Home NFL St. Louis Battlehawks Shakes Off A Shaky Start Against The Vegas Vipers

St. Louis Battlehawks Shakes Off A Shaky Start Against The Vegas Vipers

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Photo Credit: Elvin L. Anderson Jr.

Las Vegas, NV—The St. Louis Battlehawks got their offense together after a slow start. St. Louis scored 23 unanswered points before Vegas were able to smell the end-zone.

Battlehawks’ QB A.J. McCarron led the offense with 236 yards passing and three touchdowns and Lavert Hill picked off two interceptions for St. Louis as the Battlehawks beat the Vipers 29-6 Saturday night at Cashman Field.

With the win, St. Louis improves their record to 4-2 and move into a tie with Seattle Sea Dragons for second place behind undefeated D.C. Defenders in the XFL North. The loss dropped the Vipers to 1-5 for the season.

McCarron completed 23 of 29 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns. His main target was wide-out Darrius Shepherd, who also leads the XFL in kick returns this season; Shepherd hauled in seven passes for 79 yards and two scores.

St. Louis defense forced four quick punts in the first-half drive to start the game, the Battlehawks scored in three plays to cover 57 yards in 50 seconds to take a 17-0 lead going into the locker room. With just 30 seconds to play before the break, McCarron hit Shepherd for a 30-yard touchdown pass.

Photo Credit: Elvin L. Anderson Jr.

Hakeem Butler had five catches for 36 yards while running back Brian Hill caught four for 29 yards to go along with 71 rushing yards for St. Louis.

The Battlehawks defense was lights out led by defensive back Nate Meadors had (8 tackles) and LaCale London (5 tackles, ½ sack). Carson Wells had 1 ½ sacks while Lavert Hill intercepted two passes for the Battlehawks.

After the second pick, Vegas made a switch at quarterback position, bringing in Brett Hundley. He led the Vegas down the field eventually scoring which was the only score of the day, a 17-yard scoring dime to John Lovett with 7 minutes to play that cut the St. Louis lead to 23-6.

A misplayed kickoff gave St. Louis the ball back at the Vegas’ 45. A few plays later, they struck gold when McCarron scrambled to keep the play alive and hooked up with Shepherd in the back of the end zone for 6-yard touchdown.