
Photos Courtesy of UFL
DC DEFENDERS WEEK 8 RECAP:
GOING OUT ON OUR SHIELDS
- Tyler Yasembousky, Contributor
The DC defenders had an opportunity to keep their FLEETING playoff hopes alive with a win over The St. Louis Battlehawks, a team that completely embarrassed DC, the last time they played.
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St.Louis would be without their starting QB AJ McCarran. Could this be the time for DC to get revenge and keep their small playoff hopes alive? Simply put, NO.
But to DC’s credit they didn't go down without a fight. The Battlehawks didn't get off to the start they were hoping for, turning the ball over on downs on their opening drive of the game.
The Defenders added a field goal after the Battlehawks' opening drive came to a halt, and they continued to apply pressure as St. Louis attempted to turn things around on its second drive of the game. Right when DC was about to add another score and really take control of this game, Jordan threw his WEEKLY interception.For whatever reason, every game he has one or two picks that are always ridiculously bad. The Battlehawks capitalized on the turnover and knotted things up with a field goal, capping off a 12-play, 62-yard drive. At this point the score was 3-3.
The Defenders tried to fake the punt late in the second quarter, but the Battlehawks spoiled their plans immediately.
Another questionable decision that really cost the team. St. Louis took a six-point lead after Jacob Saylors punched in a 2-yard rushing touchdown.The Defenders closed the gap slightly just before halftime, charging downfield with purpose and adding a quick field goal to make it a three-point game.
At the break, Defenders QB Jordan Ta’amu completed 70.6% (12 of 17) of his passes, while Battlehawks' signal-caller Manny Wilkins connected just 55.6% (5 of 9) of the time in the first half. The Defenders had more total yards of offense through the first two quarters (137 to St. Lous' 100), but the Battlehawks had two trips to the end zone, while Ta'amu's squad had none.
The Defenders came out strong in the second half, capitalizing on their first drive with a BEAUTIFUL touchdown catch from TE Alex Ellis. Unfortunately for DC, St. Louis answered back immediately, cashing in for a touchdown and two-point conversion on its ensuing drive
Remember those Ta’amu weekly interceptions I was talking about ?
Well here was another one.
The Defenders went three-and-out on their following drive, and they followed that up with a costly interception early in the fourth quarter that gave the Battlehawks the ball in the red zone. The Battlehawks turned the newfound possession into three points — settling for a field goal after the Defenders defense kept them out of the end zone entirely — to make it a six-point game early in the final frame
The Defenders put together a spectacular 12-play, 73-yard drive and bulldozed downfield to take a one-point lead with five minutes remaining. The Battlehawks responded with a score of their own, doing so in just five plays on the following drive. The two-point conversion attempt failed, so it remained a five-point game as the two-minute warning approached.
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Final Score: 26-21 Battlehawks
In the end, the Defenders had one more chance to take the win, but they came up short and turned things over on downs — sealing the Battlehawks' win.
St. Louis improved to 6-2 on the season and clinched a spot in the playoffs, while DC dropped to 3-5. The Defenders playoff hopes are over. But in the end, they went out on their shields and played a really tough team down to the wire.