St. Louis Battlehawks quarterback Luis Perez (13) walks off the field after a United Football League playoff game on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Mo.Paul Halfacre, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

For the 3rd straight year, the Battlehawks lose at home this time to the Louisville Kings 29-20 in the UFL Semifinals from The Dome at America’s Center. Battlehawks control the time of possession by a 2-to-1 margin, 22 first downs to 11, and 75 total offensive plays compared to the Kings’ 42 plays. However, the Battlehawks only finished with 11 more offensive yards. Penalties also hurt the team, which committed 8 penalties for 83 yards against the Louisville Kings. James Robinson broke free and raced 53 yards to the end zone to score the first touchdown of the game. The Battlehawks outscored Louisville 14-0 in the second quarter and carried a 17-11 lead at halftime. But, once again, the defense, for the 3rd consecutive year, gave up too many big plays when Louisville quarterback Chandler Rogers found Isaiah Winstead, who made a defender miss, hit another gear, and turned it into a 52-yard catch-and-run. A few plays later Rogers, hit Winstead for touchdown to give Louisville an 18-17 lead.

After Battlehawk’s kicker Ramiz Ahmed hit his second of two field goal attempts to put St. Louis back on top, 20-18, the Battlehawks defense failed under pressure when Ian Wheeler scored for Louisville on a 51-yard touchdown run to put his team up for good. Kings’ kicker Tanner Brown connected on a 63-yard four-point field goal attempt to put Louisville 29-20. The Battlehawks had one last hope, but Luiz Perez, who threw 249 yards, threw the interception in the end zone with 33 seconds left of the game. Once again, the Battlehawks failed to make it to the UFL Bowl, and there will be many questions going forward. Will Luiz Perez return as quarterback next year? Will some of the main defensive linemen like Travis Frenney and Pita Taumoepenu return next season? But the most important player is wide receiver Hakeem Butler. Will he finally see himself on an NFL roster this coming season and leave his much-beloved Battlehawk fan base? There will be many changes on this roster and some uneasy decisions going forward in the 2027 season.