Following their gritty 13–8 Week 10 victory over the DC Defenders, the St. Louis Battlehawks have firmly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with—hitting their stride at exactly the right time. Now standing at 8–2, the Battlehawks head into the playoffs riding a six-game winning streak and brimming with confidence.
Despite facing challenging, rain-soaked conditions on the road, St. Louis rose to the occasion once again. The win wasn’t just about resilience—it was also a showcase for the team’s depth. Last week, I emphasized the importance of giving our backups meaningful playing time. Not only did they gain experience, but they also delivered.
For the first time all season, the Battlehawks scored a touchdown on their opening drive—led by backup quarterback Brandon Silvers and a reserve offensive line. Silvers was sharp, completing 75% of his passes. Backup running back Jarveon Howard bulldozed his way to 89 yards and a touchdown, while third-string back Kevon Latulas added 59 yards on just 10 carries. Reliable as ever, kicker Rodrigo Blankenship nailed both of his field goal attempts, despite the slick, unforgiving turf.
Everything is clicking for St. Louis. The team has discovered its identity, and each unit—offense, defense, and special teams—is peaking at the perfect time.
Now, the stage is set for a high-stakes rematch against the DC Defenders in the XFL Conference championship playoff game on Sunday, June 8th, at 5 p.m. CT. The electric home crowd at The Dome will be rocking.
How will this Battlehawks squad respond? Expect intensity at an all-time high. This will be no ordinary game. The Defenders will be at full strength, led by all-UFL quarterback Jordan Ta’amu. But Head Coach Anthony Becht has his team laser-focused, fully aware of what’s on the line.
My prediction? This playoff battle will be a true test of grit. It’s going to be a fistfight—mental and physical toughness will decide the outcome.
Kaw-Kaw!