Battlehawks Seek Revenge, Gamblers Fight to Stay Alive
by Ethan Berch
ARLINGTON, TX – May 20, 2026 – The Gamblers drew a pair of aces in the Battledome last week and walked away with a jackpot. Houston became the first team in the UFL to beat the Battlehawks at home and now welcomes St. Louis south for a massive Week Nine rematch.
The Battlehawks enter the weekend with multiple playoff-clinching scenarios, while the Gamblers desperately need another victory, and help, to keep their June football hopes alive.
Storylines to watch:
St. Louis Battlehawks
The Battlehawks had an opportunity to clinch a postseason spot in Week Eight, but failed to capitalize in a stunning home loss to Houston. It marked St. Louis’ first loss at home this season and silenced the Battledome crowd.
For the Battlehawks to clinch this week, they need a win plus one of the following scenarios: Orlando defeats DC, Columbus beats Birmingham, or Dallas defeats Louisville.
The offense ultimately let St. Louis down in last week’s defeat and will look to rebound quickly in Houston. The Battlehawks totaled 365 yards of offense, but managed just 15 points.
They finished only 2-for-11 on third down and 1-for-6 in the red zone, while also turning the ball over twice on Luis Perez interceptions. Perez threw for 338 yards, but finished with a 64.8 quarterback rating. If Perez is more efficient this week, the Battlehawks will once again put themselves in position to win.
Perez targeted Hakeem Butler seven times in Week Eight, but connected with him only three times. Meanwhile, Steven McBride continued his dominant season with eight catches for 116 yards, once again proving how dangerous he is at every level of the field.
Still, getting the football to Butler cannot just be a focus, it has to be a priority. Butler ranks second in the UFL with 508 receiving yards and leads the league with a staggering 23 yards per reception. One play can completely flip the momentum of a game when Butler gets involved.
The Battlehawks defense remains the team’s greatest strength. St. Louis leads the UFL by allowing just 241 yards of offense per game and has held opponents to only 33 percent on third down and 25 percent on fourth down.
Even in last week’s loss, the Battlehawks held Houston to just 200 total yards. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Pita Taumoepenu once again led the charge with a two-sack performance. Taumoepenu has caught fire in recent weeks and is now tied for the UFL lead with nine tackles for loss. Another dominant performance in Houston could further strengthen his case for Defensive Player of the Year honors once again.
The formula for St. Louis is clear: rely on its elite defense and hope Perez finds a rhythm offensively in a revenge matchup with major playoff implications.
Houston Gamblers
With their season hanging in the balance, the Gamblers delivered one of the biggest upsets of the UFL season and kept their playoff hopes alive. The path remains narrow, but another victory this week is absolutely critical.
For the second straight week, head coach Kevin Sumlin rolled with Hunter Dekkers at quarterback, and the move paid off. Dekkers played an efficient game, throwing two touchdown passes and finishing with a 99.6 quarterback rating.
John Rhys Plumlee also remains an option heading into Week Nine. The dual-threat quarterback, who joined Houston just weeks ago, was sidelined in Week Eight but still gives the Gamblers another wrinkle offensively.
Houston’s defense stepped up when it mattered most last week, tightening up in critical situations throughout the game. Ameer Speed led the way with 10 tackles, while Malik Fisher added his 6.5th sack of the season.
Fisher anchors a disruptive front that ranks second in the UFL in tackles for loss. Applying pressure on Luis Perez and keeping him uncomfortable will once again be the key in this rematch.
Lawrence Keys has quietly become one of the most dangerous all-purpose players in the UFL. Keys ranks second in the league in all-purpose yards and has totaled 547 return yards this season.
His impact stretches far beyond special teams. Keys hauled in a game-changing 35-yard touchdown reception last week and led Houston with 60 receiving yards, showcasing the versatility he brings to the offense.
Against the league’s best rushing defense, explosive plays will once again be critical for Houston. The Gamblers need chunk plays through the air to take pressure off the run game and avoid getting stuck behind the chains.
X-Factor:
Last week proved Houston can frustrate St. Louis and force the Battlehawks out of rhythm offensively. Now the question becomes whether the Gamblers can do it again, or if the Battlehawks respond like a championship-caliber team.
This rematch may ultimately come down to quarterback play. Can Luis Perez bounce back and protect the football? Or will Houston’s defense once again force mistakes and swing momentum in its favor?