The St. Louis Battlehawks (Photo by the St. Louis Battlehawks and the UFL)
St. Louis continues to struggle in the UFL playoffs
St. Louis 20, Louisville 29
The St. Louis Battlehawks had to fight the hottest team in the UFL in their playoff game. Louisville started the season 0-3, but they finished it 6-1. St. Louis was the lone stumble in their seven-game hot streak. It was a little concerning that St. Louis lost their last game heading into the playoffs. The Kings’ hot start had Battlehawks faithful sweating. Louisville scored on a 53-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter to go up 7-0. St. Louis would answer with a Ramiz Ahmed field goal to make it 7-3.
Louisville would get their own field goal in response. The Kings nailed a 60-yarder to make the score 11-3. That was when the Battlehawks would start to get online. A 10-play, 67-yard touchdown drive was capped by Jarveon Howard, who made the score 11-10.
Luis Perez would get on track next. He’d lead a six-play, 48-yard touchdown drive. He’d finish it with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Blake Jackson. The extra point was good and would give St. Louis a 17-11 lead at halftime.
Second Half
Louisville would respond in the third quarter. The Kings would retake the lead with an 89-yard touchdown drive. Louisville would lead 18-17, but the Battlehawks would answer with a 45-yard field goal from Ramiz Ahmed. The kick would make the score 20-18 heading into the fourth quarter, and a trip to DC for the UFL Championship game on the line.
Early in the fourth quarter, the usually stout Battlehawks’ defense would give up another big run, this time a 51-yard rushing touchdown. Louisville would lead St. Louis, 25-20. Another 60-plus-yard field goal from the Kings would make it a nine-point lead. A furious, last-minute rally by St. Louis would get them to the Louisville five-yard line. They’d go no further, and an interception thrown by Luis Perez would end St. Louis’ hopes and season.
An Old Familiar Tune
For the third straight season, the St. Louis Battlehawks would make the UFL playoffs. It was the third straight season they’d have a home game in St. Louis, where the best homefield advantage in the UFL lives, too. And for the third straight season, the St. Louis Battlehawks failed to advance in the playoffs.
