St. Louis falls at home to Houston (Media by the St. Louis Battlehawks and the UFL)
An Epic St. Louis Come Back Falls Just Short
St. Louis 16, Houston 23
The St. Louis Battlehawks were flying high after their defeat of the Columbus Aviators. The win had put them in sole possession of first place in the UFL. Their battle with the Houston Gambles brought them back down to earth. For the first three quarters of the football game, the Battlehawks looked more like wounded ducks.
St. Louis only managed three Ramiz Ahmed field goals in the first and second quarters, and were blanked in the third. But they came alive in the fourth quarter. Luis Perez would have 308 passing yards and a touchdown, but also throw two interceptions. Still, Perez would shine in the fourth quarter.
A Fight in the Final Quarter
Perez would lead the St. Louis offense in a huge fourth-quarter rally. Slinging it to wide receiver Steven McBride and tight end Tyler Neville, Perez and the St. Louis offense would rack up 198 total yards in the fourth quarter. The trouble is, they needed 201 yards of offense.
The Battlehawks would get the ball with 14:22 left in the football game and come alive. They’d go on a seven-play, 71-yard drive in 3:46 to make the 23-9 game that Houston had dominated into a one-score affair. The Battlehawks defense would force a three-and-out, and the offense would drive again. This one ended on downs, but the St. Louis defense would again force a punt by Houston after three plays.
A Final Roll of the Dice in St. Louis
St. Louis would get the ball at their own 11-yard line with 1:53 left in the ball game. At the Houston 15-yard line with 0:13 to go, Perez would find McBride for a 12-yard gain to the Houston three-yard line. Three yards from potentially tying the game and forcing overtime, but the Battlehawks, with no timeouts, couldn’t get a final crack at the end zone off before the clock ran out.
Itching for the Rematch
St. Louis won’t have to wait to try to pay Houston back. They’ll get a chance to do it in the Gamblers’ house this week. With only this and the season finale at home against Dallas, the next week left on the schedule, the Battlehawks need a win. They’re so close to the playoffs and would have only themselves to blame if they were to miss out on the postseason.
