Before the Louisville Kings and Columbus Aviators kicked off Sunday, the Kings had already locked up a playoff berth. The Birmingham Stallions' loss to the Houston Gamblers eliminated the team from postseason contention. The Kings earned the final playoff spot by having a better record than Birmingham.
Five Takeaways From The Louisville Kings / Columbus Aviators Game
However, the Aviators, who were already eliminated from the postseason, came out fighting. The two teams combined for a thrilling high-scoring battle that featured some of the best spring football this season. The game had a little something for everyone: a pick-six, precision passing, a spectacular one-handed reception, a record-shattering 61-yard field goal, an elite ground game, and even a bench-clearing brawl.
Here are five takeaways from the Kings' 42-27 victory over the Aviators.
Louisville Earned Its Playoff Berth The Hard Way
Louisville could have taken it easy on Sunday with the playoff outcome predetermined. No one would have faulted the team for resting its starters against Columbus to prepare for the playoff game against St. Louis. But instead, this team came out full strength, fighting, and eager to earn that playoff spot on their own merits to keep the momentum going. No one handed the playoff berth to this team. They earned it in a hard-fought battle, which says a lot about the character of this team and the coaching staff.
The Aviators Have Plenty To Build On for Next Season
In the media session last week, Chris Redman admitted that he expected the Aviators to be a tough adversary. Describing the Columbus team “as athletic as anybody in this league,” he acknowledged, “they’re a great rushing team... and now, they have a new quarterback who can run it in himself… he’s got an incredible arm. We’ve got our hands full.”
Redman’s description was right on the money. Although quarterback Jalen Morton's very first pass was snagged by Eric Garror for a pick-six, he came right back the next series to put the team in field goal range. On the Aviators’ 3rd series, Morton demonstrated his exceptional arm with a precision dart to Keke Chism, who was double-teamed. One play later, Morton found Chism again for a stunning 23-yard one-handed reception in the end zone.
A Thrilling Kicking Game
One of the heroes for the Aviators on Sunday was punter/field goal kicker Jonah Dalmas. Two weeks ago, the Aviators opted to have Dalmas assume responsibility for the kicking game as well as punting. Although he only made two previous field goal attempts and was 1/2 heading into Sunday’s contest, Dalmas had an exceptional night, converting 4 of 4 field goals, including a 61-yarder that set a new UFL record. His other three field goals were from 58 yards, 51 yards, and 48 yards. In addition to finding their starting quarterback, the Aviators have found their field goal kicker for next season.
Tanner Brown has been outstanding this season for the Kings, and he further cemented his reliability again on Sunday with 5 of 5 extra points. Brown finished the regular season atop the UFL kickers leader board with 76 total points. His only field goal attempt in the first quarter was negated for an offside penalty that gave Louisville an automatic first down. Chandler Rogers turned the opportunity into a 16-yard rushing touchdown, giving the Kings a 14-10 lead.
Penalties Wrecking Havoc
However, following that play, an ugly brawl broke out between the two teams that resulted in Cam Dantzler's ejection and set up Dalmas for a 61-yard field goal. The punch to running back John Lovett's helmet that led to Dantzler’s ejection shouldn’t have happened. Although he apologized on social media following the game, Dantzler, a former Minnesota Vikings cornerback, knows the potential consequences that would follow that hit. The officials were quick to flag him and rule him out for the remainder of the game. With 32 tackles, one interception, and 7 PBUs this season, Dantzler is far more valuable to the team when he's on the field than sitting out an ejection.
Elite Rushing Game
Incredibly, a team that began this season without a visible ground attack through the first few games managed to put it all together to end the season with the 4th best rushing record in the league. Led by the dynamic duo of Ian Wheeler and James Robinson, the Kings' rushing attack has transformed the once-struggling team into a powerhouse capable of putting up more points over the past six weeks than any other team in the league. With the playoff berth already in hand, Robinson was given the night off. Wheeler had one of his best games this season with 99 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries. Jaden Shirden had his best game of the season, scoring twice on 12 carries for 53 yards. Altogether, the Kings' ground game accounted for 205 yards on 32 rushes with four touchdowns.
Toa Taua was the workhorse Sunday night for the Aviators with 70 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries.
The 6-4 Louisville Kings will play their first postseason game on Sunday, June 7th, against the 6-4 St. Louis Battlehawks at The Dome at America's Center, St. Louis, MO. The action gets underway at 6:00 pm EDT, and the game will be televised on FOX.