Renegades Comeback Falls Short, Lose to Salina 47-31

The crowd at Kemper Arena and a second half comeback attempt couldn’t help KC avoid losing their first game in a month, as the Renegades (now 4-3) lost 47-31 to the Salina Bombers (now 4-2).

KC narrowed an 11-point halftime deficit to 3 points early in the fourth quarter thanks to a Kansas City fumble recovery and Keithen Valentine score. But Salina kept the lead out of reach when they scored on a 4th and goal from the goalline on their following drive. Kansas City appeared to have intercepted the ball earlier in the drive, but it was wiped away by an offside penalty.

Following Salina’s clutch score, Kansas City had their chance to answer and narrow it back to a 3-point game. But a Carlos Cavanaugh pass got deflected into the air and found a Bomber. The turnover (KC was -1 in turnovers on the game) led directly to another Salina score, putting the game away at 47-31.

The two offenses had different M.O.’s. The Bombers dazzled their traveling fans with multiple deep touchdown completions and very few goalline scores. Meanwhile, Kansas City consistently marched methodically down to the goalline, but had some issues once they got there.

Running back Keithen Valentine scored two rushing touchdowns, but Kansas City was denied on two other drives at the goalline. Valentine also had a reception touchdown. WR Anthony Parks had a receiving touchdown to round out KC’s four touchdown scores.

Special teams threat OJ Simpson was neutralized for the second week in a row because the Bombers refused to kick him the ball. Instead they squibbed it. In the second quarter, a surprise onside kick caught KC off guard. The recovery and quick touchdown score extended Salina’s lead to 28-10 in the 2nd quarter, a score that Kansas City had to slowly work their way back from.

Kansas City seemed to capture the momentum early in the 4th quarter when Keithen Valentine caught a Cavanaugh pass following a Kansas City fumble recovery. That brought the score to 34-31 Salina, but was as close as KC got.

Following Valentine’s score, the Renegades were unsuccessful on an onside kick attempt, giving the ball to Salina inside the 10. The defense put up a stand, but on fourth down Salina scored on a pitch to the left.

When it came time for Kansas City to bring it back to a 3-point game with around 3 minutes to play, Cavanaugh’s pass was deflected and intercepted. The turnover and resulting Salina touchdown sealed the game.

Kansas City, 4-3, plays host to Sioux City next Saturday at 7:05. Sioux City beat KC earlier this year, 38-26.

Final

Salina Bombers            7 21 3 16 – 47

Kansas City Renegade 3 14 7   7 – 31

Game Stats