Salina Liberty's offense sputters in 14-11 Champions Indoor Football loss at Omaha
The Salina Liberty's lack of offensive punch has dealt a serious blow to their postseason hopes.
It took the Liberty more than 59 minutes to find the end zone, and by then all was lost Saturday as they dropped a 14-11 Champions Indoor Football decision to the Omaha Beef at Ralston Arena in Ralston, Nebraska.
With the loss, the Liberty fell to fifth place in the CIF standings at 4-3, a half-game behind third-place Omaha and Southwest Kansas, which are both 5-3. The top four teams advance to the playoffs.
More: How Salina Liberty rookie linebacker Tron Folsom rediscovered his love for football
The Liberty defense was stout as usual, limiting Omaha to 99 total yards and intercepting Beef quarterback Andrew Jackson twice. The Beef's lone touchdown came on the game's opening possession when Salina blocked a Jeremy Reynolds field goal attempt, only to have Deshawn Jones pick up the loose ball and run 3 yards for the score.
The remainder of Omaha's points came on a pair of Reynolds field goals and a safety when Salina was called for holding in its own end zone. The Liberty was limited to a 24-yard Michael Pursley field goal early in the second quarter and a 4-yard touchdown pass from Vincent Espinoza to Anthony Love, then a two-point conversion pass to Demarius Washington, with 45 seconds left.
The Liberty offense outgained Omaha's 168 yards to 99, but the Beef had three interceptions and three sacks.
More: Salina Liberty dominate second half on the way to 34-19 come-from-behind win over Billings
For Salina, Espinoza completed 15 of 27 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown, but was picked off three times. Backup Chris Andrews was just 3 of 7 for 16 yards.
The Liberty were led in rushing by Tre Griffin with 33 yards on 11 attempts, while Love caught seven passes for 51 yards and Ed Smith six for 22.
Jackson was 10 of 18 passing for 69 yards and Jones had 26 rushing yards on 11 carries. Montero Dubose was Jackson's favorite target with five catches for 26 yards, while Rashad Pargo had two receptions for 29.
Keenan Gibbs led the Liberty defense with seven tackles, four for loss, and three sacks. Dontra Matthews and Travis Taylor each had an interception.
More: New Salina Liberty quarterback Vincent Espinoza determined to make the most of opportunity
The Liberty trailed 9-3 at halftime after Reynolds and Pursley traded field goals early in the second quarter. Following a scoreless third quarter, Omaha got the safety with 13:35 left in the game and tacked on a 29-yard Reynolds field goal at the 8:53 mark.
Things don't get easier for the Liberty this week as they head to Sioux City, Iowa, to take on the unbeaten Bandits. The Bandits (7-0) beat Southwest Kansas, 66-14, Saturday in Dodge City.
This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Salina Liberty football offense struggles in loss to Omaha Beef
