DC Defenders linebacker #20 Jamal Brooks. (XFL Twitter)
St. Louis Battlehawks quarterback AJ McCarron’s 262 passing yards and four touchdown passes were impressive, but just not enough as the Battlehawks faltered to their XFL North rival D.C. Defenders 34-28. The game was everything you’d expect from two undefeated teams.
Other than five fumbles committed between both teams: beautiful weather, a big & enthusiastic crowd, and a competitive game throughout made the matchup enjoyable for all fans watching. I’m sure the fans in attendance at Audi Field had even more fun contributing to the beer snake in a phenomenon three years in the making.
The game stood in the balance up until the last seconds when McCarron threw his second pick of the day into the hands of defensive back Kentrell Brice at the D.C. one-yard line. On the succeeding play, Jordan Ta’amu fumbled the sneak and the ball was recovered by the Battlehawks. A Steven Mitchell receiving touchdown would make it a one-possession game, but a failed fourth-and-15 “onside kick alternative” secured victory for the Defenders.
However, the action wasn’t over yet. Verbal altercations between players were had throughout the game and foreshadowed the benches clearing in the dwindling seconds of the fourth quarter when the game result had been decided. Multiple players from both teams were ejected as a result of the quarrel. It’ll be interesting to see how these tensions carry over into week five’s rematch between the two teams.
Anyways, back to the football. The Defenders got off to a strong start with an Ethan Wolf touchdown and (another) Michael Joseph pick-six on consecutive drives early in the first quarter. A 58-yard reception from receiver Chris Blair came as the Defenders’ biggest play of the season and set up for the aforementioned Wolf touchdown, but not much went down offensively after that until the second half.
As for the Battlehawks, they were able to settle in after a shaky start behind two forced fumbles and a touchdown from running back Brian Hill, who made his presence felt early after missing last week for St. Louis with a hamstring injury.
Battlehawks receiver Hakeem Butler singlehandedly carried his team on their last drive before the half with five receptions for 58 yards and the drive-capping touchdown which tied the game at 14 apiece. Overall, the 6-5 225 lbs wideout used his strength and frame to pull in a team-leading nine receptions for 105 yards.
Coming out of the half, the Battlehawks seemingly had the momentum on a 14-0 run, but kicker Matthew McCrane was able to put an end to that notion with a 41-yard field goal that returned the lead to D.C. on their first drive of the second half. McCrane would also hit a 35-yard field goal during the fourth quarter that made it 28-20 Defenders, crucial in hindsight.
I was especially impressed with how both Defenders quarterbacks Jordan Ta’amu and D’Eriq King looked out of the two-quarterback system that it seems D.C. has perfected. Ta’amu flexed his dual-threat ability with a passing and rushing touchdown as he tallied 218 total yards. King, the evasive quarterback, even threw a touchdown to Chris Blair which made it a two-possession game midway through the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, the speedy Lucky Jackson remained the top target through the air for D.C. as he finished with 89 yards on four catches.
Defensively, it was all three levels that worked together and executed in the Defenders winning efforts. Former All-USFL defensive end Davin Bellamy had a monster game off the edge for D.C. finishing with five tackles, including two for loss and two sacks – one of which resulting in a fumble. Cornerback DeJuan Neal finished with a team-high eight tackles and one fumble recovery, while hard-hitting linebackers Reggie Northrup and Francis Bernard put up five tackles each.
On special teams, Derrius Shepherd returned five kickoffs for 190 yards, including a 58 and 72-yard return that set up for a Jake Sutherland touchdown that would give the Battlehawks a 20-17 lead late in the third quarter. On top of that, Shepherd had five catches for 51 yards.
What’s next?
The win means that the Defenders are the top dogs in the XFL North, at least for now. As I said, these teams will see each other again in week five at The Dome in St. Louis, and I guarantee the Battlehawks faithful will bring the energy.
Between that and next week, the Defenders will get a rematch against the Vegas Vipers, while the Battlehawks will host the Arlington Renegades in their highly anticipated home opener.
