By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
The Salina Liberty battled on Sunday but ultimately fell 34-31 in Dodge City at the hands of the Southwest Kansas Storm.
With this result, the Liberty slide to 3-2 on the year while the Storm improve to 3-3.
The Liberty were gifted a free point before a single second came off the clock when Southwest Kansas failed to get the opening kickoff out of the end zone.
Just one touchdown would be scored in the first quarter, and it would belong to the Storm as Caden Walters found paydirt from the goal line on a QB run.
Salina wasted little time striking back, opening the second quarter with a QB keeper of their own, as Charles McCullum gave Salina an 8-7 lead.
McCullum would extend that lead with his second rushing touchdown of the day, but a touchdown pass, a pick-six, and a safety for the Storm would allow Southwest Kansas a 23-15 lead at the half.
After trading turnovers at the top of the third quarter, Otis Odom would claim the third score on the ground for the Liberty, and a forced fumble in the red zone would keep the Storm silent for the whole frame.
The Liberty had a chance to take their first lead of the half early in the fourth, but a missed field goal gave the ball back to the Storm, who extended the lead to nine on a 15-yard connection to Todd Athey.
Not deterred in the slightest, Salina answered with yet another score on the ground, this time from Jamario Benson, and took a 31-30 lead on a rare four-point conversion with time winding down.
Unfortunately for Salina, defense and special teams would put the game on ice as a field goal and rouge point made the score 34-31, and a pick in the end zone intended for Demarius Washington put the final nail in the Liberty coffin.
Despite this loss, the Liberty keep their spot in fourth place among the nine remaining AFL teams, and will look to chase Albany, Billings, and West Texas down the stretch.