St. Louis Battlehawks running back Jarveon Howard (41), stiff-arms safety Montae Nicholson of the D.C. Defenders during Friday’s game at Audi Field in Washngton, D.C.Scott Taetsch/UFL

The St. Louis Battlehawks won their 6th straight victory on the road against the D.C. Defenders 13-8. With the rain pouring at Audi Field Friday Night, the Battlehawks’ defense held D.C. to 8 points, marking the fewest points allowed since last season when the Battlehawks defeated the Houston Roughnecks 22-8 in 2024. With the postseason matchup already set, both teams held out many of their regular starters, including their starting quarterbacks.

Brandon Silvers made his first start at quarterback for the Battlehawks and launched a 38-yard completed pass to Hakeem Butler on his first play of the game.  Then RB Jarveon Howard ran for 20 yards to the D.C. 4-yard line. Then Howard completed the drive for a one-yard touchdown to give the Battlehawks’ the lead, followed by a 1-point conversion, making it 7-0. It was the Battlehawks’ defense’s turn to help preserve, which they did by making key stops and forcing turnovers. The Battlehawks’ special teams played a role when  LB Chris Garrett blocked the kick for the team’s first blocked kick of the season.

Battlehawks’ Kicker Rodrigo Blankenship made field goals from 30 yards and 36 yards to increase the lead. D.C. scored their first points of the game when Defensive End Andre Mintze sacked quarterback Brandon Silver, giving his team 2 points. Later in the game, Seth Williams scored a 4-yard rushing touchdown. The Battlehawks’ took over the final possession of the regular season as the offense melted down the clock with a series of runs by RB Kevon Latulas for a 10-yard rush, followed by a 12-yard rush before the clock hit zero to preserve the 13-8 Battlehawks win. The two teams will meet for the XFL Conference Championship at 5 p.m. CT on Sunday, June 8, at The Dome at America’s Center.