LA Wildcats 14, NY Guardians 17
The XFL is only one week away from hitting the halfway mark of the season, and some teams are still seeking their first win of the season. That was the case for the New York Guardians. The Guardians had a lot of potential coming into this season, but they never could really get their offense going. While the LA Wildcats had a very strong and promising start in week 1 but struggled in both week 2 and 3. So, both teams were looking to start some momentum heading into the halfway mark of the season.
This game was physical and close the entire game. Both teams couldn’t seem to find their way scoring the ball, but the defense for both teams was outstanding. The scoring started when kicker Matthew McCrane drilled a 51-yard field goal to jump up 3-0. The Wildcats answered with a touchdown after QB Josh Johnson found WR Tre McBride for a 4-yard touchdown.
The Guardians began to move the ball down field early in the 4th Quarter. However, they still struggled to find the endzone. It came down to their kicker Matthew McCrane, who had already drilled two long field goals. This kick was no different as McCrane drilled a 47-yard field goal to go up 17-14.
The Guardians hit another field goal early in the 2nd Quarter before finally finding the endzone after QB Luis Perez found Mekale McKay for a 3-yard touchdown. The Guardians went into the locker room with a 14-6 lead over the Wildcats.
Both teams struggled to move the ball in the second half. The Wildcats finally scored when QB Josh Johnson found WR Saeed Blacknall for a 42-yard bomb to tie up the game at 14 a piece. The Guardians began to move the ball down field early in the 4th Quarter. However, they still struggled to find the endzone. It came down to their kicker Matthew McCrane, who had already drilled two long field goals. This kick was no different as McCrane drilled a 47-yard field goal to go up 17-14. The Wildcats had the opportunity drive down the fields and try to tie the game or win it. However, their offensive struggles continued, and they were not able to get it done. The New York Guardians win their first game of the season over the LA Wildcats 17-14.
Seattle Dragons 16, St. Louis Battlehawks 23
The second game of the day had the Seattle Dragons taking on the St. Louis Battlehawks. The Dragons came into this game with some QB troubles. Brandon Silvers had been the man in charge for the first 3 weeks of the season, but the Dragons decided to go in a different direction going with QB BJ Daniels.
However, the main story of this game was the performance of former Ole Miss QB Jordan Ta’amu. The Seattle Dragons had a total of 253-yards, while Jordan Ta’amu had 327 by himself. He was 20/27 and threw for 264, while rushing for 63 yards. Jordan Ta’amu joins P.J. Walker and Cardale Jones as early contenders for MVP.
Seattle’s QB B.J Daniels was able to get some of the offense going with the run game. Daniels was able to rush for 84-yards which opened up the throwing game for them. Daniels was able to find TE Evan Rodriguez for a short 10-yard touchdown pass to bring the game to 20-16 early in the 4th quarter. However, the Battlehawks were able to control the ball in the 4th quarter and hit a late field goal to win the game 23-16 over the Dragons.
St. Louis was in full control the entire game jumping out to an early 11-0 lead and never really looked back. Seattle slowly started to crawl back into the game before halftime until the Battlehawks started to run away with game extending their lead 17-3.
The struggle continues for the Seattle Dragons as the season is getting ready to hit the halfway mark. A team that seemed to have a lot of potential in week 1 has struggled immensely in the last 3 weeks. While the Battlehawks have placed themselves in one of the top spots of the league and is looking to make a massive push heading into the playoffs.
We are starting to see teams slowly rising from the ashes from early season difficulties. The New York Guardians defense lead them to victory and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them lean on that defense for the rest of the year. We are also starting to see teams separate themselves from the pack. The St. Louis Battlehawks have a very strong chance to win the entire thing if QB Jordan Ta’amu plays like he did today. All we know right now is that the rest of the year is going to be a lot of fun to watch unfold!