The St. Louis Battlehawks (8-2) concluded the 2025 regular season on Friday night against the D.C. Defenders (6-3) from Audi Field. With the playoffs already set between these two teams, they played their backups and third strings. Heavy rain and lightning delayed the game for over an hour leaving a puddle on the field.
In the first quarter, St. Louis running back Jarveon Howard rushed up the middle for a one-yard touchdown. Then, he scored the one-point conversion for a 7-0 lead with 12:50 left. Late in the first quarter, St. Louis quarterback Brandon Silvers was sacked in the endzone by Andre Mintze for a safety. It was now 7-2 St. Louis heading into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, St. Louis kicker Rodrigo Blankenship made a 30-yard field goal and a 36-yard field goal for a 13-2 lead at halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, D.C. finally got on the board in the fourth quarter when quarterback Mike DiLiello threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Seth Williams. They did not get the two-point conversion.
The St. Louis Battlehawks defeated the D.C. Defenders by the final score of 13-8. They finish the regular season on a six-game winning streak.
St. Louis had 246 yards of offense led by quarterback Brandon Silvers completing 6 of 8 passes (75%) for 105 yards, and two carries for -2 yards. Running back Jarveon Howard led the rushers with 19 carries for 89 yards, and one rushing touchdown.
Wide receiver Hakeem Butler led the receivers making one catch for 38 yards, and Blake Jackson made two catches for 34 yards. Kicker Rodrigo Blankenship made two field goals with a long of 36 yards. The defense made 58 tackles, three tackles for loss, three sacks, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
D.C. had 236 yards of offense led by quarterback Mike DiLiello completing 18 of 26 passes (69.2%) for 142 yards, one touchdown, and ten carries for 60 yards. Running back Abram Smith had 11 carries for 43 yards.
Wide receiver Seth Williams led the receivers making four catches for 41 yards, and one touchdown, while Ben Bresnahan made two catches for 25 yards. Kicker Matt McCrane attempted two field goals but missed one, while the other was blocked. The defense made 49 tackles, four tackles for loss, and one sack.
Next week, the Battlehawks and Defenders go at it again in the XFL Conference Championship game on Sunday at 6 pm on Fox. Purchase UFL tickets today on StubHub and Viagogo.
