Week eight of the 2026 NAL season wasn’t one of the high-scoring weeks, but man, did it deliver. We got two defensive grudge matches, one instant classic, and a get-right game for Omaha that was well past needed. We even dive a little into the less-than-joyful news on Dallas, all in this week’s NAL week in Review!
SWK 27 Salina 26
The Kansas Classic, was an instant classic. If you’re a fan of running the ball in the indoor rules game, and bone-crushing defense this had you glued to the screen. Not only was it a classic, but it was a tale of two halves. The first saw a bit of a slow start from both… neither able to entirely get their footing with dueling goal-line fumbles ending the first drives for both. Especially upsetting when you consider the Sutton full field sprint just one play previous to the SWK fumble.
The ensuing Salina drive was nothing less than Tracey Brooks marching the ball down the field until he managed to slam through the goal line into the end zone. Brooks, as we have come to expect, had yet another solid night on the ground, though mostly in the first half, snagging 48 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns.
The second drive wouldn’t prove to be any better than the first for the Storm, with a mid-field turnover on downs. This would set up yet another methodical drive by Salina, helped along by penalties, topped off by a Kavon Samuels rushing TD. This was the point at which anyone in neon green and purple began to panic.
That panic subsided by a three-point swing, in one of the rarest plays in all of football, a two-point interception return on a botched long snap, resulting in an odd 13-2 end to the first quarter. The second was an absolute breakout for SWK, and was matched point for point by Salina. Salina seemed to completely control the pace of the game and left Self unable to make the over the top throws he needed to, ending the half 26-15.
The second half was more of the same, a slow steady attack from Salina, but one that saw them struggle for any type of points. Considering the way Lewandowski spread the ball around(5 players, 2+ completions) the Liberty offense should have lit up the scoreboard. Instead, we got treated to stone walls near the redzone . The battle of who wants to score less, was finally broken in the third, with Sutton finally putting one in with nine to go in the third.
We wouldn’t see another score until :28 seconds to go in the game, over fourteen minutes of game time! Sutton would take his longest run of the day to the house, and the Storm would fail on a two-point conversion. As time expired Ferreira missed his second of the day… proving a point that is made by fans and coaches alike: It takes all three sides of the game. If Salina hadn’t failed on the majority of their special teams plays, they would have escaped! Overall you could ask for a better game as a fan, and we get to do it all over again in just a two weeks!
SWK Outlook:
No one expected this out of SWK, yes they have survived a ton of shake ups, and Gary Thomas is a phenomenal coach, but 6-0!? If the record doesn’t already tell you they are on a path towards a title. Even with losing Struck and the chaos that comes with a new starting QB they haven’t missed a step.
Self looked shaky for about a half (last game) before hitting his stride. If the Offense can continue to make plays when needed, as they did against Salina (who might have the best defense in the NAL) they have a chance to be 10-0 when the dust settles. They haven’t officially clinched a bye, but you can just about shoe them in for it. If they can continue to stay mostly healthy there is a high probability they are playing for the NAL title.
Salina Outlook:
Sure, 3-2 isn’t where you want to be at this point in the season, but your only two losses are to two of the best teams in the NAL by a combined two points. This loss stings for several reasons, the biggest of which was the lack of offensive production in the second half. if your Heron O’Neal you have to feel sick about two straight losses, but the future is still bright.
If Salina can find a way to keep their morale level, and play a complete game against the better teams the NAL has to offer they will be fine. They have a Defacto tune-up against Louisiana this coming week to Iron things out, and get on track, before playing the second leg of the Kansas Classic.
Pueblo 22 Sioux City 35
This game looked, felt, and played like two teams headed in different directions. We can all see the records and standings, a casual fan may think Pueblo had the clear advantage, but that wasn’t the case. Since the controversial suspension of Aaron Dillsworth, and losing a couple of other key pieces, the drop off from the Punishers has been noticeable. On the flip side, Sioux City has become one of the most scrappy teams you’ll find in the NAL, and the record and close losses make that evident.
The game started slowly for Pueblo, the rhythm that is typical wasn’t there. The first two drives ended in disappointment, once on a wide left field goal.. and the second on a leaping dive to the ball over the wall interception by Laronji Vason-McCoy. While they struggled, the Bandits made quick work of the misses and miscues. Karnes knocked through a near-perfect 39-yard field goal to open it up and then a perfect drop to the back of the endzone from Brown to Bruno to go up 9-0.
The second quarter would be much closer, both trading scores, but the Bandits looked very much in control of the game, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Various points saw Sioux City look suffocating on the front three, including Shaw being dropped for a TFL several times. Sioux City would wind up grabbing the lead late in the second, on a speedy sideline-to-sideline return by Bruno. The real division began in the third, a third that wouldn’t see the Punishers score at all, despite being literally inches away on a fourth and goal.
Hollins would come up just short on a misdirection play, this felt like a turning point that Pueblo just couldn’t bring the momentum back from. The Sioux City response would be to march down the field, and let Jeff Mack slam past the goal line. The fourth more of the same, they would both Score, but the lead was never relinquished. It also played out like the rest of the game, most of Hollins 87 rushing yards coming on Scrambles. Overall this was a display of defensive dominance that is hard to match in the indoor game.
If you’re able to, go back and watch the game, you’ll find that nearly every throw was rushed, and nearly every screen or scramble ended with a one-handed slam to the turf
Sioux City Outlook:
Erb has done it again! Last season we saw a steady decline into the abyss by the Bandits. This year? It seems more like a mid-season surge. They looked absolutely primed for a run in this game, especially on defense. That very stiff defense is what has carried them to this point and will for the rest of the season. It’s rare to see a front three look as dominant as they have the past couple of games, and if it holds strong they will have no problem challenging one of the Kansas teams for a ring come playoff time.
Pueblo Outlook:
We aren’t going to sugarcoat it, the Punishers are on a slow decline. They have lost guys, injuries have happened, and the cracks are showing. This isn’t the type of decline that sees you lose by 30 at home, rather one that sees the discipline you showed early on erode. Pueblo still has plenty of time to recoup and recover and will be a strong playoff team. Though being a playoff team may be as far as it goes. If we are here to explain that Colorado beat them next week, concern should be raised for the long term ( of the season), especially for an offense that couldn’t make it past the 25 for the majority of this past game.
Omaha 52 Dallas 18
The Beef finally looked like the team we’ve all come to know going into this season. An offense that has been downright terrible at times easily had its best showing of the year. Giovanni Sanders made smart plays all night, totaling over 200 yards passing and 6 touchdowns. While all three receivers (Conliffe, Dudley, Thompson) accounted for touchdowns on the night, Dequan Conliffe had 3 of them and over 100 yards receiving. While the defense has had strong performances, when paired with an effective offense they were able to play more like themselves.
Omaha created pressure all game, helping lead to a pick six on a play made by defensive back Chris Perry. Whether you look at season highs for the offense or the defense only allowing 18 points while scoring points themselves, this game is what the Beef wanted and needed.
This season has been turbulent to say the least for Dallas, from game to game you aren’t sure what you’re going to get. This one unfortunately for the Bulls would not be a night to remember. The offensive line would struggle for most of the night giving quarterback Samuel Seward little time to make decisions.
Running back Dajon Richard would lead the team in receptions (5) and yards (43) while also catching the lone touchdown thrown by Seward. The defense didn’t fare any better, allowing multiple big plays throughout the game leading to 40+ points allowed to the Beef offense. For a team that could have turned the corner with a win, they are left with more questions than answers…
Before you knew it the Beef were up double digits and they never looked back. Sustained drives, big plays, and the defense forcing turnovers, safeties, and scoring a touchdown blew this one open. The second half started slowly, with only seeing an Omaha touchdown to add to their already big lead. The fourth quarter would see some fireworks as the two squads would exchange scores but Dallas would never really make it close. This matchup saw the Beef score over 50 points for the first time all year and also pick up their first win of 2026.
Omaha Outlook:
First off, congratulations Adam Loftis on your first win as interim head coach. Now that they finally have their first win of the season, the look ahead suddenly becomes favorable. With two of their remaining games being against Amarillo and Louisiana, with wins Omaha could see a potential win and in scenario going into the final week or two of the season. A season that was beginning to feel like a total loss could turn into a never-say-never moment that happens before our eyes over the next month.
Dallas Situation:
At the time of writing this article it was just announced that effective immediately the Dallas Bulls are no longer members of the NAL. Ownership has released a statement that the team has not folded and will inform fans of the future for the team as they plan to continue playing in another league. (Most likely not until 2027)
Louisiana 50 Non League Opponent 8
Games like these are great for the morale of a team and even better for having an extra home game, but not to cover. This game told us absolutely nothing about the Rouxgaroux. We at Shady Sports don’t have anything against NLOs but we won’t try to detail how this game went.
Louisiana Outlook:
It gets tough, as you’ll read if you read on, the only chance for Louisiana to get another win this season is no more. Taz Wilson quit after the embarrassing loss two weeks ago, and Morton has now stepped in. The adjusted schedule makes things twice as tough for Louisiana and we can only hope the wheels don’t completely come off ( season not franchise-wise) before the end of the season. Look for several more multi-score losses and a total regrouping as Keith Carter takes this team into the offseason.
Highlights & Drawbacks
Dallas Booted by NAL:
Many of us thought this day would come, and only hoped we would see Coach Prime and the Bulls finish the season. Instead, we were met with the heartbreak and disappointment that comes with seeing any franchise fail, even one run as poorly as the Bulls were. Though many are quick to blame the NAL for the fiasco, we would advise against such a knee-jerk reaction.
Per sources close to the situation, reports are that Dallas borrowed dasher pads and walls, and leased their field from a third party. The final straw was Dallas losing access to their venue due to past due payments. The arena is not the only entity claiming they are owed money, with multiple contract vendors saying agreements were not honored as well, as former employees reporting they left due to agreements that were not honored.
With all of this coming down they left the NAL little choice but to pull the plug. It’s a sour end to an otherwise (on the field only) building team. If you don’t want to take our word for it, we have the official statement from the League linked below, accompanied by the official statement from Dallas below.
NAL:
https://www.thenationalarenaleague.com/news/national-arena-league-announces-removal-of-dallas
Dallas:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CyoKUFtK4/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Schedule Rework:
If you are a fan of one of the other eight, you might be asking yourself how this affects your team’s season. Louisiana was the single most negatively affected team, losing an opponent for two of its remaining five games. The newly rescheduled games go as follows, per press release :
May 2:
Southwest Kansas Storm vs. Amarillo Warbirds
May 10:
Pueblo Punishers vs. Colorado Spartans
May 30:
Omaha Beef vs. Louisiana Rouxgaroux
Standings:
Bandits Make it on ESPN:
It wasn’t a miraculous play, in fact it was quite the opposite! A badly missed field goal led to a fairly hilarious blunder, and a heartwarming ending, check it out below:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1GjMntBk4u/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Overall this week, at least on the field, left us all glued to the screen and ready for more. Off the field, we got yet another taste of indoor ball drama that no one who truly loves the sport wants to see or hear. This one especially stings because so many of us saw it coming. The show must go on, and week nine is a full slate of great games, check back in next week for NAL Week 9 Review, and don’t forget to get the scoop on all things Indoor and Arena Football from Around the Indoor Football World at 7 every Saturday morning.
If you need to catch up:
National Arena League (NAL): Week 7 Review
National Arena League (NAL): Week 6 Review
National Arena League (NAL): Week 5 Review
Check out our latest articles:
- National Arena League (NAL): Week 8 Review
- EVERYTHING AAL Week 2
- National Arena League (NAL): Week 7 Review
- National Arena League (NAL): Week 6 Review
- AAL & AAL2: A Fan Guide and Preview to the 2026 Season
Sponsor: Doich Cookie Dough
Just in time for the holidays, Shady Sports Network has a new sponsor! Doich Cookie Dough, a great stocking stuffer for family members, or white elephant gift for a friend or co-worker. With flavors like Chocolate Chip, What the Fudge!?, Basic B#tch, Peppermint Baddie, or the ability to order a variety pack, you can’t go wrong. Did we mention right now they are running a sale? Buy two jars at $7.99 a piece, and get a third for free. Then apply our code ShadySports and save another $5 on every order! Making it just $10.99 for three jars of cookie dough. Doich Foods also offers free shipping on any order over $60.
Use our code ShadySports or click the link below to save $5 on each purchase today!
https://snwbl.io/doich-foods/ShadySports
HoneyStinger:
Honey Stinger is a the snack to keep you moving. Whether you just finished a workout, powering through a long day at work, or you’re just at home on the couch, honey stinger can kill your cravings, and give you the boost you need. Click the link below, and use our code at check out: rfrl.co/9n96p
Give Away
We are currently doing a giveaway to win a piece of Sioux Falls Storm turf that the team once used in games. There is now a second way to enter. Donate any amount of money to Sammy Strong Foundation, take a screenshot of the “Thank You for Donating to Sammy Strong” image after your donation and send it to us at any social media platform to automatically enter to win.
https://givebutter.com/SammyStrong26
YouTube
Please also help us continue growing on our YouTube Channel by subscribing if you haven’t already. Also, like and comment on any videos you enjoy! Thank you for your support, and we hope you continue to tune in!
Also, check out our new Live Events channel dedicated to broadcasting any games we are able to get the broadcast rights to. We have broadcast arena football, A7FL, Big 3 Basketball, Flag Football, Boxing, MMA, and so much more.
Join the Conversation on Discord, Facebook, or Reddit
Are you on Discord or Facebook? Join our server/groups to jump in the conversation, stay up to date on your favorite leagues, and give us your hot takes. You can also promote your content!
Fantasy Reports Facebook Group
Discover more from Shady Sports Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.