Tight end Sal Cannela heads downfield. Photo by Marcelina Enriquez.
As the St. Louis Battlehawks entered their Battledome Sunday evening, they hoped that the outcome of the game would be another of the big changes that the UFL experienced during the 2026 season. The UFL gained a new, very charismatic investment owner, billionaire Mike Repole (Vitamin Water and Body Armor sports drink fame and fortune), who brought sweeping changes in the league. These changes included eliminating three teams: the Michigan Panthers, Memphis Showboats, and San Antonio Brahma Bulls. Under Repole’s management the league introduced three new teams in new UFL markets (the Columbus Aviators, Orlando Storm, and the Louisville Kings) along with changes to the rule book such as the 4-point field goal from kicks 60 yards and beyond.
The league changes also affected the Battlehawks in big ways. The league implemented an expansion draft for the incoming teams and the existing teams were only allowed to protect a dozen players on their roster. This made for a rebuilding year for all of the teams, including St. Louis. And the biggest change for the Battlehawks, head coach Anthony Becht was reassigned to coach the new Orlando Storm. His replacement was St. Louis Rams legend Ricky Proehl, who played wide receiver during his NFL career and was a key part of the St. Louis Rams getting into and winning the 2000 Super Bowl.
The change the Battlehawks needed now was not to lose their semi-final game at home in the Dome and miss the championship game, The United Bowl, for the third year straight.
The Battlehawks came into the game 6–4 on the season, but 1–2 in their last three games, including an unheard of two back-to-back home losses. They faced one of the new league teams, the Louisville Kings, who entered red-hot on a four-game winning streak. However, St. Louis was the last team to beat the Kings, 16–3 in Louisville. The Battlehawks were ready to draw on that win to stop the Kings and finally enter their first championship game.
The Battlehawks started with the ball, but went three and out on a punt. The Kings set the tone quickly with a 53-yard touchdown run by running back James Robinson just four plays into their first drive. With the extra point by the kicker, Tanner Brown, the Kings took an early lead, 7–0.
Quarterback Luis Perez guided the Battlehawks downfield on the next drive, with short passes that turned into respectable yards after the catch by the platoon of skilled players. The drive would stall, but kicker Ramiz Ahmed would put the Battlehawks on the board with a field goal, Cutting the Kings’ lead to 7–3.
On the next drive, Louisville’s Brown kicked a 60-yard field goal, adding another four points to their lead, 11-3. The Battlehawks responded with a solid drive of longer pass completions to move the ball down the field and set up a one-yard rushing touchdown by running back Jarveon Howard. With the extra point, the score was now 11–10, Louisville. The new four-point field goal was having its effect on the game.
The Battlehawks defense began to dominate the Kings and their quarterback, Chandler Rogers, forcing them to give the ball back before the end of the half. Perez would lead the Battlehawks for another successful drive, this time with a touchdown pass to Blake Jackson. With the extra point, St. Louis now led 17–11 and held Louisville until the end of the half.
The Battlehawks stayed strong in the second half and forced the Kings to punt right away on their first drive. The St. Louis offense took over after receiving a punt and looked to be in command and about to drive the ball downfield at will when a very questionable unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against St. Louis tight end Sal Cannela moved the ball 15 yards backwards after said player had just gotten the first down. The call effectively killed the drive for the Battlehawks and they punted the ball away.
Chandler Rogers responded on the next drive with some big passes and a touchdown pass to wide receiver Isaiah Winstead. Kings lead, 18–17. The Battlehawks came back with a respectable drive, but settled for the field goal, 20–18, Battlehawks.
Both teams followed with short offensive drives with no points. Unfortunately, on the next Louisville drive, running back Ian Wheeler would rush for 11 yards and then on the next play break off a 51-yard touchdown run. The backbreaking run pushed the Kings ahead, 25–20 with the extra point. The Battlehawks tried to respond, but their drive was plagued with penalties and eventually turned it over on downs when Perez threw a dismal incomplete pass on 4th and 26.
Though the Kings did not move the ball well on their next drive, they would secure a 63-yard Tanner Brown field goal for another four points and pushing their lead to 29–20. The two extra points from four-point field goals had now created a situation where the Battlehawks could not tie the game with a touchdown. They would need two scores and only had 4:46 left on the clock.
Perez and the Battlehawks moved the ball down the field, but on 3rd and 15 from the Louisville 20 yard line, Perez threw his first interception of the game to linebacker Steele Chambers. The Kings offense would kneel on the ball one time to run out the clock and end the game. The Battlehawks season was over, missing the championship game in the semi-final for a third year in a row.
The Louisville Kings were headed to face the D.C.Defenders in the United Bowl in Washington D.C. on June 13th, where they would win the championship by a score of 27–20. | Ryan Parker
