On Sunday, June 1st, the 2-7 Memphis Showboats close out their season hosting the playoff-bound 6-3 Birmingham Stallions. Both teams enter this game looking for a victory but with dramatically different perspectives.
When these two teams met previously in Week 5, the Showboats came away with their first win. It was a hard-fought, triumphant 24-20 overtime victory. Now, the Showboats are hoping to close out their season with one more win and sweep the reigning champs.
Meanwhile, the Stallions are looking to keep the winning momentum going ahead of their upcoming playoff game next week against the Michigan Panthers. There’s also the opportunity to avenge the Stallions’ earlier loss.
UPDATED MEMPHIS INJURY REPORT
Following a death in the family, TE Chris Pierce is out this week. Two other players in danger of missing the game due to injuries are WR Kwamie Lassiter (left knee) and CB Nehemiah Shelton (hamstring). Neither practiced this week.
UPDATED BIRMINGHAM INJURY REPORT
Presumably due to injury, long snapper William Mote has been released and replaced by Gage King.
THE QUARTERBACK CAROUSEL -MEMPHIS
After starting three games mid-season with a 1-2 record, quarterback Dresser Winn is getting the start this week. Winn has been the most effective of the Showboats’ quarterbacks, completing 60/97 passes for 638 yards with three touchdowns and one interception plus another 38 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries.
In speaking to the media this week, interim head coach Jim Turner explained that because of the chaotic start to the season with the coaching changes, it was difficult to establish any consistency at quarterback. He felt it was important to give each man a fair shot at earning the role. However, in retrospect, it may have wound up costing the team games they might otherwise have won.
THE QUARTERBACK CAROUSEL -BIRMINGHAM
The Stallions experienced their own quarterback carousel this season due to an alarming number of injuries at quarterback. Birmingham is expected to start J’Mar Smith, their fourth quarterback of the season. Smith re-joined the team three weeks ago, following injuries to starters Alex McGough, Matt Corral, and Case Cookus. Earning a 2-1 record, he posted 631 yards on 39 passes with five touchdowns and one interception. Smith gained another 88 yards on 21 carries with one touchdown.
Last week was Smith’s best game, earning him an Honorable Mention as UFL News Hub Player of the Week. He completed 22-of-31 passes for 307 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He added another 30 yards on seven carries. Smith’s only potential weakness this season has been committing three fumbles, only one of which resulted in a turnover.
THE QUARTERBACK WHISPERER After cycling through five different quarterbacks in nine games, coach Skip Holtz has re-affirmed his reputation as the “quarterback whisperer.” Despite the mounting injuries, Holtz has succeeded in getting terrific performances out of each of his quarterbacks. The fact that the Stallions are once again headed to the playoffs despite the revolving door at quarterback is a sign of a strong and resilient team.
THE STALLIONS OFFENSE
Deon Cain is currently one of the UFL’s leading receivers with 27 catches for 491 yards with six touchdowns. His longest score was a 65-yard reception from Smith two weeks ago. In addition to Cain, Smith has a solid group consisting of wide receivers Cade Johnson (13 catches for 268 yards with two scores) Marlon Williams (15 catches for 196 yards with one touchdown), and Davion Davis (22 catches for 194 yards with one touchdown). Veteran tight end Jace Sternberger has six receptions for 196 yards with two touchdowns.
THE STALLIONS GROUND GAME
The Birmingham ground game has been productive this season behind UFL veteran running backs C.J. Marable and Ricky Person. After a strong season from both a year ago, they had brief NFL stints during the pre-season. Person is the lead back with three touchdowns on 67 carries for 275 yards. He added seven catches for another 35 yards. After missing Week 9 with an elbow injury, Person has been spotted back at practice this week. Marable has 78 carries for 240 yards with one touchdown. He recorded 70 yards on 12 receptions with one additional score.
THE SHOWBOATS OFFENSE
OC Noel Mazzone has a talented receiving group, but a lack of offense last week against the Renegades cost them the game. Hopefully, this week will be a different story. Winn has a strong receivers unit with Jonathan Adams, Kai Locksley,(eight receptions for 125 yards), and former All-UFL Team wide receiver Daewood Davis. Adams led the league in receiving yards for the first seven weeks of the season. Unfortunately, he’s been silenced over the past several weeks. In addition, Isiah Washington has 13 receptions for 144 yards. TE Jay Jay Wilson has 5 catches for 34 yards with one touchdown.
THE MEMPHIS GROUND GAME It’s been admittedly tough to find consistency in the Memphis ground game after the loss of Jacob Kibodi and Wes Hills. Deneric Prince has 97 carries for 341 yards with one touchdown. He recorded 16 catches for 101 yards.
Jalen Jackson, a mid-season replacement, has come on strong in the last few weeks with 158 yards on 38 carries with two touchdowns. Jackson added another 29 yards on four catches.
THE BIRMINGHAM DEFENSE Stallions veteran defensive star Kyahva Tezino leads the team in tackles with 49 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a PBR. Other top defensive players for the Stallions include cornerback Steven Gilmore with 39 tackles, one interception, and 10 pass deflections. DE’s Bradlee Anae leads the team with 4.0 sacks. DE Ronnie Perkins is right behind with 3.5 sacks.
THE MEMPHIS DEFENSE DC Jarren Horton has done a great job this season establishing a cohesive team defense. Steele Chambers and Eli Walker have led the team throughout the season. Chambers has 68 tackles and two pass deflections. Walker has 52 tackles, one interception, and two PBRs. Andrew Dowell has been terrific as a late-season replacement, picking up 37 tackles, 1.0 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, and a PBR.
One area where the team struggled early on but has shown improvement of late is in sacks. Izayah Green-May, Boogie Roberts, and DeVere Levelston each have two sacks while Jaylon Allen has 1.5.
Allen is also the Showboats’ nominee for the 2025 UFL Sportsman of the Year Award, given to the athlete who most exemplifies a passion for giving back to his community. Originally from Texas, Allen has shown a tremendous commitment to the children of Memphis through his volunteer work and as a familiar presence at local youth events. Allen’s desire to give back and provide Memphis’ youngest residents with a dedicated and positive role model is truly inspiring.
The action begins on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. CDT at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. It will be televised on FOX and tickets are still available.
