XFL Game of the Week: St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Houston Roughnecks
It’ll be a battle between two of the most potent offenses in the XFL when the Houston Roughnecks host the St. Louis Battlehawks on Sunday in what’s sure to be a high-scoring affair, as Houston and St. Louis are second and third in the league in total points scored, respectively.
Houston will look to rebound following back-to-back losses, including a 37-26 home loss to the undefeated D.C. Defenders last Monday. The Roughnecks still hold the best record in the South Division at 4-2.
St. Louis is also 4-2, although the Battlehawks are only second in the North Division behind the Defenders. The Battlehawks’ last matchup was a decisive 29-6 road victory against the Vegas Vipers.
Throughout the first six weeks of the season, the Roughnecks have been led by Brandon Silvers at quarterback. But after a weak start against the Defenders, Silvers was benched for backup Cole McDonald.
McDonald impressed, completing 8-of-11 passes for 194 yards and one touchdown, as well as another score on the ground. Silvers had gone 10-of-17 for 111 yards, no touchdowns and one interception before being taken out.
The Roughnecks have not announced who will be under center on Sunday.
The Battlehawks’ star player has been former All-American quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide, A.J. McCarron, who is currently first in the league in passing touchdowns.
In last week’s matchup McCarron went 23-of-29 for 236 yards and three touchdowns, two of which were caught by wide receiver Darrius Shepherd, who put up 79 yards on seven catches.
McCarron’s number one target this season has been wide receiver Hakeem Butler, who is second in the league in receiving yards with 372.
Butler and Shepherd have been one of the most prolific receiving duos in the league but will face a tough matchup this weekend against a Houston secondary that leads the league in interceptions with nine.
The majority of those picks were caught by cornerback Ajene Harris, who currently has the most interceptions in the XFL with five. The backfield also features Sean Davis, whose three interceptions place him third in the league.
The Battlehawks will also have to contend with the front-seven tandem of linebacker Trent Harris and defensive end Tim Ward, who have terrorized opposing quarterbacks all season. Harris currently leads the league in sacks with six, while Ward is tied for second with five, making them the most efficient pass rush combo in the league.
St. Louis’ defense doesn’t have the same level of star power but has been producing all season long and is coming off a dominant performance against Vegas. The Battlehawks forced punts on the Vipers’ first four possessions and allowed just 3.2 yards per play in the first half.
The defensive effort was led by safety Nate Meadors, who racked up eight total tackles along with two passes defended. Cornerback Lavert Hill also contributed two interceptions in the win.
With both rosters loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, the Battlehawks and Roughnecks are sure to give fans one of the best games of the season.
Declan Stablow is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email djs7159@psu.edu.
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Declan Stablow
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