Warriors hungry for shot at Beef

After sending its first playoff opponent home for the year, the Utah Warriors indoor football team is headed for the NIFL's version of the final four.

Now it's on to Omaha, Neb., for the West division-winning Warriors (12-3), where they will play the Pacific Conference title game tonight against the Northern division champion Omaha Beef (12-3). Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

Fans can listen to the action live on 1280 AM.

Utah advanced to the conference title game by defeating the Sioux Falls Storm 68-55 last week in the E Center. Not satisfied with merely making the playoffs as an expansion team, Utah is focused on winning the whole enchilada.

"We just need to take care of one more game, then we're in the final," said wide receiver Mike Montoya following the win over Sioux Falls.

The Beef qualified for the conference contest by defeating the Bismarck Roughriders last Saturday. Omaha should be more than a worthy opponent for Utah, having dominated the Pacific North Division. After the Beef, the teams with the next best records were the Lincoln Capitols at 9-5 and the Sioux City Bandits at 6-8. Both teams average high offensive numbers, so the game should come down to which team's defense can keep the other out of the end zone the most.

If the Warriors manage to beat the Beef, then they will play the winner of the Atlantic Conference game on Aug. 2. That game matches the Lake Charles Landsharks and the Ohio Valley Greyhounds.