By Michael Heilman

Week 3 of the XFL season wrapped up with two games. First, the St. Louis BattleHawks made their home debut against the New York Guardians, and the DC Defenders visited the Los Angeles Wildcats at Dignity Health Sports Park.

St. Louis BattleHawks 29, New York Guardians 9

BattleHawks running-back Christine Michael got St. Louis on the board with a fourteen-yard touchdown run for a 6-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. New York would cut St. Louis’s lead 6-3 on a 53-yard field goal from Matthew McCrane. On the kickoff, Keith Mumphery ran six-yard before lateraling the ball to BattleHawks safety Joe Powell, becaming the first player to return a kickoff return for a touchdown for a total of 90-yards to extend the BattleHawks lead 12-3.

Taylor Russolino added three more points to the board with a 39-yard field goal for a 15-9 BattleHawks lead. St. Louis running back Matt Jones rushed for a one-yard touchdown run, and a successful two-point conversion by Alonzo Russell had the BattleHawks up 23-3 at halftime. Taylor Russolino would add another field goal, this time a 58-yarder to extend St. Louis lead 26-3.

Luis Perez finally got the Guardians some more points with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Austin Duke to trail 26-9. Taylor Russolino would make one more field goal, a 36-yarder to give the St. Louis BattleHawks a 29-9 win over the New York Guardians.

BattleHawks quarterback Jordan Ta’Amu finished the afternoon 12 of 18 for 119-yards. Matt Jones and Christine Michael combined for 28 carries for 139-yards and two rushing touchdowns. BattleHawks wide receiver Alonzo Russell led the team in receiving with three receptions on three targets for thirty-six yards. The BattleHawks defense had three sacks and one interception.

For the second consecutive game, Guardians quarterback Matt McGloin did not have a great game going 8 of 11 for 84-yards and one interception. He was replaced by backup quarterback Marquise Williams, who was 7 of 15 for 94-yards. Luis Perez came in for Williams and finished the game 4 of 5 for 39-yards and one touchdown. At this point, neither Williams or Perez will be the starting quarterback going forward.

Tim Cook III led the Guardians in rushing on nine carries for fifty-yards. Wide receiver Austin Duke led the team in receiving with four receptions on six targets for 43-yards and one touchdown. The Guardians defense got to Ta’Amu twice.

The Guardians are now 1-2 and will return home next Saturday against the Los Angeles Wildcats at 2 pm on ABC while the BattleHawks move to 2-1 and will host the Seattle Dragons next Saturday at 5 pm on FOX.

Los Angeles Wildcats 39, DC Defenders 9

Wildcats quarterback Josh Johnson completed a 40-yard touchdown pass to Tre McBride to put Los Angeles in the lead 6-0. Larry Rose rushed for a one-yard touchdown run followed by a successful two-point conversion from Martez Carter to extend the Wildcats lead 14-0 in the second quarter.

The route was on; Josh Johnson connected to Tre McBride for the second time on a 28-yard touchdown pass for a 20-0 lead. Martez Carter would rush for a one-yard touchdown run followed by a successful one-point conversion from Larry Rose to put Los Angeles up 27-0. The Defenders would finally get on the board thirty-seconds left in the second quarter on a 32-yard field goal from Ty Rausa to cut the lead 27-3 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Josh Johnson would throw his third touchdown of the game this time to Martez Carter for 18-yards and a 33-3 Wildcats lead. Martez Carter would get another rushing touchdown this time for twenty yards, and LA was up 39-3. The Defenders would finally score a touchdown with over seven minutes left as running-back Nick Brossette rushed for a 38-yard touchdown as the Defenders fall to the Los Angeles Wildcats 39-9.

Los Angeles Wildcats quarterback Josh Johnson had a solid game going 18 of 25 for 278-yards and three touchdowns. Martez Carter led the Wildcats in rushing on eleven carries for thirty-four-yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Tre McBride led the team in receiving with five receptions on six targets for 109-yards and two touchdowns. Los Angeles defense made three sacks, four interceptions, two of them by Mike Stevens, one forced fumble, and one forced fumble recovery.

DC Defenders quarterback Cardale Jones had a rough game going 13 of 26 for 103-yards and throwing four interceptions. Nick Brossette led the Defenders in rushing on eight carries for 75-yards and one touchdown. Tight End Khari Lee led the team in receiving with three receptions on three targets for thirty-eight-yards.

The DC Defenders fall to 2-1 and will look to rebound next Sunday against the Tampa Bay Vipers at 7 pm on ESPN 2 while the Los Angeles Wildcats are now 1-2 and will head to the Meadowlands to take on the New York Guardians next Saturday at 2 pm on ABC.