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Football is back in St. Louis for the third straight year. The beloved Battlehawks return Friday Night at 7 p.m. on Fox in Texas against the Houston Roughnecks. But as they hit the field Friday night, the team will have new signal-callers in the quarterback position. The team decided not to bring back fan favorite, A.J. McCarron, and instead, Max Duggan, and Manny Wilkins will split time at the quarterback position. Duggan was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 2022 behind the winner Caleb Williams. During his time at Texas Christian University, he helped lead his team to victory over Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl before losing to Georgia in the national championship game. Manny Wilkins filled in for the injured A.J. McCarron last season and won a game against the D.C. Defenders.

Fan favorite and Wide Receiver Hakeem Butler, the 2024 UFL Offensive Player of the Year, is the top player returning. He finished last season with 45 catches for 652 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Denzel Mims and Frank Darby replace Marcell Ateman, Darrius Shepherd, and Steven Mitchell at the Wide Receiver position. Running back Jacob Saylors who was second leading rushing in the UFL returns with the squad. Last season, Saylors averaged 51.2 yards per game. There are 29 players back from last year’s squad. That includes 17 players entering their second season in St. Louis. There are 14 veterans back for their third season.

St. Louis Battlehawks coach Anthony Becht feels optimistic about the upcoming campaign. He will have a new offensive coordinator in Phil McGeoghan who placed Bruce Gradkowski. Former NFL players Chris Claiborne will coach the linebackers, Marc Colombo will be the offensive line coach, La’Roi Glover will coach the defensive line, and Seneca Wallace is the quarterback’s coach. Last season the team finished 7-3 and made the postseason only to lose in the XFL Conference against the San Antonio Brahmas 25-15. Their next goal is to play in the UFL Championship game which was won by the Birmingham Stallion 25-0 over the San Antonio Brahmas. “Last year we took another step forward in making the playoffs,” said Becht. “I’m excited about the experience we are adding to the continuity of our returning staff as we focus on raising the bar and pursue our goal of winning a championship this season.”