Photo of wide receiver Blake Jackson by Marcelina Enriquez. See more shots from the game below!
Dallas Renegades at St. Louis Battlehawks | 05.29.26, The Dome at America’s Center
The St. Louis Battlehawks hosted the Dallas Renegades Friday night for their last regular season game. After losing their previous home game against the Houston Gamblers, a game that could have clinched them a playoff berth, they then beat the same team on the road to claim their place in the playoffs. With the playoff spot secured, Friday’s game was a good chance for the Battlehawks to strengthen their game and give quarterback Luis Perez, a mid-season acquisition, more reps behind center to build confidence in running the offense.
The Battlehawks defense came out strong and sent the Renegades offense off the field after two three-and-outs. St. Louis answered the first time with a steady drive led by Perez, but settled for a 45-yard field goal by kicker Ramiz Ahmed. The next drive was off to a good start when wide receiver Blake Jackson caught a pass for four yards, but Renegades defensive back Ajene Harris forced a fumble after possession was made and the Renegades received the ball at mid-field. The Renegades, led by quarterback Austin Reed, pushed down the field, by finding open receivers in the gaps of the zone coverage. On 3rd and 10 from the Battlehawks 17 yard line, Austin Reed escaped what could have been a brutal sack to complete a pass to wide receiver Emanuel Butler for a 17-yard touchdown. With the extra point, Dallas led 7-3.
On the next drive, the Battlehawks started off with a 58-yard pass to Hakeem Butler to end the first quarter deep in the Renegades’ end of the field. Despite a couple of good rushes and a penalty on the Renegades, the Battlehawks settled for another field goal after pressure got to Perez that resulted in a sack. Ahmed came on and kicked a 32-yard field goal. Renegades were still on top, 7–6.
The Renegades found more success moving the ball down the field and Austin Reed threw a four-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tyler Vaughns, making the score 13-6.
The Battlehawks got the ball back one more time before the half was over with 1:51 left on the clock. Luis Perez threw a 52-yard bomb to the middle of the field to Steven McBride to once again set up deep on the Renegades 25 yard line. The Battlehawks would not capitalize on the big play and settled for a missed field goal, keeping Dallas on top 13–6.
The St. Louis defense came out strong on the next play and forced Austin Reed to fumble the ball as he released the ball in pass attempt, recovered by St. Louis. However, Perez threw a pick straight to linebacker Kevin DeLoach who dropped back to fill the void in the zone coverage.
The second half got off to another slow start for St. Louis as they went three and out on a punt on fourth down. The defense would hold Dallas and force them to punt as well. The Battlehawks found the running plays page of the playbook and Kevon James ripped off 14- and 17-yard runs to get the offense going. Perez settled for shorter passes with big runs after to James Bostic III for 21 yards and then 10 yards for a touchdown. With the point after St. Louis was now tied with Dallas 13–13.
Battlehawks shut down the Renegades right away to start the fourth quarter. The Battlehawks offense pushed the ball down the field just enough to set up another Ahmed field goal, putting them in the lead for the first time of the game, 16–3.
Unfortunately, Austin Reed and the Renegades put together a long drive that not only ended with a touchdown pass to Emanuel Butler, but also ate up nearly six and a half minutes of the game clock. Renegades were up 20–16.
The Battlehawks tried one more time to take the lead, but Luis Perez was sacked and threw one incomplete pass. The Battlehawks were forced to punt on 4th and 26. The Renegades took over with 1:51 left on the clock and hung onto the ball until the game clock ran out. Renegades won, 20–16.
The good news is the Battlehawks are in the playoffs and will face the Louisville Kings in St. Louis on Sunday, June 7 at 5:00pm CDT. The bad news is home field advantage is not what it once was for St, Louis as they have lost their last two at home. The running game has been strong, but too often drives are shut down with incomplete passes and interceptions. Luis Perez does have a stronger presence on the field than the previous two quarterbacks (Harrison Frost and Brandon Silvers) but is still averaging about two interceptions a game. The offensive line has also struggled to give a slower and not as agile passer time in the pocket. These issues will need to be solved if the Battlehawks want to compete with the red-hot Louisville Kings, who are coming in on a four-game winning streak. | Ryan Parker
