The National Arena League season has been a lot of things… and most of all, it has been absolutely unpredictable. Week 12 only reminded us of that. Who could have seen this hard of a fall from grace as the Bandits did? Or Omaha and their last-second heroics coming? Not us! And we cover it all in this week’s NAL review!
Salina 39 Sioux City 11
This was the biggest surprise of the week without question. Many of us had this marked down as the game of the week, and Scripps Sports Network even picked it to be their game of the week. It, in fact, did not live up to any of the hype. Instead, we got a crash course on why Coach O’neal is one of the best to do it.
It wasn’t that he outcoached Coach Erb; it was the overall preparation they had coming into the game. The secondary for the Liberty seemed more than ready for anything Lorenzo Brown could throw at them.
Early on, it was jitters and rust for Tyrie Adams, the former Liberty Standout. He and Brown would swap interceptions early, before we saw Adams account for every single TD that the Liberty scored.
While Adams was busy lighting up the Bandits’ defense, Brown was busy tanking his NAL OPOTY and NAL MVP bid; he would have three turnovers in just the first half. The result of his off-kilter throws and bad timing, paired with an anemic running game, was just three first-half points. The scoreboard read 20-3 at the half.
The second half would see more of the same. The Bandits took over 40 minutes of game time to put the ball in the end zone. At this point, it would have seemed like they had a chance; it was still within two scores, and the offense had woken up.
It would be snuffed out quickly. The running game that has been the bell cow of Salina all season showed up in force. All three rushers, including Adams, managed 40+ yards on the ground. In the end, they would run down the clock, Brown would lose the ball on the ground once, through the air twice, and the clock would wind out.
This was an uncharacteristically bad game for Sioux City. It was everything we expected out of Salina, and a career day for Adams that had three on the ground, three in the air, and 134 total yards. While Brown has been regarded as an MVP candidate most of the 2026 season, he seems to have faltered some down the stretch. In the last 5 games Lorenzo Brown has thrown all 7 of his interceptions this season. If he cannot get his turnovers under control this weekend we could see Sioux City fall to 5-5.
Omaha 30 Colorado 27
The Omaha Beef came in looking to clinch a playoff spot with a win over Colorado. This feat was doubtful at best a month ago; however, the Beef were able to turn things around. This also amounted to a “revenge” game of sorts as former Omaha Beef Head Coach Brandon Negron is now with the Colorado Spartans as the General Manager.
Prior to the game Coach Negron joined Around the Indoor Football World and talked about the game: Full Episode Available Here.
In a game that had points hard to come by, Vincent Espinoza would only complete 5 passes all game, but two would be for touchdowns. On a run-heavy night for the offense led by Espinoza and running back duo Ross/Antoine, Omaha amassed over 100 rushing yards.
In a game that only had a combined 57 points, the defense reigned supreme, allowing just 27 points, forcing two turnovers, and a near second-half shutout. The final turnover was an interception by Chris Perry to flip the late game situation and help set up the game winning field goal by kicker Chase Contreraz.
The Colorado Spartans knew coming into the game they were playoff bound, to win against the Beef would help lock up at least the 5 seed. Javin Kilgo, no stranger to facing Omaha, would have a solid night with 168 passing yards and 4 touchdowns.
Steven Newbold gave Omaha fits throughout the game, hauling in 4 receptions for 77 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, the Spartans held their own for much of the night, forcing pressure in the offensive backfield and getting multiple sacks.
Ultimately, the inability to slow down the Beefs’ running game would cost them the game. With finals from other games around the NAL, the Spartans could have moved up to as high as the 4th seed by season’s end, but now that’s history.
The game with heavy playoff implications between the Spartans and Beef was a battle that went down to the final seconds. Both teams scored opening-quarter touchdowns, but in the second, Colorado would start to distance itself.
A last-second scoring opportunity by the Spartans was squandered, and the game remained within a score at halftime. The second half looked like it was starting to get away from Omaha after a Colorado touchdown added to a 13-point lead.
A defensive 3rd and early 4th quarter was leaving the game on life support for Omaha until the comeback effort took full effect. Whether it was making the big play, offensively or defensively, the Beef captured the momentum and rallied back to tie it up late.
A final big play made by the Beef defense would set up the offense in a prime opportunity, and waste it, they would not. As the final horn sounded, the kick from Contreraz would stay true, and Omaha would win it 30-27.
SWK 42 Louisiana 13
If you have kept up with the NAL this season, you could have predicted this one. The absolute best team in the National Arena League took on a team that we aren’t sure could survive the AAL. Many of Rouxgaroux’s core roster have already asked for a release and moved on, and it showed through.
We won’t spend a ton of time on what was basically a warm-up game for the Storm. Had Coach Thomas really wanted to, he could have set the single-game scoring record for SWK, but instead chose to lay off in the second half. Peirce, Sutton, Bacher, and Self all crossed the goal line in some form in this game. It was 14-0 with over nine minutes left in the first quarter, and 42-0 at halftime.
The rag-tag and under-coached Rouxgaroux came in and tried, but it was evident early that they had no real chance. Moton, who has started at QB the last few games, is more of a running back. He had a good effort but had no help. He was sacked (5) nearly as many times as he completed a pass (6 completions on 14 attempts)
In the end, SWK had four different players end with a sack, and Moton ran for his life against substitutions to match his TD total to his fumble total at two. SWK will be looking forward to an attempt at a perfect regular season, while Louisiana longs for it to all be over after next week.
Amarillo 71 Non League Opponent 6
We don’t dive deep into non-league games, but we will say this was much needed for Amarillo. The season that was supposed to be about establishing themselves and building up has been rough. Getting the chance to throttle a low-level team at home is a positive way to end an otherwise dreadful home stretch.
While this may have been a non-league game, the Pharr Phantoms are a team to watch for future expansion in one of the indoor leagues. As years go by, they are playing more and more professional opponents and in 2026 they played multiple games against NAL opponents. If they can secure a home arena, there is a chance we see the Phantoms making the leap to the pro ranks soon.
NAL Playoff Outlook:
Things changed in a way that may give us one of the more unique playoff setups we have ever seen. While the NAL has been fairly stingy with information on tiebreakers, we do see a path to a “Rivalry Playoff.” Here is how:
*All Scenarios are Projected and Not Official
Omaha Beats Louisiana
This would put Omaha at 5-5, and presumably over Colorado at 4-6 (after a Colorado loss to Pueblo), while it isn’t certain there is a chance this would cement Omaha at the 5 Seed.
SWK Beats Sioux City
A Bandits loss to SWK would put them at the 4 seed. A loss would ruin any chance they had to catch Pueblo, who already has a head-to-head win over them. The top two seeds receive a bye, meaning we get the Battle of I-29 in the first round.
Salina Beats Colorado
This would be the least shocking result of the weekend, and ensure Colorado is 4-6. At 4-6, they would be the only team to clinch under .500, and the 6th Seed is the only place they could be. At this point, it comes to unknown tiebreakers; we can only assume the 40-34 Salina win from earlier in the season is the decider.
Amarillo Beats Pueblo
This isn’t impossible, but the Chance that it does happen is below 1%. The result from this game may not affect the seeding at all, though the only way for this hypothetical to be bulletproof, the Warbirds would have to pull themselves out of a tailspin and knock off Pueblo.
All of this results in the following seeding and match-ups:
First Round Bye:
(1)SWK & (2)Salina
Kansas Classic
Round One:
(6)Colorado at (3) Pueblo
Colorado Clash
(5) Omaha at (4) Sioux City
Battle of I-29
NAL News:
Dallas Apex
As announced this past Thursday, the Dallas Apex will be joining the National Arena League as an expansion team beginning in 2027. The Dallas Apex is owned by the Wise family, led by Deatrich Wise Sr. and Deatrich Wise Jr. Wise Sr is a seasoned veteran of the AFL and af2. Wise Jr is also a former part owner of the Beaumont Renegades of the Arena Football One. The ownership seems like a smart move for the NAL, who need solid and stable expansion.
NAL Press Release:
National Arena League Annouce Dallas Apex As First Expansion for 2026 – National Arena League
Like we say so many times at the end of NAL Week Review, this week was a blast to watch. The playoffs are at our doorstep, and we couldn’t be more excited to see which of the six raises the trophy. Even more exciting to see the National Arena League already gearing up for 2027. If you want to get the full scoop on the Apex, the playoffs, and all the last-second signings in the NAL, check out Around the Indoor Football World this Saturday at 7 AM Central
Need to Catch up?
National Arena League (NAL): Week 11 Review
National Arena League (NAL): Week 10 Review
- Realignment 2027 Part 1: Arena & Indoor Football
- Expansion Update 2027 (Part 1): Indoor/Arena Football
- 2026 NAL Championship Preview + Semi-Final Review
- NAL: National Arena League Playoff Review + Semi-Final Preview
- NAL: National Arena League Week 13 Review + Playoff Preview
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