The Salina Liberty clawed back to .500 with a 50-22 victory over the Wichita Force at the Tony’s Pizza Events Center. Salina relied on its best defensive effort to improve to 2-2, a half-game back of Omaha for the top spot in the Northern Division of Champions Indoor Football.

After a low-scoring first half, Salina saw its 21-13 advantage get trimmed to two following a 10-yard touchdown pass by Joe Hubener with 9:34 remaining in the third. The Liberty defense became a brick wall, holding the Force to just three points the rest of the way.

Tailback Tracy Brooks reeled in a three-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Jackson to extend the advantage to 27-19. Following the next possession by the Force, Jackson hooked up with receiver Rashad Pargo for a 24-yard touchdown, allowing the Liberty to cruise to the end.

Brooks, the CIF’s leader in rushing touchdowns and rushing yards, finished with 110 yards on 20 carries and also had three catches for 41 yards with four combined TD’s. Jackson threw four touchdown passes, two to Pargo.

Salina heads to Iowa next week to face Sioux City. The Liberty defeated the Bandits 65-45 in Salina on March 30.