Battlehawks Fall to D.C. Defenders 36-18 in XFL Conference Championship

Photo by Marcelina Enriquez

In the first quarter, the Batllehawks tried to get the momentum going with the explosive one-two punch of the Max Duggan and Jacob Saylor rushing game. Though the rush attempts were effective, the pass protection struggled to give Duggan much time to get comfortable with his passes, resulting in the punt team coming onto the field.

Meanwhile, the D.C. Defenders relied heavily on legendary UFL quarterback Jordan Ta’amu, who once thrilled St. Louis as the first Battlehawks quarterback during the inaugural year in 2020. After one short drive, the Defenders came back on the next drive and scored on a 42-yard touchdown pass from Ta’amu to #85, Seth Williams. Then early in the 2nd quarter, the Defenders managed to push their way down the field again with mainly short passes and runs, with one long run by #25 Deon Jackson for 18 yards to the Battlehawks two yard line. A few plays later, Jackson would finish the job with a two-yard rush for a touchdown. After a two-point conversion, the Defenders were up 14-0 and looked very much in control.

As the first half was painfully coming to a close for the St. Louis fanbase filling in the Dome at America’s Center, the D.C. Defenders were once again moving the ball down the field in a casual manner. They may have become too casual as Jordan Ta’amu threw an interception on the right sideline. Number 24, Myles Jones, made the read and then a short return down the sideline before stepping out. Max Duggan and the offense took over and attempted a pass down the left sideline right away that was broken up by #2 Deandres Baker of the Defenders, but Baker was charged with a pass interference call and then an unsportsmanlike penalty for protesting the first call. Jacob Taylor would quickly take care of business and rush for a two-yard touchdown. After a failed extra point attempt, the score was 14-6.

The Defenders would come back one more time in the first half and once again moved the ball efficiently. With 1:06 left in the half, D.C. would settle for a 17-6 lead after a successful field goal by #16, Matt McCrane. The Battlehawks would try for points with just over minute left in the half and deep in their end. There was a glimmer of hope as Duggan nearly hit wide open #12 Gary Jennings Jr., but it glanced off his fingertips. Then on a scramble on yet another delayed blitz, Duggan was hit from behind on a tackle for a fumble recovered by the D.C. Defenders. They would once again run few plays to set up another field goal. 20-6, the D.C Defenders at the half.

The Battlehawks returned to the second half with #18 Brandon Silvers at the helm of the offense. This was no surprise as Max Duggan struggled to get comfortable throwing the ball and the deficit was getting too big to count on his legs to pull the Battlehawks ahead. Silvers at first helped the Battlehawks move up the field, but they stalled and went out on a 4th down play at midfield. The Defenders would take over and, after a big reception on a strange pass play, would score once more, 26-6 after a missed extra point attempt.

The Battlehawks would start to show signs of life on the next drive. Silvers would connect with #1 Pearson on a 41-yard pass completion and move the offense into scoring position. After a few shorts plays and an interception that would have probably ended the Battlehawks day if it had not been overruled due to a defensive penalty, Silvers would stand strong on the pocket and deliver a pass over the middle to Hakeem Butler, catching it in stunning one-handed fashion. Unfortunately, the hit Silvers took from an unblocked blitzing linebacker would end his day.

In the 4th quarter, mighty Max Duggan would get one more chance to put points on the board and would with a two-yard rush up the middle for a touchdown, but even that drive was greatly assisted by two careless penalties on the Defenders’ part. D.C. would also add another field goal and touchdown before the game was over, making the final score 36-18.

In the end the game came down to two main factors. The D.C. Defenders were confident their defensive backs could match one for one with the Battlehawks receivers while even in a zone defense to allow a linebacker to often be blitzing from the outside on just a five-man offensive line front. The unmatched linebacker caused hurried passes or in the pocket contact and kept Duggan from ever having time to get comfortable as a passer. Though Silvers had a little more success he would ultimately be knocked out by this same blitzing scheme. Sometimes the linebackers would make an initial pass read and then, if not needed, come in on a delayed blitz, which was just as disruptive.

The other challenge for the Battlehawks was on defense. Throughout most of the game, the Defenders would run the ball up the middle for five or six yards on first down, which then set up high percentage, short pass plays. The wide receiver screen into a three-receiver formation was especially effective with great blocking coming from the other receivers. Add in a few missed tackles when the Battlehawks greatly needed them and the D.C. Defenders seemed to be in control of the game all night.

The Battlehawk’s successful 8-2 season came to a harsh end with the XFL Conference Championship loss. Despite the winning season it ended with another bitter pill for the St. Louis fans and perhaps the UFL management to swallow. The issue is St. Louis will once again host the UFL Championship game and not feature the hometown team. The best and most well attended fans in the UFL are once again denied UFL glory. But in St. Louis, Kaw is the Law and the Battlehawks fans have proven that no matter what the sport is, St. Louis, hands down, is one of the best sports towns in America. | Ryan Parker