Beef stay perfect, defeat Liberty 36-31

April 16, 2023

The rematch of the last two Champions Bowls started as an offense show only to turn into a defensive battle for the last three quarters as the Omaha Beef held on to defeat the Salina Liberty 36-31 at Tony’s Pizza Events Center in Salina, Kansas. The two teams combined to score 40 first quarter points only to score 27 points the rest of the game.

The undefeated Beef (5-0) led from the start as Gourney Sloan caught a 16-yard pass from Tommy Armstrong on the third play of the first drive and after Paul Ortiz extra point the Beef led 7-0. The Liberty (4-2) responded as Tracy Brooks returned the kickoff the length of the field, but James Kazalski missed his PAT. Omaha needed three plays to score again as Armstrong ran in from the nine yardline. After a defensive stop, the Beef needed four plays to see Jeff Mack score from one yard out and led 20-6. Salina’s JaVonte Johnson hit Anthony Love with a 25-yard pass to cut it back to a single score game. The first quarter ended with a two play Beef drive as Sloan caught a 15-yard pass from Armstrong as Omaha took a 27-13 lead. Omaha gained 110 yards on 12 plays in the quarter only to see them run 43 plays for 155 yards the last three quarters. The Beef could not find the endzone the rest of the game as James Ortiz hit three field goals from (21,19,28 yards) to account for Beef’s last nine points.

Salina pulled to within 27-13 at halftime after Nick Eilers hit Demarius Washington on the first of his two touchdown catches from 24 yards. After a scoreless third quarter, Johnson hit Washington on a four-yard pass to cut the Beef led to 33-25 with 5 minutes left. Ortiz hit his third field goal with 1:09 left only to see Johnson hit Moe Strong to cut the lead to four with 27 seconds left, but the extra point pass failed, and Jeff Mack was able to run the clock out as the Beef remained on top of the Champions Indoor Football standings.

The Beef defense was able to hold Tracy Brooks, the CIF leading rusher, to 28 yards on ten carries and Salina’s two quarterbacks went a combined 10-25 for only 115 yards. Dreko Statham picked off Nick Eilers twice as the Liberty were outgained 265-151. Key James Black led the Beef with six tackles, while two-time Defensive Player of the Week JayShawn Washington added 5 tackles of which three were tackled for losses.

 Armstrong threw two touchdowns while going 13 of 18 for 135 yards with one interception. Gourney Sloan caught both touchdowns and had 106 yards of receiving on nine catches. Paul Ortiz scored 12 points as he hit three of his four field goals and went three for four on extra points.

Omaha returns to the road next week traveling to Billings to take on the 2-3 Outlaws. The Liberty will remain in Salina to host the 2-3 SW Kansas Storm.

OTHER NOTES:  The Omaha Beef - Tommy Armstrong Youth Football Camp will be held May 12 & May 13. In addition to the football camp, your registration will include an Omaha Beef shirt, pizza party, and a ticket to the May13th game where all participants will play football on the field before pre-game activities kickoff that evening’s game!!! For more information contact the Omaha Beef office @ 402.346.2333 or register with the enclosed link!!!! #ORANGEKINGDOM

https://a4footballacademy.eventsmart.com/.../ta-football.../

2023 Omaha Beef Schedule (5-0)