Coming off a successful inaugural season, the Salina Bombers are preparing for what they believe will be an ever better second season.

Salina’s first ever indoor football team began play last year in the Champions Professional Indoor Football League. The team exceeded most expectations, making it to the league championship game, but falling just short to the Wichita Wild 47 – 34.

Bombers General Manager Mike Reid tells KSAL News that the team has some unfinished business entering the 2014 season. They would love to return to the championship game, and love another shot at the Wichita Wild. Three of the Bombers four losses in 2013 were to Wichita.

There are a lot of familiar faces on the team as they prepare for the new season, which is just a couple of weeks away. 2013 League MVP Dane Simoneau will be back at quarterback. The former Sacred Heart Knight and Washburn Ichabod last year threw for 2,305 yards and 46 touchdowns, and rushed for another eight.

Simoneau will have a couple of standouts from Kansas Wesleyan University among his wide receiver corps. Ricky Roberts returns, and will be joined by rookie Zach McCLain. Both were 1,000 yard receivers for the Coyotes during their college careers.

The biggest new impact players may be on the defensive side of the ball, both figuratively and literally. Several former K-State Wildcats who were a part of the 2012 Fiesta Bowl and Big 12 Championship team have joined the Bombers. Meshak Williams, who was initially signed by the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, is expected to help anchor the defense. Fellow Wildcats Jarard Milo, Adam Davis, and Jarell Childs are preparing for their first season in Salina as well.

Reid says that the team will again be very visible in the community. They plan to bring players to area schools for events, and also are planning to help at various events that benefit area non-profit agencies.

The new season is only a couple of weeks away. A preseason game is scheduled for Sunday, February 16th, and the season opener is Saturday, February 22nd at the Salina Bicentennial Center.  Season, and single game tickets are on sale now.

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Online: http://www.salinabombers.com/