Battlehawks Top Arlington, 24-11, in St. Louis Return
Published on March 12, 2023 under XFL (XFL)
St. Louis Battlehawks News Release
The St. Louis Battlehawks opened their home schedule with a 24-11 win Sunday over the Arlington Renegades before a record-setting crowd of 38,310 fans at The Dome at America's Center.
With the largest crowd in the history of professional spring football league games on hand, the Battlehawks took a lead they would not relinquish when QB A.J. McCarron found WR Darrius Shepherd for a 27-yard touchdown pass with 11 seconds left before halftime. McCarron then connected with RB Brian Hill for five yards to complete the two-point conversion to put St. Louis in front, 11-3.
Hill rumbled 15 yards to the end zone with 6:48 left in the third quarter to extend the Battlehawks' lead to 17-3. Hill also caught a 20-yard pass two plays earlier. He finished the game with a season-high 115 all-purpose yards, including a season-high 89 rushing yards that were the most by a Battlehawks player this season.
The Renegades closed to within six points of the Battlehawks with a touchdown and two-point conversion on their first drive of the fourth quarter to make it 17-11, but St. Louis responded six plays later when McCarron and WR Hakeem Butler connected for a 25-yard touchdown.
McCarron then hit TE Jake Sutherland on a 2-yard pass for a one-point conversion and build the lead to 13 points, 24-11.
St. Louis initially grabbed a lead on its first drive of the game, which covered 45 yards on 10 plays and ended on a 28-yard field goal by K Donny Hageman with 5:37 left in the first quarter.
Hill provided 34 of the yards on that drive with four carries. Arlington then tied the game at three points apiece with 4:27 left before halftime on a 37-yard field goal by K Taylor Russolino.
The Battlehawks defense provided the offense multiple extra opportunities via turnovers for the fourth straight game. St. Louis created four turnovers with three interceptions and a fumble. DB Nate Meadors, LB Tre Watson Sr. and LB Silas Kelly all intercepted Arlington QB Kyle Sloter, while LB Travis Feeney forced and recovered his second fumble of the season.
The Battlehawks will play their second consecutive home game at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 18 in a Week 3 rematch against the D.C. Defenders at The Dome at America's Center. The game will be televised on FX. Tickets are available at XFL.com/tickets.
XFL Stories from March 12, 2023
- Vegas Vipers Defeated by DC Defenders, 32-18, at Audi Field in Washington DC - Vegas Vipers
- Battlehawks Top Arlington, 24-11, in St. Louis Return - St. Louis Battlehawks
- Renegades Fall before Record Crowd at St. Louis - Dallas Renegades
- Brahmas' Offense Stalls at Seattle - San Antonio Brahmas
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
