The 5-4 Louisville Kings continue their reign and are one victory away from clinching a postseason berth. Closing out their regular season, playing the Columbus Aviators on the road, the Kings control their own destiny. A victory in Columbus punches the Kings’ ticket to the postseason.
It’s a remarkable comeback from a new expansion team that began the season 0-3. However, first the team must get past the suddenly surging Aviators, who stunned the Birmingham Stallions a week ago with a 36-29 victory
Week 10 Preview: Louisville Kings v Columbus Aviators
Already eliminated from postseason contention, the 3-6 Aviators have nothing but pride and the chance to play “spoiler” this week, on the line.
Meanwhile, Louisville has the playoff advantage over the Stallions and could "back into the playoffs" based on the outcome of two of the weekend’s earlier games. If either Houston beats Birmingham or the first-place Orlando Storm defeats the Defenders, then Louisville will get the final playoff spot based on a superior record.
The Kings prefer to control their own destiny with a win on Sunday night and earn their playoff spot outright with a 6-4 record. However, following an incredible first-time start from quarterback Jalen Morton against the Stallions, the Aviators could pose a threat to the Kings’ playoff hopes. As coach Chris Redman pointed out during his media session, the Columbus team is coming off a big win, they've found their solution at quarterback, and it's going to be quite a game.
"They're going to be playing with a lot of confidence, and they're at home... so, we're gonna go in there, and we know we're gonna have our hands full."
Here's how the two teams stack up.
Columbus Quarterback Jalen Morton
Morton proved to be a revelation in his first start for the Aviators this season, recording 309 yards of offense with four touchdowns. Named the “UFL Offensive Player of the Week,” he recorded 213 yards with three touchdowns, and led the Aviators’ ground game with 13 carries for 96 yards and one touchdown.
Early in the 4th quarter, with the Aviators down by eight points, Morton found another gear against the Stallions. Pinned far back in their own territory, he led the Aviators on a brilliant 91-yard drive that took almost 10 minutes off the clock and ended with Morton diving into the end zone for the touchdown. That series brought the Aviators within two points, 29-27. On the next play, the Aviators tied the game with a two-point conversion pass from Morton to Keke Chism. A stunning pick-six by the Aviators' defense sealed the victory for Columbus with a final score of 36-29. With one very impressive win behind him, Morton is looking to build on that performance this week.
Louisville Quarterback Chandler Rogers
Each week since he was “given the keys to the Kings franchise,” Chandler Rogers has gone from strength to strength, leading this team to victory in five of their last six games. Last week against the Dallas Renegades, he had his most complete game of the season as the Kings exploded over 450 yards of offense. Rogers finished the game with 16/21 completions for 266 yards and 2 touchdowns. In addition, he had seven carries for 21 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Rogers needs another outstanding effort again this week to put Louisville in a position to defeat the Aviators.
Columbus Offense
The Columbus offense has a strong receiving corps led by former NFL player Tay Martin, who has 40 receptions for 447 yards with two touchdowns. Antwane Wells Jr. (25 catches for 237 yards and two scores) and former Houston standout Chism (23 catches for 232 yards with two touchdowns) are also favorite targets. Michigan Panthers TE Gunnar Oakes has 94 yards on 11 catches with one score, and is another top receiving option.
Rounding out the talented receiving group are two veteran UFL running backs, former Gamblers standout Zaquandre White, who has 17 catches for 96 yards, and San Antonio Brahmas star John Lovett, with 11 receptions for 95 yards and three touchdowns.
Columbus Ground Game
Redman described the Aviators as "a great rushing team," especially with Morton's dual threat. The Columbus ground game features three strong running backs: Lovett (73 carries for 322 yards with two touchdowns), White (67 carries for 320 yards with four scores), and former Michigan Panthers favorite Toa Taua, with 52 carries for 241 yards with two touchdowns. Last week, Morton took center stage as the team’s lead rusher and scorer, with the trio accounting for a combined 16 rushes for 79 yards.
Louisville Offense
The Kings have a stacked receiver room that’s loaded with talent. UFL veteran Isaiah Winstead has been described by Coach Redman as the “leader of that locker room,” with 409 yards on 26 receptions with two touchdowns. After a relatively quiet start early in the season, Tarik Black has caught fire recently as the team’s number two receiver with 379 receiving yards. Since the end of April, he’s posted 293 yards on 21 receptions with three touchdowns. Last week against Dallas, Black recorded his best game yet with four catches for 82 yards and a score.
Lucky Jackson (28 catches for 372 yards and 2 TDs) and TE Zach Davidson round out the top group. Davidson has 234 yards on 17 catches with two scores.
Louisville Ground Game
Despite a late-season start, Louisville’s ground game only continues to improve and get stronger. The dual scoring threat of James Robinson and Ian Wheeler combined for an impressive 609 yards on 136 carries with eight scores. When you factor in Rogers' contribution on the ground, the trio accounts for over 700 yards rushing with nine touchdowns. Even though the King ground game was “late to the party” this season, Louisville ranks 3rd in the UFL with the most rushing touchdowns, after the Defenders (14), and the Aviators with 12.
Columbus Aviators Defense
The Aviators' defense took a big hit this past week with the loss of DE Kenny Willekes to IR. With 36 tackles and 4.5 sacks on the season, he was one of the Aviators' defensive standouts. After sacking Dorian Thompson-Robinson last week, Willekes went down with a serious knee injury.
Other defensive standouts for Columbus include Tony Fields II, who is one of the UFL leaders with 71 tackles (34 solo) and one sack. His 71 tackles are second only to Tae Crowder with 73. Linebacker Fred Thompkins is next for the Aviators with 46 tackles (27 solo) and 1 PBU.
The Aviators have a very strong group of cornerbacks, headed by D.J. Miller, with 24 tackles (20 solo), 3 INTs, and 9 PBUs. Miller was one of the heroes last week after putting the game away with a stunning pick-six. Smoke Monday leads the CB group with 39 tackles (16 solo), one interception, one PBU, and one forced fumble. Michael Lawson 28 (14) I INT 4 PBUs and Kedrick Whitehead can be counted on to break up the passing game with one interception and 4 PBU’s each. Whitehead leads the team with two forced fumbles.
Louisville Kings Defense
Jamie Sharper's outstanding Louisville defense is the best in the league. There is a wealth of defensive talent on this team, and multiple players should be getting NFL tryouts this summer. One player who should definitely be drawing attention is OLB Cam Gill, who leads the league with the most individual sacks. Last week, in a thrilling two-sack performance, Gill recorded his ninth and tenth sacks.
Jaheim Thomas leads the team with 58 tackles (38 solo) and two pass defenses. Thomas added half a sack last week. Nick Kubitz has 45 tackles (22 solo), 1.5 sacks, and 2 PBU’s. Safety Keaton Ellis is next with 44 tackles (30 solo), one interception, and two PBU’s.
Louisville’s cornerbacks have been terrific this season. Cam Dantzler leads the team with 7 PBU’s, along with 31 tackles (23 solo) and an interception. CB Corey Mayfield Jr. has been making the big plays and leading the team with 4 INTs, 6 PBUs, 1 FF, and FR. Eric Garror has 26 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 4 PBUs, and a forced fumble. Mekhi Garner has been quietly efficient, piling up 41 tackles (27 solo), one interception, and breaking up three passes.
As a unit this season, Louisville boasts the most team tackles (549), the most interceptions (12), and ranks second in the league with 22.0 sacks.
Louisville Kings Special Teams
Named the “Special Teams Player of the Week” for the second consecutive week and the third time this season, Tanner Brown had another perfect outing, kicking 3-of-3 field goals, including a 54-yarder plus two extra points. Other Louisville special teams standout talents include return specialist Tyler Hudson, who electrified the crowd two weeks ago with an explosive 92-yard kickoff return, and Jaden Shirden, who leads the team with 13 returns for 327 yards, with a 39-yarder as his longest. WR Lucky Jackson handles the punt return duties for the Kings and has 9 returns for 107 yards.
The Aviators have struggled on special teams and released former kicker Ryan Coe after Week 7, with punter Jonah Dalmas assuming the field goal duties. Dalmas converted 1/2 kicks for 48 yards.
The action gets underway this weekend on Sunday, May 31st, at 6:00 PM EDT at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus. The game will be televised on FOX.
It’s expected to be a high-scoring game with the over/under set at 46.5 points. The Kings are currently listed as -2.5 point favorites.