The San Antonio Brahmas claimed its spot in the XFL conference championship game in a 20-15 victory over the Arlington Renegades Sunday afternoon at the Alamodome.
“Important win for us, put us in the playoffs, our guys knew that going into the game,” coach Wade Phillips said. “Our first goal was to get into the playoffs; our next goal is to win our division.”
The Brahmas (6-2) wasted no time to get points on the board. On their opening drive, quarterback Quinten Dormady checked down to running back Anthony McFarland Jr., seeing his first action in five weeks capitalize on the wide open field for a huge 52-yard touchdown.
“I like being around the team environment and everything that has to do with football,” McFarland Jr. said. “It’s just a good feeling to be back.”
Dormady found receiver K.D. Cannon for a big 32-yard reception to bring the Brahmas into Renegades (1-7) territory. Two plays later, tight end Cody Latimer brought San Antonio into Arlington’s red zone with a 25-yard reception. Kicker Ryan Santoso 21-yard field goal, gave the Brahmas an early 10-0 lead.
Furthering his on-field presence, McFarland Jr. on a big 14-yard gain along with fellow running back John Lovett with his own ten yard rush set up Santoso for the second time, this time from 26 yards out to further extend the Brahmas growing lead 13-0. Renegades quarterback Luis Perez connected with receiver Tyler Vaughns for a 39-yard reception to bring Arlington into the red zone but were forced to settle for a 33-yard field goal.
After a big 45-yard kickoff return by receiver Pooka Williams Jr., set the Brahmas on the Renegades 46-yard line. Two plays later, Dormady found McFarland Jr. again, this time down the middle for a 37-yard catch and run touchdown to extend the Brahmas lead 20-3.
To open the second half, the Renegades finally reached the end zone. Perez connected with tight end Sal Cannella for the 14-yard score. Late in the third quarter, Dormady found Latimer in traffic for a ten yard touchdown but an offensive pass interference call and a failed super challenge made the Brahmas settle for a field goal, but Santoso missed his 48-yard attempt.
“I still think Dean [Blandino] ruled it wrong,” Phillps said. “We still won the game but it would’ve been out of sight by then.”
On another large 29-yard gain by McFarland Jr. and an unnecessary roughness penalty by the Renegades, placed the Brahmas in ample field position but a dropped pass intended for McFarland Jr. trotted the kicking unit out once again for another field goal attempt. From 38 yards, Santoso missed his second kick of the afternoon to maintain the Brahmas 20-9 lead late in the fourth.
A pair of long completions put the Renegades back in the red zone, Perez’s pass to receiver JaVonta Payton for a five yard touchdown closed the deficit 20-15. Arlington elected to go for the fourth-and-12 conversion to maintain possession, but a sack by defensive tackle Prince Emili ended the Renegades hopes of a potential comeback.
After struggling the past two games, Dormady had a resurgence, ending the afternoon with 320 yards on 17 for 25 attempts for two touchdowns. Coming back from injury, McFarland Jr. made up for his time out finishing with 118 yards in the air on five targets for two touchdowns
“It’s awesome, we needed it as a team and I needed it coming off the last couple of weeks struggling at times,” Dormady said. “Guys stepped up and made plays, [Anthony] coming back was huge; added another weapon on the field.”
The San Antonio Brahmas will face the undefeated Birmingham Stallions 3 p.m. Saturday at the Alamodome.
