Beef / Tropics preview

May 12, 2023    

It’s a tale of two different football teams this week for the Omaha Beef and the Topeka Tropics. The Beef are undefeated at 8-0 and are coming off a big 48-45 road win against Sioux City after Paul Ortiz hit the game-winning field goal with six seconds left. Topeka is 0-8 and lost last week at home to Billings 37-15 under interim coach Richard Davis. 

Omaha continues to lead Champions Indoor Football in scoring offense, scoring defense, total defense, pass defense, sacks allowed, opponents first downs, third down conversions allowed, fourth downs conversions allowed, turnover margin, and red zone offense and defense. The offense, led by quarterback Tommy Armstrong, continues to be a quick strike offense as they ranked seventh in the time of possession and have a great combination of the running and passing game. Armstrong, who was named offensive player of week 10, ranks 7th in rushing (27.9 ypg), 6th in passing (97.4 ypg), 3rd in passing efficiency (109.2), 5th in total offense (125.2 ypg), 4th in scoring (11.2 ppg), and 2nd in touchdowns (15). 

The running game whether Jailin Singleton, Jeff Mack, or now Tabyus Taylor have received help from strong offensive line play of Olu’kayode Akinmoladu, Clifford Porter Jr, and Reggie Patrick. Now teams must choose if they want to stop the running back or let Armstrong take the ball and who can rush or pass. Taylor has rushed for 78 yards on 23 carries in two games. When the Beef are throwing the ball, Gourney Sloan leads the team with 33 catches for 441 yards and ten touchdowns.  Devanaire Conliffe is second on the team with 16 catches for 166 yards and five touchdowns and as a team the Beef are averaging 7.4 yards per catch. 

Omaha’s defense continues to be ranked as the best defense in the CIF. The defensive line has 13 sacks on the season led by Jayshawn Washington (6.5, 3rd in CIF), Tamar Heart (3.5, 9th in CIF), Jamar Claibourn (1), and Javari Nichols (2) while the linebacker tandem of Key James Black (3) and Cameron Hunt (1) have also contributed. Washington also leads the CIF in forced fumbles (4) and fumble recoveries (3) while co-leading the Beef with 38 tackles with Aaron Jackson. The Beef are second in interceptions with 17, led by Dreko Statham with nine. 

Paul Ortiz, with his two big -time field goals against Sioux City, showed why he is one of the best kickers in the league. For the season Ortiz is 8 of 14 field goals and 21 of 26 on extra points. 

The Tropics have not won a CIF game since they started last season. They have had a couple of chances this season, only for something to go wrong. They had a chance to beat Salina, but the extra point kick failed, and they lost in overtime 66-65. Then they had a big comeback at Gillette, only to fall 45-48. Topeka, who replaced head coach Tyrus Jackson on their bye week, has had a large turnover of the roster this season and currently have Dylan VanBoxel and Devond Blair Jr listed as quarterbacks. 

The Beef have a bye week before closing the regular season back at the Slaughterhouse in the rematch with Sioux City on May 27th. Topeka closes out the season with a home match against SW Kansas Storm on May 20th. 

OTHER NOTES: The Omaha Beef - Tommy Armstrong Youth Football Camp will be held this Friday and Saturday. 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. https://a4footballacademy.eventsmart.com/.../ta-football.../ 

2023 Omaha Beef Schedule (8-0) 

(CIF rank after week 10) 

Projected Starters 

CIF Player of the Week Awards- 

Tommy Armstrong (2)– Week 2, Week 10 - Offensive 

JayShawn Washington (3)– Week 3, Week 6, Week 8 - Defensive 

Dre’Sonte Dorton (1)– Week 3 - Special Teams 

Paul Ortiz (2)– Week 5, Week 7 - Special Teams 

Topeka Tropics (0-8) 
  

Visit https://omaha.footballshift.com/ for more information. 

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