The Salina Bombers split with the Sioux City Bandits in 2013 with each team winning on the road. Both games came down to the very last play to decide a winner, Sunday was no different. In the marquee game to open the 2014 CPIFL season, the Bombers were able to win on the road, 77-70 in overtime.

Things did not start out well for the Bombers as Fredric Bruno returned the opening kickoff for a Bandit touchdown. The Bombers would come back and get one of their own as Dane Simoneau found Attrail Snipes down the right sideline. Snipes would take the ball away from a Bandit defender with an outstanding effort to make the catch and put the Bombers on the board. The extra point would miss and the Bandits would return the next kickoff for another touchdown. Bandits led 14-6 at that point.

The teams would trade scores and the Bomber defense would get involved as Ira Autrey broke up a Sioux City screen pass that was ruled a fumble. Adam Davis would pick up the loose ball and return it for a Touchdown that would put Salina out in front for the first time, 18-14.

Sioux City would come back and take a 10 point lead near the end of the first half, but the Bombers would score again on a pass from Dane Simoneau to Attrail Snipes. The Bandit lead was cut to 3 at the half, 42-39.

The second half was full of action as the Bomber defense would step up forcing a safety and getting an extra possession for the offense. The score was tied at 70 at the end of regulation.

Salina would start the college style overtime with the ball. In need of a first down, Simoneau would find Ricky Roberts to move the chains. On the very next play, Simoneau would find Roberts for a touchdown. The Andrew Hunt PAT put the Bombers up 77-70. The Bomber defense would hold Sioux City on four incomplete passes to end the game.

The Bombers tallied 392 yards of total offense, led by Simoneau with 278 yards passing and 6 touchdowns. Simoneau also gathered 60 yards rushing on 11 carries. Keithen Valentine was a workhorse in the running game with just 39 yards on 19 carries. However, Valentine found the end zone 3 times.

Ricky Roberts led a depleted Bomber receiving corps in Sunday’s victory. Pelton Smalls is out for the season and Snipes was injured in the game after catching 2 touchdowns. Roberts Caught 3 touchdown passes on 6 receptions and also ran a reverse in for his 4th touchdown.

The Salina Bombers (1-0) will be at home on Friday for a 7:05 pm kick-off at the Bicentennial Center as the Bloomington Edge (0-0) visit.