ST. LOUIS — Kaw was almost “the law” Sunday night as the St. Louis Battlehawks lost the XFL Conference Championship against the San Antonio Brahmas.
Approximately 30,000 fans attended the game at the Dome at America’s Center where some were upset by the loss.
“I’m so disappointed,” one fan told Spectrum News. “I will not renew my season tickets.”
The Battlehawks trailed by 10 points, 13-3, during the first half of the game.
After attempting to make a comeback in the second half, the Battlehawks lost by 10 points, with the final score 25-15.
As some Battlehawks fans went home discouraged, others will continue to support the team.
“A.J. (McCarron) has meant everything to us since (his) Alabama days. We’ve been part of his crew for years,” one fan told Spectrum News.
“St. Louis is amazing. We’ll be here following A.J. no matter what.”
Battlehawks players spoke to the press about the game, what this past season has meant to them and a message to the fans.
“To all the fans in St. Louis, thank you guys so much for showing up every week and supporting us,” said Pita Taumoepenu, Battlehawks linebacker.
“We feel so special. This is a special place to be a part of. I'll always feel grateful and thank you guys so much."
St. Louis Battlehawks head coach Anthony Becht congratulated the San Antonio Brahmas and thanked the players, the coach staffing and the fans.
“I’m sick that we couldn’t get this for our players and my coaches and our fans,” he said during a press conference after the game.
“When I look at the game, there was a little lack of focus to start the game. And that lies on me at the end of day.”
This is Becht’s second year as head coach for the Battlehawks.
“I do love my players. They fought hard,” he said.
“At the end of day, we had a chance to win this game in the second half. And I love their fight. I love their toughness, we just didn’t play four quarters.”
Becht added that San Antonio did a great job.
“They had a good plan today. They executed on offense and defense,” he said. “The best team ultimately wins because of the three phases they play. And they played better than us today.”
Head coach for the San Antonio Brahmas, Wade Phillips, said the team was mentally and physically prepared heading into the conference.
“This is a big accomplishment,” he said, patting the trophy. “I want the guys to enjoy it.”
San Antonio Brahmas fans said Sunday’s win “means everything.”
“We came from the bottom. Everybody had us at the bottom this year. Nobody believed in us, but we did,” one fan told Spectrum News.
Another fan said, “The championship runs through us because the team we’re going to play already lost to us.”
What’s next
League officials were candid when they awarded the UFL championship game to St. Louis. They wanted the Battlehawks in it, taking advantage of the league’s showcase by showing off its most rabid fanbase. Instead, the league gets its best two teams playing 500 (Birmingham) and 900 (San Antonio) miles away from home on Father’s Day.
As for the Battlehawks, Head Coach Anthony Becht has talked like someone expecting to be back in 2025. For now, he prefers the spring league schedule that allows him to watch his son Rocco, an Iowa State quarterback, in the fall on Saturdays and contribute to NFL broadcast work with the Jets.
Last year, the Battlehawks led the XFL with 16 players who earned NFL opportunities last summer and fall. Due to the UFL’s schedule, which was delayed by a few weeks because of the XFL-USFL merger, NFL teams have already had their offseason training camps where players could have auditioned. But Becht has said he expects at least that many players, if not more, to get NFL looks when preseason camps open next month.
The team’s wide receiver room could take a big hit, with Hakeem Butler, Marcell Ateman and Darius Shepherd all expected to garner attention.
Quarterback A.J. McCarron told reporters last night he’ll likely need surgery to repair the ankle he re-injured Sunday. After last season, McCarron did not jump at training camp opportunities and instead signed with the Cincinnati Bengals late in the season. He requested his release to return to the UFL.
He sees a future with the UFL, either as a player or as a coach he reiterated in emotional comments after Sunday’s loss.
“I care a lot about this league….I don’t need the money but I think being able to show the guys how to do it right, how to be a pro….I want to be a part of this league, I still think I can play at a high level,” he said
“I love being a part of this league, I love helping this league grow, I think it has a great opportunity because every professional sport has some sort of minor league except the NFL.”