DEFENDERS WIN THE XFL CHAMPIONSHIP

The DC Defenders had a tough task at hand, as they had to face St. Louis, their biggest rival. As a matter of fact, St. Louis is a team that just beat them a week ago..Could the Defenders actually pull off the unlikely upset ? Or would the rough games against the BattleHawks continue ? 

 

Defenders open up scoring. After back-to-back punts, things got interesting midway through the first quarter. The road team struck gold on their second possession. QB, Jordan Ta’amu hit Seth Williams on a deep ball that turned into a 41-yard touchdown that gave the Defenders an early 6-0 lead.

 

The Defenders had another successful drive that went from the end of the first quarter to the opening minutes of the second quarter. 

 

Facing a first-and-goal from the Battlehawks' 2-yard line, RB Deon Jackson looked like he was going to get at least a yard on a carry before the pile he was in drove him into the end zone for the score. With that, the Defenders jumped out to a 14-0 lead.

 

The Battlehawks defense made a huge play in the second half, as CB Myles Jones intercepted Jordan Ta’amu’s pass, returning it 24 yards to the Defenders' 21-yard line.

 

Not long after getting the interception, the Battlehawks got the much-needed score. RB Jacob Saylors found the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown, and the home team cut the lead to 14-6 with roughly three minutes to go until halftime.

 

The Battlehawks' push to get points in the final minute of the first half didn't go as planned. 

 

QB Max Duggan took a hard hit when he looked to make a throw downfield, losing the ball and giving the Defenders the ball deep in their opponent's territory. DC kicked a 40-yard field goal a few plays later to make it a 20-6 game going into the break.

 

Defenders open second-half scoring

 

The Battlehawks turned the ball over on downs to start the third quarter, and the Defenders didn't waste any time capitalizing on the miscue. 

 

Jordan Ta'amu and company cashed in for another score, making it a 20-point game, 26-6, midway through the third quarter.

 

The Battlehawks fired back with a score of their own on the following drive, going 72 yards in six plays to close the gap slightly, 26-12. St. Louis' star wideout Hakeem Butler came down with the jaw-dropping, 12-yard touchdown.

 

The Defenders opened the fourth-quarter scoring with a rushing touchdown to put them ahead 33-12.

 

Deon Jackson with another TD ! Dude was going off 

 

The Battlehawks went three-and-out on their first fourth-quarter drive, and the Defenders added a field goal to extend their lead late, 36-12.

 

The Battlehawks added a touchdown with 2:17 remaining to make it 36-18, but it was too little too late for St. Louis.

 

The Defenders sealed the double-digit win with an interception right before the two-minute warning.

 

The Defenders will now face the Michigan Panthers who took down the defending champion Birmingham stallions by double digits, 44-29, in the USFL conference championship game earlier — in the UFL title game on June 14.

 

I am so excited for this DC team 

 

Jordan had an incredible game and this team has a real shot to win it all.