Battlehawks DE Travis Feeney slams down Renegades QB Luis Perez for a sack during Friday’s UFL game at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis. (Photo: Thomas Grove)
| United Football League | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington Renegades (3-3) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| St. Louis Battlehawks (4-2) | 0 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 12 |
Cedric Williams
Senior Editor
ST. LOUIS, MO — On a night when its offense couldn’t get very much done, the St. Louis Battlehawks got a huge uplift from its defense, which forced four turnovers and three quarterback sacks, and carried the team to a 12-6 win, Friday night in an United Football League game at The Dome at America’s Center.
Two of those turnovers were forced fumbles in the fourth quarter, which helped prevent Arlington from making any real comeback attempt.
The first came with just under five minutes remaining and St. Louis ahead 12-6. The Renegades were driving for a potential score when Battlehawks safety Qwynnterrio Cole made a big hit on receiver Javonta Payton, who fumbled the ball at the St. Louis 30-yard line.
Cornerback Nick Whiteside recovered to give St. Louis back the ball.
Later in the fourth, Battlehawks edge rusher Pita Taumoepenu sacked Arlington quarterback Luis Perez and knocked the ball out of his hands. Defensive lineman Chris Garrett recovered that fumble and gave St. Louis the ball back again.
From there, the Battlehawks were able to run out the clock and preserve another hard fought win.
“It was a tough night for both teams,” St. Louis head coach Anthony Becht said. “Neither offense could really get anything going. But that’s a testament to how both defenses were dominating. I’m proud our guys kept battling and stayed resilient. That’s what allowed us to pull out this win.”
Battlehawks RB Jacob Saylors tries to get around Renegades DB Ajene Harris during Friday’s UFL game at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis. (Photo: Thomas Grove)
The only touchdown of the game came in the second quarter, when Battlehawks quarterback Max Duggan hit receiver Hakeem Butler for a 30-yard score on a deep pass up the right sideline. Those six points proved to be the difference in the game, as the only other points came on field goals made by both teams’ kickers.
St. Louis’ Rodrigo Blankenship made a 49-yarder on the final play of the first half and added a 53-yarder midway through the fourth quarter to add to the Battlehawks’ points. Arlington’s Lucas Havrisik made two field goals in the fourth quarter to provide all the Renegades’ points.
Cole led the way for the Battlehawks defense, with eight tackles (five solo). Teammate Willie Harvey also had eight tackles (five solo), while Mike Rose had seven, and Taumoepenu had two sacks.
Battlehawks WR Denzel Mims tries to elude a pair of Renegades defenders during Friday’s UFL game at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis. (Photo: Thomas Grove)
For the offense, Duggan completed just seven-of-19 passes for just 93 yards, but he did add 49 rushing yards. Teammate Jacob Saylors led all rushers with 57 yards on 14 carries.
Perez threw for 145 yards for the Renegades, but also had an interception.
St. Louis is now 4-2 on the season, while Arlington fell to 3-3. The Battlehawks now own sole possession of second place in the XFL Conference and could move into a first-place tie with the DC Defenders, depending on what happens in their game on Sunday against the Michigan Panthers.
The Battlehawks next game will be next Sunday, May 11, when the team will travel to Tennessee to play the Memphis Showboats.
Kickoff that day at Liberty Stadium is slated for 2 p.m., and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
SCORING SUMMARY
| Team | Qtr | Clock | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STL | 2 | 2:00 | TOUCHDOWN – Max Duggan 30-yd pass to Hakeem Butler (2-pt conversion attempt failed). | 0-6 |
| STL | 2 | 00:02 | FIELD GOAL – Rodrigo Blankenship 49 yard field goal | 0-9 |
| ARL | 4 | 15:00 | FIELD GOAL – Lucas Havrisik 46 yard field goal | 3-9 |
| ARL | 4 | 11:47 | FIELD GOAL – Lucas Havrisik 26 yard field goal | 6-9 |
| STL | 4 | 6:28 | FIELD GOAL – Rodrigo Blankenship 53 yard field goal | 6-12 |
2025 ST. LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
| Date | Time | At | Opponent | Location | TV | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 28, 2025 (Friday) | 7 p.m. | Away | Houston Roughnecks | TDECU Stadium |  | W 31-6 (1-0) |
| April 6, 2025 (Sunday) | 5:30 p.m. | Home | San Antonio Brahmas | The Dome at America’s Center |  | W 26-9 (2-0) |
| April 13, 2025 (Sunday) | 2 p.m. | Home | DC Defenders | The Dome at America’s Center |  | L 27-15 (2-1) |
| April 19, 2025 (Saturday) | 11 a.m. | Away | Arlington Renegades | Choctaw Stadium | | L 30-15 (2-2) |
| April 26, 2025 (Saturday) | 6 p.m. | Home | Michigan Panthers | The Dome at America’s Center |  | W 32-27 (3-2) |
| May 2, 2025 (Friday) | 7 p.m. | Home | Arlington Renegades | The Dome at America’s Center | | W 12-6 (4-2) |
| May 11, 2025 (Sunday) | 2 p.m. | Away | Memphis Showboats | Liberty Stadium | | |
| May 17, 2025 (Saturday) | 12 p.m. | Home | Birmingham Stallions | The Dome at America’s Center | | |
| May 23, 2025 (Friday) | 7 p.m. | Home | San Antonio Brahmas | The Dome at America’s Center | | |
| May 30, 2025 (Friday) | 7 p.m. | Away | DC Defenders | Audi Field | |