The St. Louis Battlehawks (5-2) hosted the Columbus Aviators (2-6) on Friday night from The Dome at America’s Center. The Battlehawks honored several players from the 1999 Super Bowl XXXIV champion St. Louis Rams, including head coach Dick Vermeil, Mike Jones, and more.
In the first quarter, St. Louis had the ball on the 37-yard line. On the third play, running back Jarveon Howard took off for 40 yards before fumbling the ball, and it was recovered by his teammate Blake Jackson on the 18-yard line. They would reach the one-yard line before quarterback Luis Perez scored the touchdown for a 7-0 lead that took 8 plays for 78 yards.
After St. Louis’s defense forced a three-and-out, the offense had the ball on the 30-yard line. On the sixth play, quarterback Luis Perez threw a 46-yard pass to Hakeem Butler to the 14-yard line. Two plays later, Perez threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Steven McBride. St. Louis led Columbus 14-0 heading into the second quarter, which took eight plays for 70 yards.
In the second quarter, Columbus moved the ball when running back Zaquandre White rushed for 23 yards to the 18-yard line. The offense moved the ball to the 15-yard line. On the next play, backup quarterback Jalen Morton scrambled for a 15-yard touchdown. The Aviators trailed the Battlehawks 14-7 to conclude a five-play drive for 60 yards.
Later, St. Louis kicker Ramiz Ahmed made a 38-yard field goal for a 17-7 lead. Late in the second quarter, St. Louis had the ball on the 40-yard line. Luis Perez threw a short pass to Tyler Neville for 26 yards, followed by running back Kylin James rushing for a 14-yard touchdown. The Battlehawks led the Aviators 24-7 to conclude a two-play drive for 40 yards.
In the third quarter, Columbus defensive back D.J. Miller Jr. picked off Perez’s pass to the 34-yard line. In the fourth quarter, Columbus quarterback Jalan McClendon threw a 21-yard pass to Antwane Wells to the two-yard line. Columbus was called on back-to-back penalties to the 12-yard line. On the next play, McClendon threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Tay Martin. The Aviators trailed the Battlehawks 24-14 to conclude a five-play drive for 34 yards.
Later, St. Louis would get those points back when running back Kylin James scored an 18-yard rushing touchdown for a 31-14 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The drive took six plays for 72 yards.
In the fourth quarter, Columbus went on a 13-play drive for 79 yards. The drive ended when quarterback Jalan McClendon threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Keke Chism. Kicker Ryan Coe missed the extra point. The Aviators trailed the Battlehawks 31-20.
Late in the game, St. Louis’s defense stopped Columbus on fourth down, and the Battlehawks went into victory formation. The Battlehawks defeated the Aviators 31-20 to win their third straight game.
St. Louis had 304 yards on offense (204 passing yards, 106 rushing yards), 20 first downs, 4 for 5 in the redzone, and the team was penalized four times. Quarterback Luis Perez completed 16 of 30 passes (53.3%) for 204 yards, one touchdown, one interception, three carries for -1 yard, and one rushing touchdown. Running back Jarveon Howard had 12 carries for 59 yards, while Kylin James had 10 carries for 41 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Wide receiver Hakeem Butler made three catches for 77 yards, and Steven McBride made two catches for 25 yards and one touchdown. The defense made 54 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception, and three pass breakups.
Columbus had 257 yards on offense (153 passing yards, 120 rushing yards), 14 first downs, 3 for 3 in the redzone, and the team was penalized 14 times. Quarterback Jalan McClendon completed 20 of 28 passes (71.4%) for 153 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and four carries for 28 yards. Running back John Lovett had 10 carries for 52 yards.
Wide receiver Tay Martin made seven catches for 55 yards and one touchdown, while Keke Chism made three catches for 21 yards and one touchdown. The defense made 50 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, six pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.
Next Saturday, the St. Louis Battlehawks host the Houston Gamblers at 3 pm on ABC, while the Columbus Aviators visit the Birmingham Stallions at 1 pm on Fox.
