WASHINGTON, D.C. — The DC Defenders (6-2, 4-1 XFL) secured a spot in the XFL Conference Championship with a 33-30 victory over the Arlington Renegades (3-5, 2-3 XFL) on Sunday. A late interception by DB Deandre Baker sealed the win, halting Arlington’s potential game-winning drive with two minutes remaining. RB Deon Jackson and QB Jordan Ta’amu led the Defenders’ offense, combining for 356 yards and four touchdowns.
With Arlington trailing 33-30, QB Luis Perez’s second-and-12 pass was intercepted by Baker, ending the Renegades’ comeback hopes. Jackson shone with 116 total yards (89 rushing, 27 receiving) and a touchdown, while Ta’amu threw for 240 yards and accounted for three scores (two passing, one receiving). The Defenders’ defense, anchored by DB Josh Proctor’s nine tackles, held firm in critical moments.
The game opened with Arlington’s K Lucas Havrisik kicking a 30-yard field goal, giving the Renegades a 3-0 lead at 9:33 in the first quarter. DC responded swiftly with a two-play drive, capped by Jackson’s career-long 57-yard rushing touchdown and a three-point conversion, putting the Defenders ahead 9-3. DC extended their lead to 15-3 with a six-yard rushing score from RB Abram Smith, set up by a 31-yard reception from WR Chris Rowland.
Arlington countered with an eight-play, 83-yard drive, ending in a 23-yard touchdown catch by WR Tyler Vaughns, who added a two-point conversion to make it 15-11. DC’s offense struck again with a trick play: Ta’amu handed off to Rowland, who threw a nine-yard touchdown pass back to Ta’amu, giving the Defenders a 21-11 lead. Arlington’s Vaughns answered with a one-handed, five-yard touchdown grab, narrowing the gap to 21-17 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Ta’amu led an eight-play, 75-yard drive, connecting with WR Braylon Sanders for a 36-yard gain and finding WR Cornell Powell for a four-yard touchdown, pushing DC’s lead to 27-17. Arlington’s Havrisik responded with a 54-yard field goal, making it 27-20. Early in the fourth, Ta’amu’s 26-yard pass to WR Jaydon Mickens set up Powell’s second touchdown, a three-yard score, giving DC a 33-23 edge with 10:24 left.
Arlington fought back with a 10-play, 65-yard drive, finished by backup QB Holton Ahlers’ one-yard rushing touchdown. A one-point conversion to TE Sal Cannella brought the score to 33-30 with four minutes remaining. Baker’s interception ensured DC’s victory.
“This marks Ta’amu’s fourth-straight game with two or more passing touchdowns,” noted postgame analysis. Powell, with four catches for 59 yards and two touchdowns, marked his first multi-touchdown game this season. Proctor led the defense with a career-high nine tackles, while LB Anthony Hines added eight, continuing his streak of strong performances.
The Defenders face the Houston Roughnecks (3-5, 2-3 USFL) on May 25 at 4:00 p.m., broadcast on FOX, in their first matchup this season. The win solidifies DC’s position as a top XFL contender, building on their consistent offensive and defensive play throughout the season.
