Battlehawks move to first place in XFL Conference with road win at San Antonio

The St. Louis Battlehawks (2-1) to a share of first place in the XFL Conference with a 31-24 road win over the San Antonio Brahmas (2-1) 31-24 on Sunday, April 14, in San Antonio, Texas.

“It’s big,” Battlehawks quarterback AJ McCarron said during his postgame press conference. “To be able to have back-to-back wins within the division is big. We’re a 64- or 65-yard field goal away from being 3-0.”

AJ McCarron completed 19-of-27 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns, both from the air and ground. Hakeem Butler was his top target this time, catching six passes for 87 yards and a score.

“They really weren’t giving us anything deep,” McCarron said. “It was just a be efficient type of day.“

San Antonio kicker Ryan Santoso nailed a 35-yard field for the first points of the game. It was the only time the Brahmas led in the entire game.

St. Louis responded with a goalline run by McCarron to take a 6-3 lead. The Battlehawks ended the first quarter with a 20-yard touchdown pass from McCarron to Butler to extend the lead to 14-3 after completing the two-point conversion to tight end Jake Sutherland.

The Brahmas struck back with a two-yard touchdown run by John Lovett to cut the deficit to 14-9 in the second quarter. That drive lasted nine minutes, taking up much of the period.

St. Louis kicker Andre Szmyt made a 44-yard field goal to close out the field half with the Battlehawks leading 17-9. The Battlehawks had only three offensive drives in the first half but ended them all with points.

San Antonio played catchup throughout the second half. The Brahmas began the second half just like the first half, with a field goal from Santoso. A 54-yarder from Szmyt later in the third quarter rendered it moot.

San Antonio got as close to tying St. Louis in the entire game after an eight-yard touchdown rush from Anthony McFarland brought the Brahmas within two points of the Battlehawks. A field two-point attempt left the score 20-18, St. Louis, in the third quarter.

Szmyt’s third field goal of the game, a 46-yarder, extended St. Louis’ lead to 23-18 near the end of the third quarter. A 19-yard touchdown rush by running back Jacob Saylors gave the Battlehawks what seemed to be a comfortable 31-18 lead in the fourth quarter. Saylors led the Battlehawks’ rushing attack with 62 yards on seven carries.

San Antonio attempted a fourth-quarter comeback, starting with a two-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chase Garbers to Alize Mack to pull within 31-24. They had a chance to tie or take the lead with their final drive of the game, but they were stopped on fourth down.

“You wish as an offense you can tuck that game away on your own,” McCarron said. “But that’s how the game goes sometimes. But a hell of a win. Proud of the guys.”

The Battlehawks return home on April 20 to face the Memphis Showboats.