakers sink Rochester

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BY KOLLEN LONG

The Wichita Eagle

PARK CITY — Brandon Russell, the Wichita Wild’s beefy defensive lineman, tossed the quarterback to the ground, lumbered a few steps and then stood at the 5-yard line, arms outstretched, and soaked in the adulation from the most enthusiastic crowd of the season.

“Hey, that was for the fans,” said the 6-foot, 305-pounder, who had three sacks. “I like to give ‘em a show.”

He could have been speaking for the entire team.

In a Wildly entertaining game, Wichita committed some awful mistakes but made enough spectacular plays to upend the Rochester (N.Y.) Raiders 45-33 in a second-round Indoor Football League playoff game on Friday night in Hartman Arena.

The Wild, 11-5, advances to the United Conference championship game for the second straight season. Wichita will play the winner of tonight’s game between Chicago and Sioux Falls. If Chicago wins, the Wild will host on Saturday.

While the game featured several momentum changes, it was fairly easy to analyze: The Wild’s top players turned in star performances.

Tireless running back Darius Fudge scored three touchdowns, including a highlight-worthy four-yarder that put the Wild up 32-16 in the second quarter. On the run, he went wide left and dove, stretching the football into the end zone at the peak of his leap.

“I had great blocking on the edge, so I knew I was gonna be one on one,” Fudge said. “When I get that close, I feel like I have a nose for the end zone. I knew we needed it, so I had to get it.

“It’s playoff time. There’s no tomorrow.”

Not to be outdone, the Wild’s all-league receiver, Clinton Solomon, caught two touchdown passes, including one that rivaled Fudge’s TD. In the third quarter, he snared a pass in the back of the end zone and flipped over the back wall.

“It’s big-time football now,” he said. “All the playmakers have to step up and make plays.”

Finally, quarterback Dixie Wooten appeared to be completely healed from a nagging thumb injury on his throwing hand. In command all night, he completed 19 of 23 passes for 135 yards and three touchdowns.

Wooten was particularly efficient on a key touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter. With the Wild clinging to a 38-33 lead, he flawlessly led a six-play, 36-yard drive — a march capped by Fudge’s two-yard run.

“Oh, man, that was a big drive,” Wooten said. “We got together in the huddle and said we had to get it done.”

As for the negatives, Randy Kelly fumbled on the opening kickoff (He made it up for later with a long return that set up a TD). And defensive lineman James McCartney scooped up a fumble and appeared headed for a score, but he fumbled and Richmond regained possession.

But the most-concerning errors were committed by kicker Dylan Pohlman, who missed four consecutive extra points. Coach Ken Matous said that Pohlman was tired from working his landscaping job all week.

“It’s a big deal, but I believe in Dylan,” said Matous, who praised Pohlman’s work on kickoffs.