Battlehawks take XFL Conference lead with rally against Stallions

Field Level Media|published: Sat 17th May, 18:32 2025

Mar 30, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; St. Louis Battlehawks tight end Jake Sutherland celebrates a touchdown against the Michigan Panthers during the second half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images

The St. Louis Battlehawks scored 16 fourth-quarter points to rally for a 29-28 victory over the visiting Birmingham Stallions on Saturday that earned a half-game lead over the DC Defenders in the XFL Conference.

In a battle of first-place teams, the Stallions (5-3) jumped out to a 9-0 lead sparked by J'Mar Smith's 65-yard touchdown pass to Deon Cain on the game's first play from scrimmage. Cain had a huge day with two touchdown catches totaling 115 yards. Smith threw for 262 yards and three scores, but also tossed an interception.

Quarterback Max Duggan kept St. Louis (6-2) in the game with his legs, running for 54 yards and two first-half touchdowns to erase the early deficit and provide St. Louis a 13-12 halftime lead.

Cain raced 50 yards for his second score and a field goal gave Birmingham a 21-13 lead going into the fourth.

St. Louis' Jacob Saylors, who finished with 118 yards on the ground, completed the comeback with 3:03 to go. First, he rushed for a 1-yard touchdown to tie things up, then he went up the middle for the 1-point conversion to give the Battlehawks the 29-28 lead. Birmingham drove into St. Louis territory, but a lost fumble in the final minute ended the Stallions' chances.

St. Louis maintained its hold on first place in the XFL Conference. Despite the loss, Birmingham clinched a spot in the USFL Conference title game against the Michigan Panthers (6-2). They'll meet June 8 at Birmingham's Protective Stadium for the right to play in the UFL title game.

--Field Level Media

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