The first round of the UFL playoffs did not disappoint! Both games were one-score affairs (gotta love the three-point option) and the crowds were engaged and excited. Homefield advantage melted away under the Daytona sun and the Kaw is not the Law in St. Louis according to the Kings' degree. Both Coach Becht and his old franchise St. Louis continue their quest for that elusive first playoff win.
The switch to Daytona was a last-minute change by Repole and the league and it worked beautifully. The team drew over 6k to the stadium - a number certainly higher than anything the original plan of hosting the game in Columbus would have collected.
Unfortunately, the Storm faithful saw Becht continue his journey into the Jim Mora Sr. of the UFL. Another solid 8-2 regular season disappeared into playoff disappointment. 30-10 in the regular season washed away by 0-3 in the playoffs.
St. Louis delivered a respectable crowd to the Dome that, once again, left in misery. The Battlehawks' attendance plunged 20% this season and the brief feedback online has many fans threatened to yield their season tickets. Now, much of that might be heat-of-the-moment exasperation but the league could have used a win for Birds.
Louisville continued its Cinderella campaign. The Kings started 0-3 before trading Jason Bean - which in a marvelous twist will be their foe on Saturday in the United Bowl - and rolling to the 6-4 finish and now a playoff win. A team that once couldn't run the ball on a Pop Warner team has ripped off massive gains. Chandler Rogers is consistent and the defense swarms.
DC 28, Orlando 22
The key to a playoff upset is a fast start. DC roared to a 14-6 lead on two short rushing touchdowns. Orlando answered with two field goals but eschewed a third three-point attempt in lieu of a 4th and goal try. The chance failed and momentum returned to the Defenders. Take the points in the first half. DC missed the opportunity to cash in before halftime when McCrane inexplicably shanked a 28-yard attempt.
The Defenders added a field goal and were driving for more points when Bean went down with an arm injury. Backup Spencer Sanders entered the game and threw a tragic pick six on a screen pass. Orlando was alive, as Sanders' career died. The cruel camera caught him, squatting down before the bench in gross acknowledgment.
Bean returned to the game and calmed the storm with a devastating touchdown drive, capped by a 33-yard pass. Orlando renewed its strategy of relying to seven points with three. McCrane answered with a 60-yard field goal (counting for four points in the UFL). Because in spring football, that is how kickers roll. Miss the put. Make the eagle.
DC went into a softer-than-Neville Chamberlain prevent defense and Orlando scored with three minutes left. The three-point conversion failed but they had life down 28-22. Becht controversially passed up the 4th and 12 chance, trusting his gashed defense and three timeouts. The gambit failed. DC gained two first downs and drained the clock. The defending champions remain alive.
Louisville 29, St. Louis 20
The Kings possibly ended the Spring King's reign with a road playoff win. The affair went back-and-forth before a Perez red zone interception ended the contest. Perez had more pass attempts (45) than Louisville had plays (42) but the Kings maximized their possessions and used big running plays to drive past the Battlehawks.
Louisville scored first on a 53-yard touchdown run by James Robinson. St. Louis responded with a field goal before Tanner Brown connected on a four-point 60-yard bomb.
The second quarter was all St. Louis with the Battlehawks tallying two touchdowns for a 17-11 halftime lead.
Rogers found Winstead for a 9-yard touchdown pass and Louisville regained the 18-17 advantage. St. Louis replied with a field goal for a 20-18 lead. The Battlehawks missed a prime opportunity to extend their lead when Perez missed a wide-open McBride.
Louisville capitalized on the miss when Ian Wheeler darted 55 yards for a touchdown. St. Louis challenged for a block in the back but Dean Blandino disagreed. The Battlehawks drove down the field but their red zone reception disappeared when Louisville challenged for holding. The penalty was obvious. St. Louis' drive went backwards and their 4th and 26 attempt was batted down.
The Kings moved the ball to St. Louis' 45 and faced a 4th and 6 decision. Brown told his coach he would make the field goal. Redman trusted his kicker and Brown booted a 63-yard missile for the 29-20 lead and a possible NFL contract.
The Battlehawks refused to cede and drove down the field looking for the tying score. Their last ditch effort perished when Chambers picked off Perez, who was seeking Butler, in the end zone. Louisville knelt down and the Kings punched their ticket for the United Bowl.
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