The National Arena Leauge is hitting a competitive peak that no one could have seen coming. Our season preview predictions have been completely tossed out of the window, and we have never been happier to be wrong! If you don’t believe us, just read on, three of the four games all came down to a single score. We had late game surges, first victories, and come back attempts that fell just short all in a five-hour span, if you missed any of it, this is everything you need to know: :
Table of Contents
NAL Week 4 Game Reviews
Salina 48, Colorado 42
This was a matchup that could have gone either way, and early on it seemed like neither wanted to put any distance between them. The former draft pick and his deep threats at Wide receiver, however, would put on a bit of a lead after an untimely interception, followed by a full-field kickoff return TD.
That lead would ultimately see the first half end at 23-14 Spartans. The biggest issue overall in the first half for Salina was poor decisions behind center, Evan Lewandowski would throw two “throw it up and pray” style interceptions, ultimately ending otherwise productive drives.
The second half was very much the opposite story, following a potentially season-ending injury to Spartans QB Paxton Lynch late the in the first half. Alexis (Lex) Rosario would take over, and give a solid effort. Rosario actually finished with 4 total touchdowns scoring on a reception touchdown before Lynch exited the game, later adding 2 touchdown passes, and a rushing touchdown as the quarterback. In the end, it wouldn’t be quite enough to will them to a victory.
One thing is for certain Fred Shaw has shown immense faith in Lex Rosario, and for good reason. Lining up at quarterback for the Spartans will be the third position Rosario has started games at for the Spartans in just 2 seasons with the team including running back in 2025, and wide receiver in 2026.
Salinas’ offense would come alive, paired with several stalled Colorado drives. Rossrio would ultimately toss two TDs, but a late interception, and another stalled drive would see the lead grow to be insurmountable. It would ultimately come down to the last couple of minutes, but a 20-point fourth quarter from the NALs second best sqaud would seal it.
Colorado Outlook:
Before the Lynch Injury, the Spartans were good, not Great. After? Well, we will really just have to hope and see. Even without him they are a shoo-in to the playoffs, but beyond that, it doesn’t seem like there are any guarantees. Hopefully, they can retool and get back in the top two (or four) but only roster moves and perseverance will determine that. They are the single best 1-2 team in all of arena ball at the moment and we don’t think they’ll see 1-3 or 1-4.
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Salina Outlook
This is our favorite for the second seed and a first-round bye. Despite playing arena rules ball for the previous two seasons they seem like they haven’t missed a beat. Though the hot and cold QB play, and the less-than-impressive run game could hinder them long term. Though they have faults the bend-in-half but don’t break defense will see them through to more wins than losses.
Similar to the QB play it gets hot and cold, but is red hot when it needs to be. They will have their work cut out for them coming up against Pueblo, as we see the Battle of the Undefeateds. No matter the result, we imagine we will see this match-up again in the playoffs or title game, and Salina to steamroll the remainder of its schedule after a close loss.
Louisiana 42, Amarillo 23
This felt like a game of cat and mouse until the beginning of the third. Fourteen points up… Then a tie… and then it just blew wide open in favor of the Rouxgaroux. Many of us hammered home the point that if Louisiana or Amarillo wanted to get back on track consistency early on in games would have to happen. Though for Amarillo, it was anything but.
Early on Louisiana looked like a completely different team than the first time they played Amarillo, and in a way kind of was, with several new, experienced additions. The first and most obvious came at the kicker position, for a team that hasn’t had a full field kickoff, or made an extra point all season, (re-sign) Ashton Henry went a perfect 7/7. They never had a kickoff land on their side of the field, which made a huge difference on defense, Amarillo didn’t have many short fields.
Though special teams were well-matched by the Warbirds, the most lopsided matchup came on the ground. It seemed as if Amarillo had no answer for D’Nerius Antoine, the former Renegade/Rouxgaroux, who was signed this past week. He went on to rush for 88 yards, averaging 6 yards a carry and three TDs, giving Louisiana the edge in tight third-down situations.
The second half would open 21-14 after a late first-half score, and had all the indicators of a nail-biter. This is where things took a turn. Amarillo’s offense would sputter on several drives, Blain Espinoza didn’t have the accuracy we have seen from him in the past, and as the gap widened it only seemed to get worse, going just 9/27. Overall it was a surprise to see Louisiana look as well-rounded as they did, and no surprise to see an injury-riddled Amarillo look shaken, but no one predicted a blowout loss.
Warbirds Outlook:
This team doesn’t look nearly the same without Shaw in the back field. One player can’t make a team but for a team that hasn’t had a rushing game that hasn’t been consistent, it hurts. The opening week win over Louisiana looked promising, but the past two weeks have seen them lose by a combined 95-29. They have a “get right” game coming up against Dallas, but if the timing in the passing game, and overall defense doesn’t improve, they won’t have much to show after the final week.
Rouxgaroux Outlook:
Sure you won, and yes you have brought in guys to fill out and sure up the offense and kicking game, but how far can it take you? After another bye week, you take on a red-hot Pueblo that makes even NAL staples like Sioux City look inferior. The outlook is brighter, but outside of Dallas, it only gets tougher from here. They will have to find a way to stop the deep ball threat and keep the ground game consistent if they plan on any upset bids for that 6th seed.
Pueblo 39, Sioux City 34
This was an absolute battle, that saw all the grit you expect out of an Erb-coached team. It also had no shortage of consistency you have grown to expect from the dual head coaches in Pueblo. Similar to the Louisiana-Amarillo game, we saw huge leads, but unlike that game, they wouldn’t last. Despite all the firepower for the Punishers (and at one point a 19-point second-half lead) this one ended with only five points separating them.
Most were surprised to see Verlon Reed get the start, while he didn’t have a horrible game, his 11/21 1TD 1 INT effort wasn’t quite enough to push them over the hump. Big plays weren’t the goal for the Bandits, instead more of a grind-out offense that seemed to stall at the worst possible time. As for Pueblo, it was another Saturday night of explosiveness, especially behind center.
The Punishers’ running game leaves a lot to be desired, with the only exception being Hollins. He was impossible to contain, ripping off 10 runs for 57, and when he wasn’t running wild? Well, he was taking shots to Aaron Dillsworth, who had more receiving TDs than typical receptions; with three TD catches in the endzone. It wasn’t just AD that pulled down passes, three receivers pulled in 20+ yards through the air.
Even with all the production on offense, it was the bend but don’t break Pueblo defense that ultimately tilted the game in their favor. Four plays from inside the 10 would see four bone-crushing stops to end the largest comeback bid this season in the NAL
Pueblo Outlook:
This may be the easiest of all nine, just keep winning. The playoff setup nearly makes the punishers a lock, two more wins and they will only be playing for a bye. The talent on this squad may have been a little overlooked, but with weapons like Dillsworth and Hollins ( who has a legitimate shot at League MVP), they will be hard to beat. Many doubted the coaching setup, and the team overall, but they have silenced everyone and continue to be the favorites to win it all.
Sioux City outlook:
The Bandits may have faced a setback, but this is far from the end of winning. The fight and resilient nature of this squad will carry them to more than a few wins. Omaha seems down and out, and with two games against the beef, along with several games against the “Bottom 3” expect this squad to still be playing well past game 10.
Omaha 26, South West Kansas 34
The Beef came into the game with some serious concerns after last week’s blowout loss to the Liberty. Along with the mounting losses, another change under center was brought via the addition of James Summers earlier in the week. David Ross put together a great all-around night and had an instant connection with Summers catching some passes out of the backfield.
Dequon Dudley also had a big night, hauling in three receiving touchdowns in the losing effort. While the change was almost immediate as the offense seemed more effective, common problems continued to plague them. Multiple turnovers throughout the contest would ultimately nullify any progress made as the result was still much of the same. The defense was able to keep the Beef in the game for its entirety, forcing their own turnovers and holding the Storm on multiple 4th down attempts. While the offense is still a work in progress, the defense bounced back big with results.
The Storm came into the contest well rested after a week off, but some concern was still looming from their lackluster win to open the season against Louisiana two weeks ago. While the offense didn’t light up the scoreboard, they too had improvement specifically from their ground attack. Jaden Sutton tallied over 50 rushing yards and scored a touchdown, while Matt Struck showed off his dual-threat ability with 39 yards and a touchdown with his feet.
Continuing their strong start, the defense forced multiple turnovers and held the Beef scoreless on multiple redzone trips. In both games for the Storm this season the trend is up, both games could have gone either way. Last season close games were kryptonite for SWK, however this year they have started 2-0 because the play (or plays) were made to win the game.
This game was dominated by defensive plays early and throughout up until the final stand by SWK. The Beef started off the scoring to take the early lead, but chances for Omaha to extend the lead were stifled by the Storm. A strong second quarter saw SWK tie the game up at halftime at 13-13. What really helped both offenses move the ball is the dual-threat ability both Summers and Struck possess.
After a third quarter that saw an exchange of touchdowns, it was still tied going into the fourth. The Storm would outscore the Beef 14-6, holding on a late 4th down attempt to put the stamp on the night. Ultimately it would come down to execution and SWK won both the turnover battle and the game.
Omaha Outlook:
While 0-3 is BAD it is not season over yet. A tough matchup against the Bandits is around the corner, but the team did show improvements in their latest defeat. If the defense can continue to play like they did this week and the offense can minimize self-inflicted wounds, they should be able to get back on track.
SWK Outlook:
The Storm are off to a 2-0 start in their first NAL season. While neither win was dominant, they have shown they can both win and be one of the better teams in the league down the line. One thing SWK would like to see is better consistency in the passing game. While it helps to have a great rushing attack, a more efficient aerial attack is something to look for as they progress in the season.
Highlights and Drawbacks:
Standings Surprises
If you listen to Around the Indoor Football world and take Krish Vyas’ opinion to heart, the season thus far would absolutely floor you. Off the rip no one, I mean no one expected Omaha to be 0-3, especially not with a 38-point loss on their resume. Tack that on with an undefeated Pueblo, and a Louisiana team that defied all odds and can’t go 0-10, and you have pure chaos.
While it is chaos, it’s welcomed. We all want to see the National Arena League as Competitive as it can be, and this is that and more. Outside of Pueblo being the odds-on favorite to win it all, none of us really have a clue how this ends, and it’s absolutely enthralling. Long live the NAL and all the (stable) chaos we get to enjoy!
NAL on Scripps Sports Network: Honest Review
Outside of the commentators’ uttering the world “on Scripps Sports” over 13 times, and slightly over-emphasizing it, it was perfect. The NAL is pushing for as much healthy growth as it can handle, and this is a great accomplishment for everyone involved. Brandon Ikard has only created value for the league since taking over as commissioner of the NAL, and the fruits of his labor are ripe to be picked.
We more than look forward to more games on Scripps. The Arena ball sickos out there like myself enjoy it even more due to it giving the hardcore fan the ability to watch more than one NAL game at a time. Hats off to the NAL and its front office for growing the league to new heights that was nearly dead 3-4 years ago!
We have said it before, and we will say it again, the parody and overall product this season has been second to none. It makes it all the more fun to follow, especially with some of the consequence-ridden games we have coming up this weekend. Tune in Saturday Morning for Around the Indoor Football world, to listen to the author of the Beef section, TJ, and the rest of the crew break down anything and everything Indoor and Arena Football!
If you need to catch up check out the previous Weeks NAL Reveiws:
Week 3:National Arena League: Week 3 Review
Week 2:National Arena League: Week 2 Review
Week 1:NAL: Highlights & Drawbacks
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