Week 4 pitted the two teams with the biggest fan bases against each other for a matchup that did not disappoint. The St. Louis BattleHawks beat the Seattle Dragons 23-16. A chippy game with extracurricular activities going on after the whistles and flops by Dragons quarterback B.J. Daniels that would make LeBron James proud. Yet through the flags, pushing, shoving, and smack talk, the BattleHawks stood strong and shut down another offense in a close one.
Defensively, St. Louis has been able to keep teams at bay by only allowing 5 touchdowns in 3 games. This game was no different, granted the Dragons did score the second most amount of points on the BattleHawks, allowing 16 points including only two touchdowns. It seems the issue with St. Louis’defensive scheme is the inability to keep mobile quarterbacks from gaining yards on the ground. B.J. Daniels relieved Brandon Silivers in the second half for the Dragons. Although Daniels only threw for 100 yards, he was able to pick up 84 yards on the ground to bring this game much too close for comfort. Bringing the game within four points in the fourth quarter, then a field goal from the BattleHawks to spread it out to a 7 point lead, Daniels had a chance to at least tie midway through, and instead threw an interception to the defensive captain, Will Hill, marking his second game-ending interception of the year. St. Louis’ defense comes up with big plays week after week to earn the reputation as one of, if not the best,defenses in the XFL.
It is now time to welcome you to the Jordan Ta’amushow. For the first time this year, the offense was truly run through Ta’amu. Not a single running back ran for over 30 yards in this game, even with the 30 carries spread between three backs. Ta’amu managed to gather 63 yards on 16 carries. It was a good sign to see him read the defense and keep the ball when the defense gave him all that space to work with, something that was not done as often in previous weeks. As for passing, only seven of Ta’amu’s 27 attempts fell incomplete to accumulate 267 yards passing. Ta’amu was able to spread the ball around to eight different receivers, but none more beneficial than De’Mornay Pierson-El. Pierson-El hauled in five receptions for 71 yards and the lone touchdown reception of the day.
St. Louis’ defense is the best part of this team and as long as they can keep shutting teams down it should be smooth sailing. Offensively, this team has proven it can move the ball multiple ways and with multiple personnel. Sitting at 3-1 after this victory, St. Louis looks to continue their solid play in the league. Next week, the BattleHawks travel to the nation’s capital to square off against the struggling, yet talented, DC Defenders.
Notable stats:
Jordan Ta’amu: 20/27 267 yrds, 1 td, 16 car, 63 yds
De’Mornay Pierson-El: 5 rec, 71 yds, 1 td rec
Will Hill: 2 tackles, 1 int
Cracked Pavement Sports 