By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
For a second consecutive season, the Salina Liberty experienced heartbreak in the closing seconds of a Champions Bowl as they fell to the Omaha Beef by a final score of 40-39.
Omaha claimed their first CIF title in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter, blocking a Jimmy Allen field goal that would have put the Liberty on top with just four seconds remaining.
The two top-scoring defenses in the league were in full effect as Salina put up the only touchdown of the first quarter.
The Liberty jumped out to a 13-3 lead in the second thanks to a big interception by Dontra Matthews before the teams traded punches and Salina headed into the locker room up 19-15.
Omaha came out of the break with a renewed sense of purpose and housed the opening kickoff to take their first lead of the game, but once again the Liberty had an answer as Tyrie Adams punched one in from seven yards out to put Salina back on top 26-21.
For the first time all game, one of these teams would score unanswered points as the Beef bookended an interception of Adams with two huge touchdowns to take their biggest lead of the game.
Salina needed to respond and did just that with a Tracy Brooks touchdown run, a stop of Omaha on downs, and a touchdown pass from Adams to Chad Steinwachs to give the Liberty a 39-36 lead with 3:43 to play.
Omaha quickly marched down the field and on third and goal, Andrew Jackson delivered a strike to a diving Tyler Jones in the back of the end zone before an extra point delivered a one-point lead back to the Beef.
Salina lined up for a field goal to take the lead with eight seconds remaining but as the ball was snapped a Beef defender sliced through the line and got a hand on Allens kick, sending it, and the Liberty’s shot at a title tumbling towards midfield.
Omaha needed to run just one play to take the remaining seconds off the clock and claim their first-ever CIF crown.
Salina ends a phenomenal 2021 campaign at 11-2 with their only losses coming at the hands of the Beef.
This game likely marks the end for a number of key players’ time in the CIF including Kendrick Harper, Isiah Barfield, Jake Lattimer and Kamalie Matthews.
Salina will reload for another shot at their first-ever title in 2022 with a number of key returners under Heron O’Neal who signed a lengthy contract extension just a few weeks ago.
For more on the Salina Liberty and the 2022 CIF season, stay tuned to the Salina Post.