The beer snake witnessed its first loss on Sunday as an 80-yard touchdown pass from quarterback AJ McCarron to wide receiver Hakeem Butler broke open the St. Louis Battlehawks’ 45-12 victory over the D.C. Defenders at Audi Field in Washington.
Dating to the XFL’s aborted 2020 season, D.C. had not lost a home game until Sunday. Audi Field, where the beer snake is a tradition in the end-zone bleachers, had been the scene of 10 straight victories for the Defenders – three in 2020, six in 2023 and one this season.
“Just a huge win for this team,” St. Louis coach Anthony Becht said. “All three phases played their butts off today, man. … When you can go out and play great defense, great offense and great special teams against a team that, quite frankly, has had our number.”
St. Louis scored four fourth-quarter touchdowns as the Defenders’ possessions in the final period ended with a fumble, a fourth-down failure, an interception, a fourth-down failure and a blocked punt.
After the Battlehawks defense held on a fourth-and-2 run with 9:12 remaining, McCarron connected with Butler on the longest play in the United Football League this season and the longest in franchise history to send St. Louis galloping toward its fourth win in a row by the largest margin in Battlehawks’ history.
The final score might have been even more lopsided, but after St. Louis came away with two interceptions and a blocked punt in the first quarter, the Battlehawks offense could get only field goals in the rest of the half after McCarron started the scoring with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Butler with 8:07 left in the opening period.
Consequently, St. Louis led only 17-12 at halftime.
After a strip sack of D.C. quarterback Jordan Ta’amu opened the fourth quarter, the Battlehawks needed to move only 36 yards to stretch their lead to 26-12 on running back Wayne Gallman II’s score from 1 yard out. After the 80-yard touchdown, St. Louis took possession on the D.C. 9 on linebacker Mike Rose’s interception, and running back Jacob Saylors swept into the end zone on the next snap.
On Gallman’s touchdown, St. Louis had its third offensive-line injury of the game, and with only two reserves, the Battlehawks had to cobble together their line with ailing players for the rest of the game.
“We thought we had to slide one of my tight ends down to play tackle, and we didn’t flinch,” Becht said. “Now, he flinched when I told him that.”
After Saylors’ touchdown, McCarron took a seat. Backup Manny Wilkins Jr. finished the game and got a 5-yard touchdown run with 36 seconds to play.
“It’s like pulling teeth trying to get AJ out of the game,” Becht said, “but I’m glad I get to make that decision ultimately. But he’s just such a competitor.”
The former Alabama All-American completed 14-of-24 passes for 213 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions on Sunday.
“AJ, toughing it out, man,” Becht said. “He took some big hits today. The guy’s a warrior. This is why he came back – for this game, for the goals we’re trying to reach this season.”
St. Louis is tied for the lead in the XFL Conference at 4-1 with the San Antonio Brahmas. The Battlehawks defeated San Antonio 31-24 on April 14.
St. Louis plays the visiting Houston Roughnecks at 2 p.m. CDT Saturday at the Dome at America’s Center. FOX will televise the game.
Coaches Reggie Barlow (left) of the D.C. Defenders and Anthony Becht of the St. Louis Battlehawks embrace after a United Football League game on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Audi Field in Washington.(Photo by Scott Taetsch/UFL/Getty Images)
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
Read MoreDrivers at Sunday’s Children’s of Alabama IndyCar Grand Prix probably got a shock, thanks to the unexpected appearance of a mannequin within inches of the track.
“Georgina,” a mannequin formerly attached to a bridge at Barber, came untied and fell to the ground, triggering a caution in lap 52 of the race, according to Road & Track.
“Not a real person, we need to point out right away,” announcers for the race pointed out. “This is part of the eccentric part of what populates Barber Motorsports Park.”
“You gotta be kidding me,” said one announcer.
Georgina has been a longtime fixture at the park, dangling over the course as though hanging from the bottom of the bridge.
In 2017, park creator George Barber told INDYCAR that Georgina “likes the view from bridge and she’s decided that she’s going to stay there until one of these drivers slows down enough for her to drop right down into the cockpit with him. She’s a real attractive southern lady.”
Read MorePrichard and Mobile County authorities are investigating three homicides in the last 24 hours.
WKRG is reporting that one man was killed in the 200 block of Telegraph Road a little before 10 p.m. Saturday.
This morning at about 11:30, one man was killed in the 1000 block of West Main Street.
The station also reported that Prichard mayor Jimmie Gardner confirmed a third homicide Sunday on Main Street.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Team Penske had experienced one of IndyCar’s most controversial weeks in decades. Two of its drivers’ results in the season-opening race were disallowed after it was learned alterations were made to their cars’ computer systems, and another driver was docked 10 championship points.
With the dark cloud that hung over the team, they could have slumped into the shadows this weekend at the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix in Birmingham.
But they didn’t. They barged their way right back into the spotlight.
Pole sitter Scott McLaughlin led 58 of the 90 laps including the final one to go back-to-back at the Alabama track. Teammate Will Power finished second 1.3 seconds behind, and rookie Linus Lundqvist was third, the first podium finish for the 25-year-old Swedish driver.
McLaughlin got his season back on track with the victory. Prior to the race the penalty had relegated him to last place in the championship points. He moved up 20 spots and is now ninth.
While McLaughlin and Power were cruising to a dominant victory, with five laps to go, a car spun to bring out the caution, bunching the field back together. But the drama didn’t last long as they just pulled away again.
“I knew our pace,” McLaughlin said in the post-race television interview in victory lane. “I knew we could control it.”
This post will be updated.
Read MoreSouth Alabama basketball on Sunday landed its first transfer commitment of the current cycle in Dylan Fasoyiro, a guard from Division II Daemen (N.Y.) University.
The 6-foot-6 Fasoyiro was an All-East Coast Conference selection at Daemen in 2023-24, when he averaged 17.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. He shot 41.7% from 3-point range.
Fasoyiro announced his commitment via Twitter/X:
A Houston native, Fasoyiro played his first two years of college basketball at Ashland (Ohio) University. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
South Alabama still has several scholarships available for 2024-25, having lost seniors Tyrell Jones, Isiah Gaiter, Samuel Tabe and Marshall Kearing to graduation and freshman Marcus “Smurf” Millender to the transfer portal. In addition, forward Thomas Howell elected to end his career rather than play another year of college basketball.
The Jaguars went 16-16 last season, losing in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference tournament.
Read MoreFormer Auburn cornerback Colton Hood is transferring to Colorado, where he’ll team up with his younger brother Brandon Hood, a class of 2024 running back.
The set of brothers announced their commitment to Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes in a social media post Sunday afternoon.
During his freshman campaign in 2023, Hood appeared in just four games with the Tigers and ultimately ended up redshirting, meaning he’ll arrive to Colorado with all four years of eligibility remaining.
Throughout Auburn’s spring camp, Hood was competing for one of the starting corner spots but appeared to slotted behind fifth-year senior Keionte Scott and sophomore Kayin Lee.
Now, Hood will look to find his place in Boulder, Colorado with the Buffaloes.
Prior to coming to Auburn, Hood was rated a 3-star cornerback out of Eagles Landing Christian Academy in McDonough, Georgia. Along with Auburn, Hood also held offers from Arkansas, Clemson, Duke, Florida, Kentucky, LSU, Michigan State, Ole Miss, Penn State and others.
Read MoreCatena Media provides exclusive sports betting and online gambling content in collaboration with AL.com, including picks, analysis, tools and sportsbook and online casino offers to help bettors get in on the action. Please wager responsibly.
The Clippers lost their cool and Game 3 in Dallas, and now they try to tie things up in a crucial Game 4 with the Mavericks Sunday, April 28. Meanwhile, new players at FanDuel Sportsbook can stay cool with a $150 bonus after their first bet if they register with today’s FanDuel Promo Code.
Luka Doncic and the Mavericks have had their way with the Clippers in the last two games, taking a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference first-round series. Game 3 was marred by a brief altercation between Clippers guard Russell Westbrook and Mavs big man P.J. Washington that saw both players ejected.
Game 4 tips off at 3:30 p.m. ET in Dallas with the national broadcast on ABC. You’ll want to jump on this great FanDuel offer for new players that gives a sweet $150 bonus after their first bet.
Here’s how to join the party at FanDuel:
No matter the outcome of your first wager, you’ll receive a $150 bonus from FanDuel within 72 hours of your bet settling.
The full terms and conditions of this promotion can be read by clicking any of our FanDuel links.
Dallas dominated in the paint in Game 3 and took a 13-point lead at halftime coasting to a 101-90 victory. The big story after the game was the scuffle between Westbrook and Washington as Washington stepped in to defend Doncic after he was grabbed by Westbrook.
The Clippers have started to look frustrated in this series. Star Kawhi Leonard made his return to the Clips line-up after missing the last few weeks of the regular season with a sore knee, but he only had nine points in Game 3 and is iffy for Game 4.
FanDuel has the Mavericks as 6-point favorites on the board Sunday, with the Clippers +188 on the moneyline and the total at 209.
You can also bet on the first basket scored (Doncic is +470), player point totals (Doncic a whopping 33.5 over/under) and player rebounds, assists and combos.
Dallas has covered the spread in each of the last two games. All three games in this series have hit the under.
FanDuel now has the Mavericks at -385 to win the series, with the Clippers at +290. You can also bet on the series’ correct score and the series’ exact order. The Celtics remain the favorite at +130 to win the NBA Finals.
This FanDuel offer won’t stick around for long. New players can open up their FanDuel careers with $150 in bonus bets. Avid players will find plenty of other unique FanDuel promotions to keep them winning big. Current incentives include:
Catena Media provides exclusive sports betting and online gambling content in collaboration with AL.com, including picks, analysis, tools and sportsbook and online casino offers to help bettors get in on the action. Please wager responsibly.
Dallas has taken the fight to the Clippers and are aiming for a 3-1 lead Sunday, April 28, in Game 4 of their first round series and you can land a $1,000 bonus when you use our Caesars Sportsbook promo code LABONUS1000.
After losing Game 1, the Mavericks have overpowered the Los Angeles Clippers in the next two games and taken a 2-1 series lead. Game 3 got feisty with Clippers star guard Russell Westbrook ejected after an altercation with Luka Doncic.
Westbrook will get a second chance today, just like you can get a second chance with our Caesars Sportsbook promo code LABONUS1000. It grants new players a safety net on their first bet up to $1,000 if that wager doesn’t work out.
Here’s how to join up with the Caesars Empire and collect this deal.
If your bet comes back as a loss, you will receive a bonus bet equal to the full amount you wagered up to $1,000 to try again on another Caesars market. This bet can be used on another NBA playoff game, the Stanley Cup playoffs or a long-term futures bet.
The bonus bet cannot be refunded in cash. It’s a second shot at Caesars expense, so don’t be afraid to go big on your first bet.
For full terms and conditions of this welcome offer, visit any of our Caesars Sportsbook promo code links.
The Mavericks have hit their stride in the last two games, pulling away from the Clippers. In Game 3 they had eight lob dunks and guard Kyrie Irving had 19 second half points, covering up for a subpar performance from Doncic.
Clippers standout Kawhi Leonard missed the end of the regular season with a sore knee. He has played in this series, but not looked 100 percent. His status for Game 4 is iffy.
The Mavericks are 6-point favorites in Game 4 at Caesars, with the total at 209.5 and the Clippers +185 on the moneyline. Dallas has covered in each of the last two games. Each of the first three games of this series have hit the under. In fact, nine of the last 10 meetings between these two teams have gone under.
Tipoff on ABC is 3:30 p.m. ET. Caesars also has game props and player prop markets to examine for every NBA playoff game.
Remember to take advantage of our special Caesars Sportsbook $1,000 bonus to embark on your Caesars career, but once you’re in, you’ll find Caesars has unique promotions for avid players to enjoy like:
Former Auburn wide receiver Jay Fair is heading west to USC, he announced in a social media post Sunday afternoon.
During the 2023 season, Fair hauled in 31 receptions for 324 yards and a pair of touchdowns, making him the Tigers’ third-leading pass catcher last fall.
During Auburn’s A-Day spring game, Fair was targeted five times and hauled in one pass for just six yards.
Meanwhile, many of the new faces in Auburn’s wide receiver room turned heads as guys like freshman Cam Coleman, Georgia State transfer Robert Lewis and Cal transfer Sam Jackson V all tallied multiple catches during the spring game.
And based on remarks Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze made following A-Day, it sounded like the Tigers were still going to look to add talent to the wide receiver corps.
“We’ve got a couple spots left on our roster,” Freeze said. “If you’re going to fill it, let’s fill it with D-line and receivers. I think that’s where we need to add some more depth.”
So far, while it they might’ve lost Fair, the Tigers have gone on to add Penn State transfer wide receiver KeAndre Lambert Smith, who was Penn State’s leading receiver last fall.
Read MoreThompson junior Ma’Kale Holden’s walk-off grand slam capped a dramatic series win for the Warriors over Spain Park and also capped the second week of high school baseball playoffs in Alabama.
Week 3 will include the quarterfinals in Classes 1A-7A.
Here all the final scores from this weekend.
AHSAA 2024 BASEBALL PLAYOFFS
Second-Round Results
CLASS 1A
SOUTH
South Lamar (23-9) 15-7, Elba (10-14) 3-4 (South Lamar wins series 2-0)
Sweet Water (18-13) 8-3-7, Leroy (22-14) 7-7-6 (Sweet Water wins series 2-1)
Florala (22-1) 13-5, Millry (26-7) 4-0, (Florala wins series 2-0)
Brantley (18-5) 9-6, University Charter (15-9) 6-3 (Brantley wins series 2-0)
NORTH
Coosa Christian (16-20) 3-6, Addison (16-15) 0-4 (Coosa Christian wins series 2-0)
Appalachian (24-2) 10-11, Belgreen (14-14) 2-1 (Appalachian wins series 2-0)
Hackleburg (24-7) 3-3, Lynn (16-9) 0-0 (Hackleburg wins series 2-0)
Sumiton Christian (22-4) 9-7, Athens Bible (13-14) 0-1 (Sumiton Christian wins series 2-0)
CLASS 2A
SOUTH
Pike Liberal Arts (27-5) 11-9, Cottonwood (16-15) 2-8 (Pike Liberal wins series 2-0)
Bayshore Christian (16-12) 7-5, G.W. Long (18-11) 1-4 (Bayshore Chr. wins series 2-0)
Reeltown (23-10) 4-10-5, Washington County (16-20) 7-5-3, (Reeltown wins series 2-1)
Ariton (24-8-1) 3-12-4, Wicksburg (21-6) 7-5-3 (Ariton wins series 2-1)
NORTH
Mars Hill Bible (23-9) 0-4-6, Collinsville (26-7) 3-1-5 (Mars Hill Bible wins series 2-1)
Vincent (28-4) 10-8, Fyffe (22-13) 0-7 (Vincent sweep series 2-0)
Whitesburg Christian (20-6) 12-13, Donoho (13-14) 4-0 (Whitesburg Christian wins series 2-0)
Red Bay (19-6) 7-15, North Sand Mountain (23-12) 6-0 (Red Bay wins series 2-0)
CLASS 3A
SOUTH
Thomasville (20-5) 13-4, Houston Academy (13-14) 5-3 (Thomasville wins series 2-0)
Opp (21-8) 7-7, Saint James (19-13) 4-2 (Opp wins series 2-0)
Prattville Christian (24-10) 17-9, Excel (19-11) 0-0 (Prattville Chr. wins series 2-0)
Providence Christian (21-9) 6-16-8, New Brockton (21-13) 9-3-0 (Providence Christian wins series 2-1)
NORTH
Lauderdale County (23-4) 8-9, Plainview (24-9) 0-1 (Lauderdale County wins series 2-0)
Gordo (23-8) 24-10, Susan Moore (16-10) 1-0 (Gordo wins series 2-0)
Fayette County (25-11) 12-10, Piedmont (22-13) 2-1 (Fayette County wins series 2-0)
Westbrook Christian (20-10) 2-4, Colbert County (16-16) 0-2 (Westbrook Christian wins series 2-0)
CLASS 4A
SOUTH
Bibb County (30-2) 8-12, Munford (20-9) 3-2 (Bibb County wins series 2-0)
Trinity Presbyterian (25-11) 8-8-10, Northside (16-15) 9-2-1 (Trinity Presbyterian wins series 2-1)
American Christian (23-16) 9-3, Satsuma (21-10) 0-0 (American Christian wins series 2-0)
Oak Grove (22-12) 6-0-4, Andalusia (16-12) 5-10-3, G3, 8 innings (Oak Grove wins series 2-1)
NORTH
Westminster Christian (23-7) 9-9, Brooks (14-12) 7-5, (Westminster wins series 2-0)
North Jackson (28-7) 3-18, Haleyville (17-11) 2-1 (North Jackson wins series)
Corner (27-6) 5-9, Etowah (20-14) 4-1 (Corner wins series 2-0)
Deshler (28-7) 4-5, Ashville (19-15) 1-0 (Deshler wins series 2-0)
CLASS 5A
SOUTH
Mobile Christian (20-10) 13-9, Shelby County (24-11) 2-2 (Mobile Christian wins series 2-0)
Tallassee (0-8) 5-2-6, Gulf Shores (26-12) 1-8-4 (Tallassee wins series 2-1)
Valley (24-5) 7-1-8, St. Paul’s Episcopal (23-12) 4-2-3 (Valley wins series 2-1)
Holtville (22-13) 6-0-6, Headland (16-13) 5-10-4 (Holtville wins series 2-1)
NORTH
Sardis (21-11) 11-5, Madison Academy (22-15) 1-0 (Sardis wins series 2-0)
Alexandria (26-9) 10-2, Lawrence County (18-20) 3-0 (Alexandria wins series 2-0)
Russellville (27-10) 12-2-8, Leeds (20-19) 4-6-3 (Russellville wins series 2-1)
Springville (27-9) 4-10, Southside (20-18) 2-9 (Game 1, 9 innings) (Springville wins series 2-0)
CLASS 6A
SOUTH
Baldwin County (27-9) 3-16, Hueytown (22-18) 2-0 (Baldwin County wins series 2-0)
Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (26-10) 5-6, Pike Road 24-11) 0-5 (Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa wins series 2-0)
Spanish Fort (26-10) 2-3, Saraland (26-10) 1-1 (Spanish Fort wins series 2-0)
Wetumpka (23-14) 7-4-6, Benjamin Russell (18-11) 1-12-5 (Wetumpka wins series 2-1)
NORTH
Oxford (29-9) 7-7, Buckhorn (20-14) 4-2 (Oxford wins series 2-0)
Mountain Brook (29-6) 12-5, Mortimer Jordan (20-17) 2-4 (Mountain Brook wins series 2-0)
Hartselle (28-8) 11-1-12, Pell City (19-12) 4-3-2 (Hartselle wins series 2-1)
Athens (25-12) 3-0-8, Gardendale (26-10) 2-5-0 (Athens wins series 2-1)
CLASS 7A
First-Round Results
SOUTH
Central-Phenix City (35-3) 3-7, Prattville (18-22) 1-1 (Central-Phenix City wins series 2-0)
Baker (29-6) 3-7, Daphne (15-24) 1-1 (Baker wins series 2-0)
Fairhope (28-11) 10-8, Mary Montgomery (22-12) 1-2 (Fairhope wins series 2-0)
Auburn (25-9) 3-7, Enterprise (22-12) 1-1 (Auburn wins series 2-0)
NORTH
Bob Jones (37-6) 4-4. Sparkman (27-11) 2-0 (Bob Jones wins series 2-0)
Thompson (28-10) 8-11-13, Spain Park (26-12) 17-9-12 (G3 9 innings) (Thompson wins series 2-1)
Hoover (24-16) 2-2-6, Hewitt-Trussville (27-8) 1-12-2 (Hoover wins series 2-1)
James Clemens (30-10) 7-8, Grissom (22-15) 6-6 (James Clemens wins series 2-0)
Read More