CIF Weekly Update – Week 11

Battle for Top Spot in the North: The defending CIF Champion Sioux City Bandits will host the Wichita Force Saturday night in a game in which first place in the North Division will be on the line. This outcome of this game could also have huge implications on homefield advantage in the playoffs. Sioux City is currently 7-2, while Wichita is just a half game behind them with a record of 6-2. This game will be the first of two meetings over the next three weeks between the two teams, both of which should have huge playoff implications. Sioux City could also clinch a playoff spot this week with a win and an Omaha loss to Chicago on Friday night.

CIF Expansion?: Could the CIF be planning further expansion for the 2017 season? On KINA radio Thursday morning, Salina Liberty General Manager Francis Flax revealed that a group in Independence, Missouri has applied for membership into the league for next year. If approved, the team would be the first indoor team to be based in the Kansas City market since the Kansas City Renegades abruptly folded after the 2013 CPIFL season. The CIF has not officially announced any expansion plans or approvals for the 2017 season.

Transactions: The Amarillo Venom signed defensive back Brian Isaac on May 12th and added defensive lineman Jamaal Brewton on May 11th. The Chicago Eagles signed kicker Julie Harshbarger on May 12th. The Mesquite Marshals signed defensive back Edward Morgan on May 10th. Sioux City added running back Edward Morgan on May 10th. The Wichita Force signed defensive back Evan Ray on May 11th and both defensive lineman Latavious Davis and kicker Jordan Drake on May 12th. Drake replaces Connor Frazell, who is out for the remainder of the season with a non-football, work-related injury.

Week 11 Results
Chicago 51, Salina 50: A controversial finish left Salina short of a home victory. The Liberty, now 2-7, find themselves in last place in the Northern Division, their playoffs hopes growing dim. Salina has now lost four straight. With the win, Chicago improved to 3-6 on the season and snapped a three game losing streak as well. Salina could officially be eliminated from post-season contention as early as this week with a loss in Bloomington along with an Omaha win over Chicago.

Texas 72, Dodge City 64: The Texas Revolution continues to roll. With the win over Dodge City, Texas improved to 8-1 on the season and opened up a little room in the Southern Division standings. The Law fell to 6-3 with the loss and is now two games behind Texas. The Revs have now won six straight, while the Law had a two-game winning streak come to an end with the loss.

Sioux City 61, Bloomington 33: Sioux City continues to sit on top of the North Division standings. With the win over Bloomington, the Bandits to move to 7-2 on the year, keeping them just a half game ahead of second place Wichita. Sioux City has now won five straight. Bloomington, who had won their previous two games, drops to 3-5, but they are still very much in the hunt for the final playoff spot in the North Division.

Amarillo 52, San Angelo 35: After surprisingly being blown out by San Angelo two weeks earlier, Amarillo bounces back with a big win over the Bandits. The Venom are now 5-3 on the season and find themselves a half game back of second place Dodge City in the South Division. San Angelo, who had won their previous two games after an 0-6 start, slip to 2-7 on the season and are now on the brink of being eliminated from post-season contention.

Duke City 47, Mesquite 43: In a surprisingly close game, Duke City snapped a three game slide by narrowly defeated last place Mesquite. The Gladiators are now 5-4 on the season and are still firmly in the playoff hunt. Mesquite, with their sixth straight loss, drops to 1-8 and has officially become the first team to be eliminated from post-season contention.

Week 11 CIF Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week: Dello Davis, WR, Duke City Gladiators – In helping Duke City get a much needed win over Mesquite, Davis caught 12 passses for 182 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Defensive Player of the Week: Justin Owens, LB, Chicago Eagles – Owens had 9 total tackles, including 7 solos, in the Eagles win over Salina. Owens also had 2 interceptions in that game.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Frederick Bruno, KR, Sioux City Bandits – Bruno returned 4 kicks for 121 yards, including a 58 yard touchdown in Sioux City’s win over Bloomington. He also returned 2 missed field goals for 85 yards.

North Divsion

Sioux City	7-2
Wichita	6-2
Omaha	4-4
Bloomington	3-5
Chicago	3-6
Salina	2-7

South Divsion

Texas	8-1
Dodge City	6-3
Amarillo	5-3
Duke City	5-4
San Angelo	2-7
Mesquite	1-8

Week 12 Schedule
Friday, May 13:
Chicago at Omaha – 7:05 p.m.

Saturday, May 14:
Duke City at Amarillo – 7:05 p.m.
Wichita at Sioux City – 7:05 p.m.
Salina at Bloomington – 7:05 p.m.

BYES: Dodge City, Mesquite, San Angelo, Texas