In a tightly contested match at Audi Field,the St. Louis Battlehawks emerged victorious against the D.C. Defenders with a final score of 13-8. A crowd of 12,624 spectators witnessed the Battlehawks’ defensive prowess, holding D.C. to their lowest point total as Week 6 of the 2024 season against Houston.

Brandon Silvers, the Battlehawks’ QB, started the game strong with a 38-yard pass to WR Hakeem Butler. RB Jarveon Howard followed up with a 20-yard run, setting up a touchdown. howard then scored the first touchdown and followed up with a successful one-point conversion,putting St. louis ahead 7-0. DE Austin Faoliu sacked D.C. QB Mike DiLiello, leading to a weather delay.

After a 47-minute delay, the game resumed on a waterlogged field. D.C.DE Andre Mintze sacked Silvers in the end zone for a safety, narrowing the score to 7-2.

Despite the challenging conditions, the Battlehawks pressed on.Silvers connected with WR Jahcour Pearson for a 30-yard gain, and Howard added another 23 rushing yards.K Rodrigo Blankenship successfully kicked a 30-yard field goal, extending the Battlehawks’ lead to 10-2.

The Defenders mounted a response with a series of runs before the two-minute warning. LB Carson wells recovered a fumble by DiLiello. St. Louis capitalized with an 11-yard run by Howard and a 28-yard pass from Silvers to WR Blake Jackson. Blankenship then made a 36-yard field goal, increasing the Battlehawks’ advantage to 13-2 at halftime.

Second Half Action

The Battlehawks kept their momentum going despite the rain.

D.C. began the second half with a 19-yard pass to TE Ben Bresnahan and a 12-yard rush by RB Abram Smith. K Matt McCrane attempted a 49-yard field goal, but LB Chris Garrett blocked the kick.

Following a turnover on downs by St. Louis, D.C. scored their first touchdown with a 4-yard rush by WR Seth Williams. DiLiello completed a 17-yard pass to Williams and WR Javon Antonio added a 9-yard rush, setting up the touchdown and making the score 13-8.

QB Chevan Corderio debuted for the Battlehawks with 4:33 remaining. RB Kevon Latulas contributed with a 10-yard and a 12-yard rush,securing the Battlehawks’ victory.

Looking ahead, the Battlehawks will face the D.C. Defenders again in the XFL Conference Championship at The Dome at America’s centre on Sunday, June 8, at 5 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on FOX.