Saturday Recap by Andy York
Seattle Dragons 23, Houston Roughnecks 32
It is officially the halfway mark of the XFL. Up until now the XFL hasn’t had to face a major battle yet when it comes to ratings or airtime. However, all of that is about to change with March Madness right around the corner. While I am sure there will be a dip in the ratings, if the XFL can continue to have games like this, then they will be just fine. The Houston Roughnecks came into this game as the hottest team in the XFL. Quarterback P.J. Walker has become the early favorite for MVP and has put the Roughnecks as favorites to win it all.
While the Seattle Dragons have had a difficult past 2 weeks after losing to both the Battlehawks and the Renegades in very poor performances. The Dragons have struggled to find a consistent QB and a defense that struggles to get off the field. However, this week the Dragons seemed to be up for the challenge against the #1 team in the XFL.
The Dragons jumped out to an early 14-0 lead after QB B.J. Daniels and RB Trey Williams rushed into the endzone. The Roughnecks struggled to move the ball downfield after punting several times and fumbling the ball. They finally found some success halfway through the second quarter when P.J. Walker found Nick Holley for a 50-yard touchdown to bring the score to 14-6.
As the half was winding down, the Roughnecks found the endzone again when RB James Butler ran it into the endzone with 16 seconds left. The Roughneck were able to get the 2-point conversion and tied the game up at 14-14 going into halftime.
After halftime, the Dragons were able to get points on the board again when kicker Ernesto Lacayo drilled a 47-yard field goal to go up 17-14 on the Roughnecks. The Dragons were able to find success again when QB B.J. Daniels ran the ball into the endzone for a second time bring the score to 23-14 Dragons.
However, that would end the scoring for the Dragons, but the Roughnecks were just getting started. Roughnecks RB James Butler found the endzone again after an 8-yard rush to bring the score to 23-20. P.J. Walker was able to get the ball into the endzone after finding Cam Phillips to take the lead 26-23.
The Roughnecks were able to put the nail in the coffin when QB P.J. Walker found Cam Phillips again to bring the score to 32-23. The player of the game was once again QB P.J. Walker. Walker was 27/38 for 351-yards and 3 touchdowns.
NY Guardians 30, Dallas Renegades 12
While the first game of day was close for a while, the second game of the day wasn’t that way. The NY Guardians snapped a two-game losing streak last week, after beating the LA Wildcats, and looked to continue their winning ways against the Renegades. While the Dallas Renegades look to bounce back after getting beat by the Roughnecks last week.
The scoring started when Renegades kicker Austin MacGinnis drilled a 23-yard field goal to take the early 3-0 lead. However, that is the only lead the Renegades would all game. The Guardians kicker Matthew McCrane hit a 46-yard field goal to tie the game at 3 apiece. Matthew McCrane would take the lead for the Guardians after hitting a 39-yard field goal. The Guardians never looked back after taking the lead.
Both sides of the ball got on board the scoring train for the Guardians. QB Marquise Williams rushed the ball into the endzone from the 1-yard line. QB Luis Perez threw an 80-yard touchdown finding WR Colby Pearson to push the score to 20-6. The defense joined the scoring party when RE Ryan Mueller intercepted Phillip Nelson for a 33-yard touchdown.
The Renegades finally got on the board when Austin Walter returned a kickoff 97-yards for a touchdown. But it was too little too late for the Renegades as the Guardians win the game 20-12.
It has not been the best season for the Dallas Renegades. They thought that Landry Jones was going to be the main guy for them, but after some injuries and some struggles late in games, Jones doesn’t seem to be the answer. It will be interesting to see how the Renegades bounce back before the postseason hits.
The real test for the XFL begins real soon as March Madness begins soon. It will be interesting to see how the XFL will stack up with the big tournament and if the XFL will be able to keep its fans invested towards the end of the season.