The Battlehawks return to “The Dome” in week 2 looking to avenge their loss against the San Antonio Brahmas in the 2024 XFL Conference Championship Game. The Battlehawks took care of business in Week 1, easily defeating the Houston Roughnecks 31-6, while the Brahmas came out flat vs the Arlington Renegades losing 33-9.
Weather: The game will be played in a dome.
Location: The Dome at America’s Center TDECU Stadium St. Louis, MO 6:30PM (ET) Kickoff April 6th, 2025 on FS1
Betting Odds Per Draftkings (April 6th):
Spread: Battlehawks -8
Moneyline: Battlehawks -380, Brahmas +300
Over/Under: 40
Depth Chart:
Injury Report:
The Battlehawks will be without 2024 OPOY WR Hakeem Butler and 2024 STPOY Chris Garrett. The Brahmas will be without DL Prince Emili, DL Garrett Nelson, DB Greedy Williams, and RB John Lovett all which were on the injury report this week.
Inactives:
The Battlehawks will activate RB Kevon Latulas, and WR Sam Wiglusz. Latulas was a 2023 XFL Draft pick from Missouri State who was a key special teams contributor after Jerome Kapp’s injury in 2024. Wiglusz is set to make his professional debut this week.
Three Keys to Victory:
The Knights of Colombo:
St. Louis dominated in the trenches putting together their best rushing performance in franchise history. Between Jarveon Howard, and Jacob Saylors the Battlehawks Running Backs totaled 213 Rushing Yards between each other and 273 total. While St. Louis still has questions through the air, the Battlehawks have an arsenal of options on the ground buoyed by a strong interior of Offensive Linemen.
Consistency Through the Air:
Manny Wilkins dazzled last week against Houston, however there was no question he still is getting comfortable with the Battlehawks arsenal of weapons. 9 of Wilkins 17 completions were to Running Backs or Tight Ends, with him hitting Jahcour Pearson on several screen passes that resulted in plenty of YAC (Yards After Catch). While Wilkins’ clear strength is his athleticism at some point he will be forced to push the ball down field. Hopefully another week in the system and practice can help him find some continuity, especially with Hakeem Butler inactive for Week 2.
Staying Dangerous:
Kellen Mond’s first performance with the Brahmas left a lot to be desired. With the Battlehawks boasting a Defensive front that consist of Carson Wells, Pita Taumoepenu, and Travis Feeney the assignment is pretty easy. Keep the pressure on! Great Defenses have great fronts, and the Battlehawks have to continue to make Mond’s adjustment to the UFL uncomfortable in an effort to come out 2-0.
Closing Thoughts and Prediction:
With the 2025 going into week Two, I do believe this is the first real test for the Battlehawks. With the apparent discomfort of Mond in Week 1 in A.J. Smith’s system, to me a stouter pass rushing group from St. Louis bodes ill for the Brahmas Offense. I don’t see another near perfect passing performance from Wilkins, but I do believe St. Louis is the better team and will win their home opener 26-15 improving to 2-0.
