News: Beef take over first place from Mustangs

April 10, 2023

The Gillette Mustangs came into Liberty First Arena hoping to retain the league’s best record, but the Beef made sure that did not happen. Omaha used 38 unanswered points on the way to a 51-29 victory. The game was tied at 29 after the Mustangs wideout Josh Hollins scored on an eight-yard run with 4:00 left in the third quarter. Then the Beef defense took over and shut down the Mustangs offensive and showed why it is the best defense in Champions Indoor Football. Gillette’s last three drives ended with an interception by Dreko Statham, a JayShawn Washington sack, and end of regulation.

The game matched up the top two defenses in the CIF, however both offenses were able to move the ball averaging around four yards a play. The Mustangs outgained the Beef 172 to 116 but used 17 more plays to do so and struggled on third and fourth downs going 2 for 11.

Gillette got on the scoreboard first when Jaylen Jefferson caught a 7-yard pass from Michael Pina. The Beef answered with a 17-yard reception by Gourney Sloan from Tommy Armstrong and with Paul Ortiz extra point the Beef lead 7-6 after the first quarter.  Omaha extended its lead with an Armstrong two yard run only to have the Mustangs reclaim the lead with a five-yard touchdown catch by Arthur Anderson and three-point PAT catch by Michael Cornelious Jr. The final two scores in the second quarter were touchdown runs by both quarterbacks and the teams headed to half-time tied at 21.

The Beef went up seven after Devanaire Conliffe scored from one yard and Ortiz’s third of six PAT kicks. Omaha then scored again as the special teams scored a rouge when Conliffe tackled the Mustangs returner in the endzone. Gillette’s starting quarterback Michael Pina was hurt two plays before Conliffe’s run when he was sacked by JayShawn Washington at the one-yard line. The Mustangs backup quarterback Josh Hollis did put a drive together after that to tie the game at 29.

Jeff Mack, the Beef’s newly signed running back, filled in for Jailin Singleton by rushing for 38 yards on ten carries including a 3-yard touchdown run. The longtime indoor veteran got stronger as the game progressed as he ran through the defense for yards after contact. Tommy Armstrong added 24 yards on the ground but struggled going only 4 for 10 passing for only 43 yards and throwing for two touchdowns and one interception.

The Mustangs quarterbacks also struggled as they combined to go 10 for 22, throwing two touchdowns and one interception under considerable pressure from the Beef defense who racked up five sacks in the game. JayShawn Washington and Javari Nichols each collected two sacks while Tamar Hunt picked up the fifth sack.

The Beef will hit the road again for Kansas as they take on the defending champion Salina Liberty. The Beef (4-0) and Liberty (4-1) have met in the last two Champions Bowl with each winning once. Salina has won three straight after falling to Sioux City.

Gillette returns home to host the Topeka Tropics.

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…/

The team is also taking nominations for its newly created Hall of Fame. Nominations can be sent to ricky@beeffootball and will be accepted until April 10^th. The inaugural class will be announced May 27^th.

2023 Omaha Beef Schedule (4-0)