SIOUX CITY | The Sioux City Bandits indoor football team seeks to return to the pinnacle in 2014 after not hoisting a championship trophy at the end of the 2013 season for the first time in three seasons.
Playing in the Tyson Events Center, the Bandits won the two championships in the American Professional Football League, before moving to the Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL), a new league, in 2013.
But after the prior two seasons ended in championships, the 2013 campaign finished in disappointment with a one-point home game playoff loss.
"We lost in the first round, lost on a last-second missed field goal," Coach Erv Strohbeen said.
"We just fell a little bit short, and I think we can get that championship this year."
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He said the team, which finished 10-3, was hampered by losing two starting receivers and two offensive lineman early in the campaign.
Strohbeen has been involved in some capacity every year with the Bandits since the team began play in the 2001 season. He also played in the 2000 season with the Sioux City Attack, the predecessor of the Bandits. Strohbeen retired as a Bandits player in 2009 as the leader in games played with 130.
The team in March began playing a 12-game schedule, with six home games, through late May. Strohbeen said the top CPIFL teams appear to be Salina and Wichita, while perhaps Dodge City, a new team in the league, could make a push.
"The league is looking up this year," he said.
The team has 28 players, with many familiar names returning. A large number of veterans helps, since they know the Bandits' systems, Strohbeen said. There was only one rookie among the offensive starters as the season began.
"When we open camp up, we don't have to install things in parts. We hit the ground running," he said.
"It has equated to success on the field."
Scott Jensen, who has thrown 154 touchdown passes in his Bandits career, returns at quarterback. Lorenzo Brown, a former University of Sioux Falls standout, will also get some time at quarterback.
Running back Johnny Bentley is back. He has rushed for the second-most career yards in Bandits history. Last June, he set the team's single-game rushing record with 193 yards when defeating Bloomington 48-36 in front of 4,999 at the Tyson Events Center.
Bentley, who carried 27 times, broke the old mark of 168 yards set by Fred Jackson in the Indoor Football League championship game in August 2005. After leaving the Bandits, Jackson has had a long career with the Buffalo Bills.
Defensively, the Bandits are adjusting to life without linebacker Spetlar Tonga who retired last season, leaving a void bigger than just his spot on the field.
"It is not going to be easy to replace Spetlar because he brought a lot of experience, a lot of talent to the table and you kind of take that for granted," Bandits defensive coordinator John Zevenbergen said.
But Strohbeen said the defense is highly talented with seasoned players.
"Defensively, we bring back a lot of veterans as well," he said.
Many games have drawn well over 4,000 fans, and beyond 5,000 fans at times. Strohbeen is thankful for such devoted Bandits backers inside the Tyson.
"We have a great following. We lead the league in attendance, and our fans treat us well," he said.
