DEFENDERS WEEK 9: NO NEED TO PANIC

Can the Defenders keep their hot streak going?

 

Keep an eye out for Defenders receiver Cornell Powell, the new league leader in touchdown receptions (five) with two weeks left in the regular season. He has 21 receptions for 314 yards and five scores on 44 targets this season.

 

The Defenders will play the St. Louis battle Hawks in the XFL Conference title game at The Dome at America’s Center on June 8 regardless of how the two teams finish the regular season. This is a game that doesn’t mean much, but can DC keep its winning ways? Or do they play it safe?

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Remember when I said keep an eye on Powell? Well he couldn’t be stopped to start the game. The visiting Defenders were first on the board, capping off a quick six-play drive with a 44-yard touchdown strike and a 6-0 lead.

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Disaster struck for the Defenders on the ensuing two-point attempt, though, after QB Jordan Ta’amu was picked off at the goal line by Houston linebacker Marvin moody ran the interception all the way back for a defensive score. Just like that, it was a 6-2 game right out of the gate.

 

Houston went three-and-out on the following drive, giving DC the ball back late in the opening quarter. Then, the Defenders strung together an 11-play drive that resulted in a field goal to extend their lead to 9-2.

 

The Roughnecks closed the gap slightly, 9-5, with a field goal of their own to open the second quarter. Then DC fumbles, Houston comes up with it! 

 

Both teams traded punts before the Defenders got the ball back midway through the second quarter. 

 

What started as a promising drive for DC ended in a costly red-zone fumble by receiver Javon Antonio after a 12-yard catch. The Roughnecks recovered the ball, but they weren't able to make anything out of the newfound possession, and it remained a four-point game.

 

The Defenders got the ball back with less than three minutes to spare and were moving the ball well before punting it away with just over a minute to go before the break. The Roughnecks had the final say in the first half, cashing in for a late touchdown to take their first lead of the game.

 

Halftime: Roughnecks 11, Defenders 9

 

Houston starts second half with a bang. The Roughnecks didn't waste any time adding to their lead, coming out strong in the second half and scoring on their first possession of the third quarter. QB Jalen McClendon hit WR Keke Chism for the 13-yard score and a 17-9 lead

 

Late in the third quarter, FOX Sports' Jenny Taft talked with NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens, who was in attendance to support the Defenders. A missed field goal by the Defenders kept the Roughnecks in the driver's seat, and they continued to keep their foot on the gas as the third quarter came to a close. Houston added another score to make it a 24-9 game.

 

The Defenders make a final push. DC had another costly fumble late in the game, but the Roughnecks weren't able to capitalize on the turnover. Instead, DC got the ball back after Houston went three-and-out and cashed in for a late touchdown.

 

Houston fumbles! DC ball with 1:51 left in a one score game!

 

The Roughnecks' final drive started strong, but QB Jalan McClendon fumbled at the goal line and gave life to the Defenders, who got the ball back with just under two minutes left in regulation.

 

2nd touchdown of the day for Powell ! 

 

The Defenders made huge progress with little time, punching in a score with just five seconds left in the game to make it a three-point game, 24-21. With the game on the line, the only thing DC could do was attempt a three-point conversion, which was unsuccessful. Just like that, things ended there.

 

In a shocking turn of events, the Roughnecks, who had already been eliminated from playoff contention, took down the Defenders at home in Houston. 

 

My thoughts - there’s no need to panic winning this game or losing this game doesn’t matter the grand scheme of things keep in mind Jordan Didn’t even play the second half of the game so we made this a close game with our backup quarterback 

 

We now play St. Louis two weeks in a row first game at home that doesn’t really mean anything and then finally in St. Louis for the conference championship.

 

Hopefully the defenders can play their best ball and make a playoff run !