By: Trey Colbeck
The Stallions inch closer to clinching a playoff spot after a big comeback win against the conference rival Houston Roughnecks. According to my calculations, a Stallions win or a Roughnecks loss in Week 8 would solidify their place in the postseason. The late-season battle will be for top spot, as both Birmingham and Michigan are tied at 5-2. Birmingham is currently leading that season series 1-0. They meet again in Week 9, but a lot of things could change before we get there.
Recap
First Half
Both teams showed up early and scored on their respective opening drives. Houston would go 10 plays for 60 yards to open up the scoring. After eating up almost six minutes off the clock, they would finally punch it in with a nine-yard rush by Zaquandre White. The extra point conversion was no good. The Stallions would charge back with their 11-play, 65-yard drive. They were able to chew up 6:44 off the clock and finished the drive with a nine-yard rushing touchdown of their own by C.J. Marable.
The game wouldn’t sit at 6-6 for a long time as Houston responded with a two-play, 65-yard drive capped off with a 52-yard run by White. The Stallions would try to set up another drive, but it wouldn’t end well with no time left on the clock in the first quarter. Cookus throws an interception to Damon Annette, who runs it back for a 51-yard touchdown. The first quarter would end with the score 18-6 in favor of the Roughnecks.
The Stallions punted it on their next possession, and the Roughnecks pieced together another long drive. Jalen McClennon found Keke Chism for an 11-yard pass to add six more. McClennon ran it in to add the extra point to make the score 25-6. The teams traded possessions before the Stallions found another opportunity to score. With only three seconds left in the half, Sternberger was on the receiving end of a TD pass from Cookus. This made the score 25-12 heading into the half.
Second Half
The script for the second half had completely swapped. Birmingham would start the half with a solid five-play drive that ended in a 41-yard Mevis Harrison field goal. Houston’s offense would completely disappear, and the Stallions would add another field goal later in the third quarter. It would be a one-score game heading into the fourth quarter.
Harrison would add a 52-yard field goal in the fourth to cut the lead to four. Houston’s offense was completely nonexistent, and the Stallions would get the ball back. They would march the field for a total of 75 yards and take the lead with a goal-line rush by J’Mar Smith. Things would continue to go bad for Houston as they fumbled the ball on the kickoff, setting up Birmingham to add more points, making the game out of reach. Ricky Person Jr. put the exclamation mark on the game with a two-yard rumble, making the 33-25 Stallions, which would be final score.
Stud of the Game
Mevis Harrison was a huge factor in the Stallions’ being in any position to win this game. On three straight drives in the second half, he was able to add points even when the drive stalled. The nine points he added were huge and especially when the third field goal went from 52 yards out! Give this guy some extra oats and hay because he is the STUD!
Donkey of the Game
25-12 was the score at halftime, and it was not looking good for the Stallions. Fortunately for Birmingham, the Houston offense decided to go for a long smoke break in the second half and was nowhere to be seen. Four drives ended in punts, and one was a turnover on downs. The offense completely disappeared, and that’s why everyone associated with Houston’s offence deserves this week’s Donkey of the Game. I’ll give some points to the Stallion’s defense, who are usually stingy, but the Roughnecks had it figured out in the second half. Shame on Houston’s coaching staff for not making proper adjustments.
Injury Update
Sounds like J’Mar Smith is starting for the Stallions because Cookus or Andrew Peasley aren’t fully healthy.
Power Rankings
- D.C. Defenders (-)
- Michigan Panthers (-)
- Birmingham Stallions (-)
- St. Louis Battlehawks (-)
- Arlington Renegades (-)
- Houston Roughnecks (-)
- Memphis Showboats (-)
- San Antonio Brahmas (-)
Up Next
A big cross-conference match-up is brewing in Week 8 as the 5-2 Stallions go into St. Louis to face the 5-2 Battlehawks. St. Louis is coming off a 19-9 win on the road against a struggling Memphis. They are also sitting on a three-game winning streak, which has helped put them in a top spot in the XFL Conference. Also, St. Louis is currently undefeated against teams in the USFL Conference and will be looking for the clean sweep this weekend. Kick off is scheduled for noon CDT on Saturday, May 17th. The game will be aired on FOX.
