The Battlehawks returned back to the Dome after being on the road for the past three weeks to take on the Columbus Aviators.
Both teams were coming off of week six wins and looked to keep it going with the looming playoff ambitions looming. The Battlehawks invited some legendary players from the “Greatest Show on Turf” St. Louis Rams as well as their head coach Dick Vermeil. All this as well as a special bobblehead night for head coach Ricky Proehl.
The game was highly anticipated as it was the first start for the “spring king” Luis Perez in Battlehawk blue. The people of St. Louis were expecting a lot from him and he delivered as in the first quarter he would put the first points on the board with a QB sneak. He would follow this up as with only 14 seconds left in the first quarter, he would float a beautiful 14-yard pass to Steven McBride in the corner of the end zone to make the Battlehawks have a 14-0 lead.
Columbus finally responded a couple of minutes into the second quarter when Jalan McClendon rushed for 15 yards and lessening the damage to at least a one-score difference. This would be the only scores that Columbus could capitalize on as the Battlehawks would get a 30-yard field goal as well as a 14-yard rushing touchdown from Kylin James.
The last big play to round out the half came from Columbus, but was gift-wrapped for St. Louis as McClendon would be intercepted with only 1:15 left in the half by Jordan Mosley, closing out a dominant first half and leading at the break 24-7.
The second half opened up with the Battlehawks receiving the ball and hoping to pile on the scoring. Unfortunately, it would lead to the first bad play from QB Luis Perez as he would throw an interception to D.J. Miller Jr. only 42 seconds into the third quarter. Columbus would capitalize off of St. Louis’s mistakes as they drove the ball down the field and had McClendon throw a 13-yard pass to Tae Martin for an Aviators touchdown.
St. Louis would retaliate on the next drive as James would have another rushing touchdown for 18-yards and would make the last score till the fourth quarter. That score would be Columbus’s last-ditch effort to equalize the game and to possibly mount a comeback as McClendon would make an 11-yard pass to Keke Chism with 7:16 left in the fourth.
The game would end with the final score 31-20, with the Battlehawks improving to 5-2 on the season and are only one win away from securing a playoff berth. The true thing that beat the Aviators, though were the penalties, as Columbus was whistled for 14 penalties for 115 yards.
Coach Ginn of the Aviators was asked about Columbus’s kick return game which struggled mightily throughout the game.
“For sure, can’t be starting off on the three-yard line. You know its part of this game and it’s part of the phase of this game and we got to take a little bit more pride into it.” Ginn said.
Coach Ginn was also asked why he decided to kick an extra point while down 11 in the fourth instead of going for a conversion.
“Well, you know, its coaching. Theres no real explanation for that. We are just playing ball. I could’ve made a better decision as a coach. You know we missed the extra point and the rest is history.” Ginn said.
Coach Proehl and Perez acknowledged the win and how great it is, but also how ineffective they were in the fourth quarter. Perez said that they are better than that and need to be able to close out stronger than what they showed there.
Perez was asked what is was finally like to play for a fanbase that spent past seasons booing him but now here in 2026 are cheering for him instead.
“It’s awesome, I mean the best fan base in spring football, right? I’m just glad they are cheering for me now instead of against me.” Perez said.
With recent news that the Battlehawks were the named the official professional football team of Missouri, coach Proehl was asked his opinion on the recent development.
“I didn’t really know about that so I didn’t really have any feelings, but I’m humbled and honored just to be these guys head coach. I mean I got some great kids in that locker room and to be a head coach for a professional spring league for the city of St. Louis is an honor.” Proehl said.
The Battlehawks get a long break as their next game is on May 16 at 2 p.m. at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri as well as the ABC Network, as the Battlehawks host the Houston Gamblers.
