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Houston Roughnecks start XFL Perfect 4-0

Written by River Tompkins on . Posted in XFL.

The Texas XFL showdown took place in Globe Life Park as the Houston Roughnecks took on the Dallas Renegades in a game where two teams lock horns to become best in Texas. In a game full of relentless taunting by both sides, two top XFL offenses battled it out with the Roughnecks claiming victory over the Renegades 27-20.

A game with the highest predicted point total of the season was off to an unexpected start as defense rained superior through the opening minutes.

The Roughnecks were immediately put in a bad position after going three and out. The Renegades looked strong moving down the field until quarterback Landry Jones released the ball past the line of scrimmage. Jones’ throw was picked off by stud safety Cody Brown who brought it back to half field.



Capitalizing on the short field P.J. Walker led his team to score three points. History would soon repeat itself after piecing together a four-play drive, Landry Jones’ pass was tipped into the hands of Roughnecks safety Deatrick Nichols. The Roughnecks split the uprights once again boosting the score to 6-0.

Landry Jones was seeing ghosts at this point. The Roughnecks constantly shut his passing game down forcing him to throw yet another interception right after the other. This one picked off by Charles James II who perfectly read and jumped the curl route. Walker steadily moved the chains with gains of nine to both Cam Phillips and Nick Holley as well as a 14-yard pass to Kahlil Lewis. Coming out in five wide Walker split the cover 3 zone finding Nick Holley for 8-yards and the first TD of the game.



“P.J. walker has done a great job, I am not surprised by his play making ability, I witnessed it when he was an 18-year old freshman at Temple. He got my attention so much I introduced myself after the game. He’s a playmaker like you said and he is trying to stay inside the offense to make those plays too. The last two throws to get first downs to end the game, thats what the great ones do”, stated Roughnecks head coach June Jones.

The Roughnecks kicking woes were apparent as the kickoff soared out of bounds placing the Renegades at Houston’s 45-yard line. Landry Jones quickly turned things around completing the next six passes. Aided by Lance Dunbar who picked up a  fourth and one on a jet sweep and took it 20-yards setting up end zone threat Donald Pharam for an 8-yard TD.

The score was 15-11 going into halftime. Through the first half both defenses had obviously shown up but what impacted the game more was field position. Houston had scored all 15 of their points off of a turnover and Dallas had their make-right drive after the penalty on the kickoff. Whichever team could manipulate the field position the best would win this game.

In the second drive of the new half, the Roughnecks threw being methodical out of the window. After an electric run by P.J. Walker, he hit the red hot Nick Holley over the top putting them in plus territory. Cam Phillips who could be seen limping at times was replaced by 6th string receiver Blake Jackson. Jackson made use of his minutes running a deep corner route, Walker stepped up in the pocket to find him for a 24-yard TD.

Dallas immediately responded with Landry Jones looking like a surgeon with a degree in defense exploitation and coverage dissection. Driving downfield the Renegades dialed up the same play from fourth and one handing the jet sweep off to Lance Dunbar who strutted into the endzone for a 1-yard touchdown.   

After a successful 3-point conversion the score was 21-20. With Dallas preparing to make another big drive the Roughnecks defense stepped up. Collapsing the pocket linebacker Edmond Robinson not only sacked Landry Jones, he stripped the ball then recovered it and brought it back into the endzone bolstering the Roughnecks lead.   

On fourth and one with the game on the line, Dallas needed some points – it was do or die. Renegade quarterback Landry Jones dove forward reaching the sticks but with a consequence. Jones who had missed the opening game of the season had reinjured his same knee and would not return.

Phillip Nelson came into the game and continued the trend Landry Jones had set. Nelson moved down to the Roughnecks 3-yard line trying to hit Flynn Nagel on a bubble screen, however the pass was bobbled. Linebacker DeMarquis Gates dove extending one hand and bringing the ball in for his second game-sealing interception.



The Renegades will face off against the New York Guardians in Arlington next Saturday, unfortunately without their starting quarterback Landry Jones who stated he suffered an MCL injury during the fourth quarter. Renegades head coach Bob Stoops had this to say about improvements that need to be made, “Being able to secure the ball. To catch the football, there are way too many drops or bobbles that lead to interceptions. Execution in our screen game and our run game on offense. Defensively too, we are never satisfied. I thought a couple of the touchdowns, if we had played a little better in some scenarios we could have forced another field goal as opposed to giving up a touchdown. So, I think a bright spot is our special teams have been awesome. You know Austin and Drew (kicker and punter) have been playing really well.”

The Roughnecks remain the only undefeated team in the XFL league and have control over the West division with at least two more wins than any other team in the west. The XFL has shown amazing growth with 1,500 more fans attending this game than the last. The Roughnecks will look to capitalize on a struggling D.C. Defenders team next week when they play in Houston on Saturday.

XFL Roughnecks Survive BattleHawks 28-24

Written by River Tompkins on . Posted in XFL.

After a full-throttle week one of the XFL, fans were clamoring for more football. This week the 5-point home favorites, Houston Roughnecks who boasted the leagues number one offense took on the Saint Louis BattleHawks who had already upset the Dallas Renegades the week before. With an Over/Under of 47.5, this game was sure to thrill.

This matchup was one of conflicting styles, on one side you have the high powered Roughneck offense in which June Jones’ montra is: the pass sets up the run. On the other, you have the ground and pound, run heavy BattleHawks that look for the run to set up the pass. The more explosive offense prevailed as the Roughnecks remained on top of the West Division beating the BattleHawks 28-24.

The Roughnecks received the ball (XFL rules allow the home team to choose whether they start with the ball as well as which side of the field to start on). The Roughnecks utilized their Taysom Hill-esk player immediately, Nick Holley who was officially listed as a running back also plays slot receiver and tight end. After Holley picked up 11-yards on a run, P.J. Walker hit Cam Phillips for the second time on the drive. Last week we saw Walker and Phillips establish a shining connection after they connected for 67-yards and a touchdown in the opening game against the L.A. Wildcats. The drive stalled after multiple incompletions, however the Roughnecks still salvaged three points after a Sergio Castillo field goal from 45-yards out.

The BattleHawks who had a slow and more defensive game against the Dallas Renegades (final score 15-9) came out firing. After five consecutive runs, the BattleHawks effectively set up the play-action, springing the linebackers in order for quarterback Jordan Ta’Amu to find Keith Mumphery for 27-yards. Running back Matt Jones followed with an electric play out of the backfield catching a screen pass and taking it 25-yards to the house.

Nick Holley’s name was called once again after a remarkable diving one-handed catch moving the chains. P.J. Walker, explosive as always, picked apart the defense with a pump fake or two finding Khalil Lewis wide open for a 33-yard pickup. Walker finished off the drive throwing a sidearm laser through hoards of defenders to Cam Phillips for an 8-yard TD.

After four consecutive punts, somebody needed to make a play for either team. Jordan Ta’Amu looked to his deep corner route, once he threw it he knew it was too late, Roughnecks defensive back Cody Brown jumped the route and finished in form bringing it back 50-yards to the 1-yard line. James Butler easily reached the pylon bolstering the Roughnecks lead to 15-6.

After a fourth down stop by the Roughnecks’ defense, the offense seized momentum by the throat and crippled the BattleHawks defense. Walker found Nick Holley for 20-yards, Phillips for 8 and added 12 on the ground. The connection now shining brighter than ever as P.J. Walker rolled out to his right, finding Cam Phillips in the back of the endzone for yet another touchdown.

Heading into halftime both teams had played respectably and the stats reflected that. For the Hawks, there was a simple fix to their offensive woes: Jordan Ta’Amu. He is a great running quarterback. Saint Louis won last week due to his legs, this week should’ve been no different.

Coming out of halftime the BattleHawks needed a score and though they did not follow my advice, another playmaker entered the picture. De’Mornay Pierson-El is a dangerous kick returner and now slot receiver. After taking a quick slant 23-yards he finished the drive off with a 1-yard TD reception.

The tides had turned as the BattleHawks now had old Moe by the throat once again stringing together a plentiful drive. With only one play over 10-yards, they just focused on moving the chains. Ta’Amu put his talent to work capping the 13-play drive off with a 4-yard QB keeper TD.

Even with the scores recently put up by the BattleHawks the game looked almost out of sight after Ta’Amu threw his second interception, this one picked off by Jeremiah Johnson who returned it to the six-yard line. At this point you have to know what’s coming, P.J. Walker found non-other than Cam Phillips in the back of the endzone for both of their third touchdowns and the game sealer.

“I played against him [Walker] in college and then followed him when he went to the pros. He was a dynamic player in college. I knew he could make all the throws and is a competitive leader”, said Roughnecks head coach June Jones.

Throughout the game, you would hear the familiar “MVP, MVP, MVP.” chant from the Houston crowd whenever or wherever P.J. Walker made a play. Right now the Houston Roughnecks are looking good, tied with the DC Defenders for top record. The Roughnecks will play the Tampa Bay Vipers and with how it is going right now you can expect a large turnout.

Houston Roughnecks Kickstart XFL with Win

Written by River Tompkins on . Posted in Football.

A new decade, a new league, a new season and two new franchises were set to kick-off as the start of the XFL was underway. The Houston Roughnecks took on the Los Angeles Wildcats in a historic opening game. The Houston Roughnecks defending their home turf smashed the Los Angeles Wildcats in a 37-17 ball game.

The game started with the new and improved kickoff system where a player cannot move until the returner has caught the ball. The Houston Roughnecks received and after a great return, they were set up at the 39-yard line. It did not take long for dual-threat quarterback P.J. Walker to throw a bomb to his speedy wideout Cam Phillips who not only caught it but took it to the house for a 50-yard touchdown.

“Just one-on-one you know me and P.J., man we have been working it all camp. I just gave him a little stutter [defender] since he was in off coverage. I knew P.J. would give me a chance and I just made a play. It’s great man, the energy out here is electric, this town, this city. Houston supported us and just feels good playing football”, stated Roughneck receiver Cam Phillips.

XFL rules state after a touchdown, the scoring team is not able to kick an extra point, instead they must go for a one, two or three-point conversion. The Roughnecks did not convert giving the Wildcats a chance for the lead. The Wildcats took a more methodical approach with consistent gains of 6,7 and 8-yards moving the chains. On a key 3rd & 12 Wildcat quarterback Charles Kanoff stepped up in the pocket throwing a pass that was tipped straight into the hands of receiver Nelson Spruce for a 20-yard pickup. Kanoff would finish the drive off with a 5-yard QB keeper touchdown.

After several failed plays and a questionable missed PI call Houston was forced to punt, luckily for them the punt was muffed and they recovered in great field position starting at the 38. Houston picked up the first down but was soon forced to take a field goal that shanked left. Both teams would punt on the drives to come.

Later Kanoff attempted a pass, however defensive tackle Kaelin Burnett would not have any of it as he got his arms around Kanoff forcing his throw early which would conveniently land in the lap of defensive lineman Burnett for an interception. The Roughnecks once again stalled out.

Both the Wildcats and Roughnecks amassed drives with the Wildcats scoring on a 10-yard TD pass from Kanoff to wide receiver Jordan Smallwood. The Roughnecks did not make it look pretty but they got the job done as running back Ajene Harris scored on a 16-yard catch off a broken screen. The Roughnecks lead by offensive-minded head coach June Jones, formerly on the Falcons, had a conflicting play style to that of Wildcat head coach Winston Moss a defensive coach, formerly with the Packers.


When the half seemed all but over Roughneck kick returner James Butler made a splash fumbling the ball then picking it up and returning it to the Wildcats 39-yard line. P.J. Walker capitalized on the short field position and found wide receiver Sam Mobley for a 39-yard go-ahead touchdown giving the Roughnecks an 18-17 lead.

At halftime fans were loving what they were seeing, for the first time there was a real alternative football league, the XFL did not look like a joke, in fact, it was far from one, with loads of talent both on and off the field.

In the third quarter nothing got easier for the Wildcats especially on the offensive side of the ball. For the Roughnecks it was all clicking and you had to attribute a lot of that success to quarterback P.J. Walker. Walker had a high completion percentage throwing on the run. He threw for 272 yards and tossed four touchdowns throughout the evening.

The Roughnecks, after forcing the Wildcats to punt, drove downfield with wide receiver Kahlil Lewis finishing the drive on a wide-open 4-yard score. Houston then split the uprights after previously missing, giving them a 12 point lead over the Wildcats.

With the Wildcats offense seemingly nonexistent, a quarterback change took place when Jalan McClendon took the field for Los Angeles. Different quarterback, same result, as he fumbled a handoff, (McClendon would recover) he then threw an interception as free safety Deatrick Nichols was prepared for the tip drill and took away the possession.

With a comeback out of sight, it only got worse for the Wildcats as defensive back LaTroy Lewis hit the quarterback triggering a strip-sack where Roughneck linebacker DeMarquise Gates recovered. James Butler plowed forward into the endzone for a 4-yard touchdown, increasing the score and eliminating the Wildcats hope.


Ultimately it was a thrilling – action-packed game and both teams now know their strengths and weaknesses. As a Roughnecks fan, it will be exciting to see how P.J. Walker develops as well as the coaching scheme. The Roughnecks will take on the Tampa Bay Vipers at TDECU Stadium Sunday night.