By Zachary McMahon –
The DC Defenders played against the St. Louis Battlehawks at The Dome at America’s Center (formerly Edward Jones Dome) on Sunday afternoon. The Defenders are coming off a 22-9 loss against the Michigan Panthers last Sunday. The Battlehawks lost against the undefeated Birmingham Stallions last Saturday in Week 7 30-26. The Defenders got crushed in DC against the Battlehawks 45-12 in Week 5.
The Defenders had to win to stay alive in the race for the XFL Championship, and the San Antonio Brahmas had to lose to the Arlington Renegades. Meanwhile, the Battlehawks could clinch a spot in the championship game with the win against the Defenders.
Battlehawks quarterback A.J. McCarron did not play in this game due to an ankle injury that he suffered against the Stallions. So, the Battlehawks turned to Manny Wilkins, who made his first start as a professional quarterback. Wilkins signed with the Battlehawks last season, but did not get any playing time. Wilkins previously was on the Green Bay Packers practice squad for the 2019 season.
Matthew McCrane struck first for the Defenders in the first quarter as he kicked a 48-yard field goal to make it 3-0. In the second quarter, Battlehawks kicker Andre Szmyt tied the game up with a 26-yarder of his own after Kameron Kelly intercepted Jordan Ta’amu with ten seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Jacob Saylers gave the Battlehawks the lead near the end of the first quarter with a five-yard touchdown. Although, McCrane’s second field goal of the game closed out the first half as the Battlehawks were leading the Defenders 9-6.
The teams traded touchdowns in the third quarter as Alex Ellis had a 30-yard touchdown reception from Ta’amu, and a two-point conversion caught by Ellis gave the Defenders the lead 17-14. Then, former New York Giants running back Wayne Gallman Jr. had a seven-yard rushing touchdown to take back the lead for the Battlehawks.
After Szmyt’s second field goal of the game, the Defenders came back with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Ty Scott from Ta’amu to take a one-point lead with under five minutes left in the game.
With two minutes left however, Gallman had his second rushing touchdown of the game at the goal line, which would be the game-winning touchdown for the Battlehawks. This was Gallman’s first multi-touchdown game in professional football since the 2020 season with the Giants. Earlier in the same drive, Gallman had a 38-yard reception, which was the longest play of the game on either side.
On the last drive of the game for the Defenders offense, Jordan Ta’amu had to be taken out of the game after a sack of 10 yards by Willie Harvey Jr., as the backup quarterback Jalen McClendon would take the last play for the Defenders on a 4th and 24. McClendon threw to Ellis short of the first down line as he tried to lateral to Chris Roland and the ball rolled out of bounds, which caused a turnover on downs as it would be kneel down time for the Battlehawks.
The Defenders are out of contention for the XFL Championship game with this loss and the San Antonio Brahmas winning against the Renegades later in the day 20-15, as it becomes Battlehawks going up against the Brahmas for the XFL championship.
The Defenders will be going on their final road game of the season as they will be facing the Memphis Showboats at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis at 2:30 pm next Sunday on FOX.
Sports Insider Daily 