The St. Louis Battlehawks (6-2, 4-0 XFL) clinched a spot in the XFL Conference Championship game with an exciting 26-21 victory over the D.C. Defenders (3-5, 2-3 XFL) on Sunday afternoon in front of 32,403 fans at The Dome at America’s Center.

Running Back Heroics
The hero for St. Louis was running back Wayne Gallman II, who scored the game-winning touchdown on a 1-yard rush with just 2 minutes remaining. Gallman powered the Battlehawks’ final drive, accounting for all 44 yards including a 38-yard catch that was the longest play of the game. He finished with a game-high 80 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.

Defensive Playmakers
On the defensive side, safeties Kameron Kelly and Qwynnterrio Cole each had a key interception of D.C. quarterback Jordan Ta’amu. Kelly’s pick came with 10 seconds left in the first quarter and Cole’s was on the first play of the fourth quarter, setting up a go-ahead field goal.

Offensive Fireworks
The offenses traded scores throughout an back-and-forth affair. D.C. struck first on a 48-yard Matthew McCrane field goal. St. Louis answered with Jacob Saylors’ 2-yard TD run to take a 9-3 lead.

After halftime, Ta’amu threw touchdown strikes of 30 yards to Alex Ellis and 17 yards to Ty Scott as the lead seesawed. But Gallman’s late score proved the difference.

Stats Leaders
For the Defenders, Ta’amu went 23/40 for 196 yards, 2 TDs and 2 INTs while Scott had 6 catches for 69 yards and a score. Darius Hagans led D.C. in rushing with 37 yards.

In addition to Gallman’s big day, Saylors scored his team-leading 5th rushing TD for the Battlehawks.

Looking Ahead
St. Louis (6-2) will play their final road game of the regular season in Week 9 when they face the Arlington Renegades at 11am CT on Saturday, May 25th in Arlington, Texas live on ABC and ESPN Xtra.

The Defenders (3-5) will also play their final road game next Sunday, May 26th at 2:30pm ET against the Memphis Showboats on FOX from Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.