On Saturday, May 24th, the 2-6 Memphis Showboats host the 3-5 Arlington Renegades. After defeating the San Antonio Brahmas, and fresh off their thrilling second overtime win, the Showboats face the Renegades following their heartbreaking 33-30 battle against the D.C. Defenders. Now the two teams meet for a Week 9 game without playoff implications, but it’s an opportunity to showcase individual talents and close out the season with another victory.
LATEST MEMPHIS ROSTER TRANSACTIONS
Earlier in the week, the Showboats waived DT DaMarcus Mitchell and injured running back Wes Hills, to sign tackle Dominic Boyd, and running back Jada Byers.
Boyd, the 6’3” 309 lb. tackle is a recent graduate of Georgia Tech. As an undrafted free agent, he had a brief stint with the Las Vegas Raiders but was waived by the team earlier this month.
A standout at Virginia Union, Byers rushed for 2,061 rushing yards with 27 touchdowns and earned the title of 2024 HBCU Player of the Year. After going undrafted this year, Byers has an opportunity to help Memphis finish out the year on a promising note.
THE MEMPHIS QUARTERBACK CAROUSEL
Starting three games this season, Dresser Winn has been the most effective of the Showboats quarterbacks. Winn completed 60 /97 passes for 638 yards with three touchdowns and one interception plus another 38 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries. However, with the playoffs out of reach, interim head coach Jim Turner has vowed to give all of his quarterbacks an equal opportunity. His goal is admirable, he wants to give all three a chance to shine and prove themselves.
This week E.J. Perry gets the start with Winn as his backup. Although Perry hasn’t seen action in several weeks, he completed 50/83 passes for 509 yards with two touchdowns earlier this season. Adding another 74 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries, Perry’s mobility is an advantage. However, his number one weakness is turnovers. In five games this season, he was intercepted five times and lost one fumble. If Perry can overcome his tendency to put the ball in the wrong hands, he can run a solid offense for the Showboats.
THE SPRING KING
Unlike the Showboats quarterback carousel, no one is questioning who will lead the Arlington offense. Picking up right where he left off a year ago as the league’s leading passer, veteran Luis Perez is second only to the Defenders’ Jordan Ta’amu.
Perez, “The Spring King” as he aptly named his autobiography, is well on his way to another 2,000-plus-yard season with a total of 1,809 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions through eight weeks. Relying more on his prolific arm strength than his rushing ability, he has another 49 yards on 10 carries this season.
On Sunday, Perez completed 32 of 46 passes for an astounding 350 yards with two touchdowns. He became the first UFL quarterback to pass for over 300 yards in a game. But sadly, what fans will remember most was Perez’s last-second unscripted throw that sailed into the hands of D.C.’s Deandre Baker. The interception cost the Renegades the game, ending their hopes for a come-from-behind victory.
THE RENEGADES OFFENSE
Although wide receiver Tyler Vaughns has come on strong recently with two touchdowns on 3 receptions for 51 yards against D.C., Perez prefers to spread the ball around. His favored receivers are TE Sal Cannella with 36 catches for 363 yards and one touchdown, Deontay Burnett with 25 receptions for 299 with two touchdowns, and Isaiah Winstead with 254 yards receiving on 26 catches.
THE MEMPHIS OFFENSE
Perry will have one of the UFL’s best-receiving corps in wide receivers Jonathan Adams, Kwamie Lassiter, 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 held to only a couple of receptions over the past few weeks and Birmingham Stallions’ Deon Cain and D.C. Defenders‘ Chris Rowland have passed him on the leaderboard.
Nonetheless, if Adams can get open, he is a huge threat. Davis, only recently returned from injury, is still looking for his first regulation catch although he posted an overtime grab a week ago.
THE ARLINGTON GROUND GAME
In addition to taking on one of the more prolific passers in the UFL, the Memphis defense will face a strong Arlington ground game. With Kalen Ballage out of the lineup due to injury, Dae Dae Hunter is the lead back. Hunter is one of the top running backs in the league with 341 rushing yards on 91 carries. Hunter has only one rushing touchdown this season, but he is also a threat through the air with 22 catches for 179 yards.
THE MEMPHIS GROUND GAME
After losing two starters, Jacob Kibodi and Wes Hills, it’s been admittedly tough to find consistency in the Memphis ground game. Deneric Prince, the number one back, is used more as a short-yardage power rusher and the Showboats are currently averaging only 3.6 yards per carry, the fewest in the league.
However, Jalen Jackson, a mid-season replacement, has come on strong in the last few weeks with 139 yards on 32 carries with one touchdown. Last week against the Brahmas, he was the lead back with 76 rushing yards on seven carries and one touchdown. A stunning 54-yard gain by Jackson set up his 12-yard rushing touchdown on the very next play.
THE ARLINGTON DEFENSE
Ajene Harris leads the Renegades defense with three interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. In addition, Harris has broken up a total of 10 passes.
The Arlington defense has been very successful at getting to the quarterback this season, recording a total of 18 sacks. Chris Odem and Willie Taylor pose the most serious threat with a total of nine sacks between them. Donald Payne has the most tackles with 52 and three PBRs.
THE MEMPHIS DEFENSE
After showing a steady improvement from week to week, DC Jarren Horton’s defense finally put it all together last week. Steele Chambers and Eli Walker continue to be among the Showboats’ leading defenders. The Memphis defense looked the best they have all season and came up with three interceptions off Brahmas quarterback Kevin Hogan, including a 43-yard Cameron Dantzler pick-six. In addition, the defense upped their sack production.
Andrew Dowell, a mid-season addition, has been on fire for the Boats hauling in an interception, 31 tackles, (15 solo) a sack, a PBR, and a forced fumble in four games. Josiah Bronson had a strong game against San Antonio and came up with the third interception.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Renegades field goal kicker, Lucas Havrisik (17/19) has been one of the more reliable kickers in the league. Matthew Coghlin continues to be successful for the Showboats, converting 13/15 with a longest of 52 yards.
The always-dangerous Isiah Hennie has been a standout for the Showboats this season. Unfortunately, Hennie has just been listed as inactive this week. His absence is a blow to the Showboats’ return game. Cornerback Jayden Price is the Renegades’ return specialist, as well as leading the team with 12 PBRs.
The action begins Saturday, May 24, at 11:00 a.m. CDT, when the Memphis Showboats host the Arlington Renegades at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. The Game will be televised on ABC and tickets are still available.
