FSM Essential Recap: Vipers vs Battlehawks - XFL Week 6

FSM Essential Recap: Vipers vs Battlehawks – XFL Week 6

Vegas Vipers (1-5) | St. Louis Battlehawks (4-2)

Franchise Sports Media

 

The Vegas Vipers hosted the St. Louis Battlehawks at the Snake Pit. In a sloppy game, the Fang Gang lost 29-6 to the Battlehawks.

The Vipers vs Battlehawks played a Week 6 game at Cashman Field in Las Vegas. 

Week 6 of the XFL regular season saw a matchup on Saturday in the Snake Pit at Cashman Field in North Las Vegas. The Vegas Vipers hosted the St. Louis Battlehawks in a matchup with both teams looking to find consistency and gain momentum as the XFL season enters its homestretch.

In Week 5, the Battlehawks lost to the D.C. Defenders, even though they attempted to mount a game-winning drive in the waning seconds, something they have been successful at twice this season.

The question for St. Louis was, which Battlehawks team would show up? They’ve been hot and cold on both sides of the ball all season. At this point in the season, they find themselves two games behind the Defenders in the standings and think they should be higher. St. Louis needed to stop the costly turnovers and be more consistent in all four quarters, something they haven’t done all season.

The Vipers finally got a win under their belts in Week 5 against Orlando and were looking to build momentum and start a winning streak.

The Vipers had a balanced offensive attack versus the Guardians, rushing for 123 yards, with Rod Smith getting 62 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Luis Perez passed for a respectable 269 yards and three touchdowns. The defense also did its part with four sacks and seven tackles for a loss, keeping Orlando at bay at critical moments in the game. Vegas would need the same performance or better this week against St. Louis.

Something had to give on Saturday evening at Cashman Field. Could St. Louis put together a complete game? Or would Vegas build off of last week’s performance?

It was time for the Vipers vs Battlehawks to kick off.

First Half

The Vipers vs Battlehawks start of the first half. 

Both team’s offenses struggled early in the game, going four straight drives without scoring. At the start of the second quarter, Battlehawks QB A.J. McCarron’s 4-yard passing touchdown to Gary Jennings would put St. Louis on the board. After the score, McCarron would connect with Darrius Shepherd for a successful two-point conversion giving them an early 8-0 lead.

DeAndre Torrey made some nice plays for the Vipers, but it wasn’t enough to result in a score. Vegas had to punt again as the momentum swung to St. Louis.

With just two minutes remaining in the first half, the Battlehawks marched all the way down the field after starting a drive on their own two-yard line. Austin Proehl made an incredible catch on the sidelines, putting the team in scoring position. However, St. Louis settled for a Donny Hageman 40-yard field goal, extending their lead 11-0. Shortly after that, St. Louis would force Vegas to a three-and-out and got the ball back with 55 seconds remaining. Three plays later, McCarron dialed up a deep ball to Darrius Shepherd for a 30-yard touchdown pass.

The Vipers vs Guardians end of the first half. 

Second Half

The Vipers vs Battlehawks start of the second half. 

Vegas would open the second half looking to answer back, but Luis Perez would throw an interception to St. Louis’ Lavert Hill, and he returned it to Vipers territory. About four minutes later, St. Louis would capitalize on the turnover when Kareem Walker bulldozed his way in for a one-yard score extending their lead to 23-0. Late in the third quarter Vegas would make a quarterback change putting in Brett Hundley.

The Vipers would finally get on the board when Hundley threw a short pass to John Lovett, and he took it the rest of the way en route to a 17-yard passing touchdown, cutting the deficit to 23-6 with six minutes remaining. But, just when Vegas seemed to find some life, the Battlehawks answered back on the ensuing drive going 51 yards on five plays, capping it off with Shepherd on the receiving end of a six-yard touchdown pass, sealing the win for St. Louis, 29-6.

With this win, the Battlehawks improve to 4-2 and look to continue their winning ways, while the Vipers fall to 1-5 and will need to regroup if they hope to try and turn their season around. Battlehawks’ QB A.J. McCarron led the offense with 236 yards passing and three touchdowns. Darrius Shepherd was McCarron’s favorite target, hauling in 7 catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns, and Lavert Hill hauled in 2 interceptions for the defense against the Vipers. Vegas’ Brett Hundley struggled, completing only 9 of 18 passes for 120 yards and one touchdown, while Luis Perez threw two interceptions.

The Vipers vs Battlehawks’ final score was 29-6, St. Louis. 

Takeaways

Here are some Vipers vs Battlehawks’ final thoughts. 

The Vipers’ offense once again struggled. It’s been tough for them to find consistency all season. While both Perez and Hundley have, at times, shown flashes, neither of them has established themself as the starter, which hurts the offense. For the offense to get going, one of the two quarterbacks must take over as “the man.”

Unlike Vegas, St. Louis knows who their QB is. AJ McCarron was sensational, dropping dimes and completing passes all over the field Saturday.

The St. Louis defense played a huge role in the victory, tallying four sacks and six tackles for loss, along with the two interceptions by Hill. The Vipers’ defense managed three sacks and five tackles for loss but could not force any turnovers. As a result, this loss fell on the Vegas offense.

Franchise Sports Media has something special for Vipers fans!

WE HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR VIPERS FANS THIS WEEK! 

 

Get free tickets to next week’s Vipers game from Franchise Sports Media, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Vipers!

We’re giving away over 2500 FREE tickets to the Vipers’ final home game at Cashman Field on April 1st. Families, small businesses, and football fans of all ages are invited to witness the XFL up close and personal.

After you follow the three Instagram handles @fcavegas, @thefranchiselv, and @xflvipers, comment using the hashtag #RallytheValley, so we know who you are! Then click the #linkinbio, sign up, and enter the promo code.

ENTER THE PROMO CODE: COMMUNITY5

Your tickets will be emailed to the address you enter.

Next Saturday, the Vipers host the San Antonio Brahmas at Cashman Field.

The Vegas Vipers will be back in action next Saturday when they take on the San Antonio Brahmas at Cashman Field. Kick-off is at 12 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN2. For tickets, tap here.

 

         

-Joe Arrigo – Franchise Sports Media

Follow Joe on Twitter & Instagram at @JoeArrigoFSM

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