2023 XFL Championship

The 2023 XFL Championship was an American Football game to determine the champion of the 2023 XFL Season. It was be played between the St Louis Battlehawks and San Antonio Tigers. The game was played at The Dome at Americas Center. The game started at 3 PM ET.

## Background

The XFL's new ownership group Sxm Sports in July 2022 confirmed that St Louis would be the Headquarters for the league, where teams would practice and play scrimmages during Preseason, as well as hosting in week training and camps. They also confirmed that the 2023 XFL Championship would be played at The Dome at Americas Center, in St Louis.

During 2023 XFL Season Week 1, the Battlehawks hosted the Rage at The Dome at Americas Center, where Sxm Sports sent a message to the stadium, saying how proud they are to call St Louis their hub and said they were excited for this place to host the 2023 XFL Championship. During the season, over 38,000 Battlehawks fans attended a game, making a record attendance for a spring league.

## Teams

### St Louis Battlehawks

*Main Article: 2023 St Louis Battlehawks Season*

The St Louis Battlehawks started their season at home to the Orlando Rage, despite being 19-6 down with roughly 6 minutes to go, they came back and made it 19-14 with about a minute to play, with them having the ball. With 1 second left, they managed to run it in for a touchdown and won the game 22-19 to go 1-0. In Week 2, they hosted the San Antonio Tigers, which by far was one of the best, if not the best game of the 2023 XFL Season. The game finished 38-38 after regulation, and was the first game of the season to go to OT, they led 46-42 with the Tigers next play a do or die situation. They managed to sack their QB despite them attempting to throw back to their RB, it was ruled a sack, and won 46-42, to go 2-0. In Week 3, they would face another challenge, the DC Defenders, both teams 2-0 and whoever won would be 1st in the East for the time being. They were down 39-33 with roughly a minute to go, but failed to go and score after multiple DC stops and went 2-1 and were 3rd in the Division after the 2-1 Tampa Bay Vipers had abetter division record. In Week 4 they bounced back with a dominating and convincing display against the 2-1 Tampa Bay Vipers 36-17 and moved back into a playoff spot, going 3-1, and the Vipers going 2-2. In Week 5, they visited the Houston Oilers and won 24-15, making them 4-1 and had the same record as DC after their 30-24 loss to the Dragons, however DC still had top spot because of their 39-33 win vs Battlehawks. In Week 6, they broke a Spring League record as 38,000 fans attended their Week 6 victory against the Frisco Renegades, winning 20-9. Also during Week 6, they moved to 1st in the East due to DC loosing again, with them 5-1, and the Defenders 4-2. In Week 7, they visited the Dragons edging a 26-20 victory against the Dragons. They moved to 6-1 and remained on top, with DC at 5-2, however they would meet again in Week 8 in St Louis. If they won they would of clinched a playoff birth, however, they lost 28-20, despite late attempts to try and get points, DC's defence prooved too much for the Battlehawks and both teams were 6-2, with DC on top because of their H2H being 2-0 DC. Despite their Week 8 loss, both DC and St Louis clinched a playoff birth as the Vipers lost 19-14 to the Rage, making them 3-5 and making it impossible for the Vipers to catch either DC or St Louis. In Week 9, the Battlehawks faced the Orlando Rage away from home, this time it wasn't as entertaining as it was in Week 1, with the Battlehawks winning 36-13, moving to 7-2, but DC also won making them 7-2 and remaining top of the division. In Week 10, both teams could still clinch the division, for DC all they needed was a win, for Battlehawks they needed to win and DC to loose. In the first game of the Week 10, the Battlehawks won 54-26 vs the Vipers, breaking another Spring League record for most points scored in a game. However, DC won 36-10 vs the Orlando Rage, so DC won the division as also finished 8-2 but had a 2-0 H2H record with the Battlehawks. In the Division Championship, they visited the DC Defenders, to settle who would go to the Championship game. After Quarter 1, the Battlehawks were 10-7 up. In Quarter 2, it was tied 17-17. In Quarter 3, the Battlehawks took the lead with the score being 23-20. In Quarter 4, the score was 30-30, and the game would therefore go into Overtime. The Battlehawks won in OT with the score being 38-36, and therefore won the East Division Championship.

### San Antonio Tigers

*Main Article: 2023 San Antonio Tigers Season*

The San Antonio Tigers inaugural season began at home against the Seattle Dragons, with over 30,000 fans attending the Alamodome. After Quarter 1, it was 16-0 San Antonio after 2 TDs and 2 Two Point Conversions. It was 24-0 at half after another touchdown and 2 point conversion. After Quarter 3 it was 24-6 after Seattle scored their first touchdown of the game. The final score was 38-12 Tigers and went 1-0. In Week 2, they visited the St Louis Battlehawks, which by far was one of the best, if not the best game of the 2023 XFL Season. The game finished 38-38 after regulation, and was the first game of the season to go to OT, they led 46-42 with the Tigers next play a do or die situation. The Battlehawks managed to Dungey despitehim attempting to throw back to his RB, it was ruled a sack, and lost 46-42, and lost their first game, and were 1-1. In Week 3, they visited the Houston Oilers in the Lone Star Showdown, which resulted in a 16-15 win to bounce back and go 2-1. In Week 4, they returned to the Alamodome to host their other Texas rival Frisco Renegades in which they won 19-6, to go 3-1. All teams in the West were 1-3 except the Tigers, who were 3-1. In Week 5, they hosted the Orlando Rage, which they won 28-6, and went into the halfway point of the season 4-1, and on top of the West. In Week 6, they visited the DC Defenders, who were on top of the East, so it was a 1st vs 1st in the XFL. Despite DC being favored to win, the Tigers put up a convincing display to win 23-6 against the DC Defenders, to improve to 5-1. In Week 7, they returned to the Alamodome to host the Tampa Bay Vipers, in which they won 26-12 to edge closer to a playoff birth. In Week 8, they hosted the Houston Oilers, if they won they would not only clinch a playoff birth, but would clinch the division to host the 2023 XFL West Championship. The game ended 20-20 after regulation, and therefore Overtime had to happen. After Round 1, San Antonio scored but Houston failed. After Round 2, San Antonio scored but Houston failed. Making it 24-20. In Round 3, Houston failed to score as they went first, all the Tigers needed to do was to score and they would win, in which they did. They improved to 7-1 and clinched a playoff birth and clinched the division. In Week 9, they visited the Dragons but lost 15-6, making the playoff race more heated between the Dragons and the Renegades. Going into Week 10, they played in the Regular Season finale against the Frisco Renegades at Toyota Stadium in Frisco. The Dragons won their Week 10 game vs Oilers to go to 6-4, however, if the Renegades won they would be 6-4 and would clinch a playoff birth instead. With 6 seconds left, the Tigers were leading 22-21, but the Renegades had a last chance field goal to win the game, however, they missed the field goal, leading to the Tigers winning 22-21, and improving to 8-2, and also the Dragons clinched a playoff birth. They would host the Seattle Dragons in the 2023 XFL West Championship. After Quarter 1, the Tigers took a 16-3 lead over the Dragons. After Quarter 2, the Dragons scored the only touchdown and only points of the quarter, the Tigers were 16-9 up at the Half. After Quarter 3, the Tigers led 23-12. They won the game 34-18 and therefore, won the West Division Championship.

### Playoffs

(millions)
 April 29, 7:00pm ET
 April 30, 3:00pm ET

## Pregame

### Pre-Game Notes

* St Louis Battlehawks are the first ever team in XFL history and Spring League football history to play the Championship game in their home stadium.
* St Louis Battlehawks will also be the designated home team and will have home locker and have the ability to choose their jersey, which they confirmed would be White Jersey and Blue Pants on Tuesday 2nd May 2023.
* San Antonio Tigers will therefore have a Black Jersey and Orange Pants.
* St Louis Battlehawks will practice at SLUH Football Field in the week leading up to the Championship
* San Antonio Tigers will practice at Hermann Stadium in the week leading up to the Championship

### XFL Week 2 Matchup

Both teams met in Week 2 at The Dome at Americas Center. Both teams started their season 1-0 and both teams were looking to improve to 2-0. The game finished Battlehawks 46 Tigers 42 and was considered one of the best games of the XFL season. The game finished 38-38 after Regulation, and the Battlehawks scored all their OT shootout and denied Tigers twice to win the game.

After the XFL Regular Season, 68.6% of people voted for this game to be called Game of the Season in the XFL Regular Season. However, Battlehawks 38-36 OT victory against the DC Defenders in the Playoffs could challenge the game. After the game, both teams went on great streaks to go on to 8-2 and both made it to the Championship.

## Entertainment

### Pregame

Prior to the match, there was a firework display and on the field there was a St Louis Battlehawks and San Antonio Tigers images on both teams sides of their endzones, and an XFL Championship logo at the 50 yard line. There was also fireworks setting off at both sides, with Orange representing San Antonio Tigers and Blue representing St Louis Battlehawks, in the middle, there was black and white fireworks representing the XFL logo.

Following the pregame show, the National Anthem was sung with the American Flag covering the pitch, like in the Super Bowl. After that, team captains went to the 50 yard line to meet the refs and the coin toss. The Coin Toss was won by St Louis Battlehawks and they elected to defer.

### Halftime

On May 4, 2023, the XFL confirmed that BANNERS would perform at Halftime, the XFL didn't confirm how long it would be, but it estimated to be 10-12 minutes long.

## Scoring Summary

### First Half

The Battlehawks won the toss and elected to defer. The Battlehawks kicked off and the Tigers returned it to their own 30 yard line. They managed to get a 1st down on the first play, a gain of 12 yards from a passing play. on 3rd & 4 they got a 5 yard rushing play to get the First Down. Then on 4th & 1 the Tigers faked a punt and got a 2 yard rush, even though the Battlehawks claimed he failed to make it to the line of scrimmage. After a challenge it was decided that the Tigers got the first down and the Battlehawks got charged with a timeout. Then they managed to make it into St Louis territory, but failed to convert on a 3rd & 2 and scored a 44 yard field goal to score the first points of the game and go 3-0 up. Then it was the Battlehawks turn to have the ball for the first time in the game. However, they would of wanted a better drive as they were forced to punt after a first down conversion then a 3 and out. But they recovered the ball on a turnover when the Tigers fumbled the football. They went on to score a 21 yard passing Touchdown and scored a 2 point conversion to go 8-3 up. Then the Tigers got a first down after converting on 3rd & 12. Then went on to score a 64 yard passing Touchdown and scored the 2 point conversion to go 11-8 up with 1:12 left to go in the First Quarter. The First Quarter came to an end with the Tigers leading 11-8 against the Battlehawks. The Second Quarter began with a forced punt by the Tigers and the Tigers got the ball roughly 30 seconds into the Second Quarter. They managed to push down the field, converting on multiple 3rd down attempts. Eventually they made it into Battlehawks territory and kept pushing down the field into the Redzone. They faced a 2nd & Inches but lost 2 yards after a sack. on 3rd & 2 they got sacked again, a loss of 4 yards this time. They were forced to kick a field goal on a 4th & 6 from the 9 yard line. They scored another field goal, it was a 26 yard attempt. Making it 14-8 Tigers. Then the Battlehawks had a 3rd & 14, but made an incredible play to make it to the Tigers 30 yard line. Then they gained a couple of yards but faced a 3rd & 1. However, it was more than a first down, it was a Touchdown, a 21 yard passing touchdown and got the 2 Point Conversion, making it 16-14 Battlehawks. Then the Tigers were forced to punt on their next drive, then the Battlehawks also were forced to punt after, despite getting multiple first down's. Then the Tigers next drive saw them make a massive 36 yard play on 4th & 4 after a Fake Punt. They managed to kick a 42 yard Field Goal to make it 17-16 Tigers. The Battlehawks could not respond in time and at Halftime it was 17-16 Tigers.

### Second Half

The Battlehawks received the ball to start the second half, they immediately got a 24 yard reception to the 50 yard line. On a 3rd & 10, the ball was caught to the 31 yard line. There was another 3rd down, a 3rd & 10 again, and a 31 yard catch into the endzone gave them a 22-17 lead, the Battlehawks would go for two and successfully convert and make it 24-17.

### Box Score

**2023 XFL Championship Game**

*at The Dome at Americas Center, St Louis*

* **Attendance**: 62,600
* **Date**: Saturday, May 6, 2023
* **Game time**: 3:00 p.m. EDT
* **TV**: Sxm Sports

## References

1. ↑ 2023 XFL East Championship: Battlehawks 38 Defenders 36: OT thriller ends up in Battlehawks win
2. ↑ 2023 XFL West Championship: Dragons 18 Tigers 34: Tigers put on a show in the Alamodome as they advance to the 2023 XFL Championship
3. ↑ 2023 XFL Season: Sxm Sports confirms that 2023 Championship Game will be in St Louis
4. ↑ XFL Week 1: Rage @ Battlehawks: Sxm Sports set to welcome St Louis to football
5. ↑ St Louis Battlehawks have made history as 38,000+ fans attend a game, a new record in Spring League history
6. ↑ Battlehawks incredible comeback in thrilling game as they win 22-19 against the Orlando Rage
7. ↑ Renegades 9 Battlehawks 20: Battlehawks move to 5-1 as well as break Spring League record, over 38,000 fans attended the game
8. ↑ Battlehawks 26 Dragons 20: another thrilling game ends in Battlehawks victory
9. ↑ Defenders 28 Battlehawks 20: Defenders win entertaining game to go above Battlehawks in Divisional Standings
10. ↑ Vipers 14 Rage 19: Rage win to eliminate Vipers and DC and St Louis clinch playoff birth
11. ↑ Vipers 26 Battlehawks 54: Battlehawks break another record to finish season 8-2
12. ↑ Rage 10 Defenders 36: Defenders win to clinch East Division for Home advantage vs Battlehawks
13. ↑ Battlehawks vs. Defenders: XFL East Championship: Thriller OT games sends Battlehawks to Championship game
14. ↑ 2023 XFL Week 1 Attendance: San Antonio gets over 30,000 in first game
15. ↑ GREATEST GAME OF THE SEASON ALREADY?? Battlehawks 46 Tigers 42: OT thriller keeps Battlehawks undefeated
16. ↑ XFL Week 5 Standings: Tigers top West at 4-1
17. ↑ Oilers 20 Tigers 26: Tigers win in OT to clinch division
18. ↑ Tigers 22 Renegades 21: Dragons in playoffs after Renegades last second missed field goal
19. ↑ Renegades miss field goal and miss out on playoff opportunity
20. ↑ Tigers blow out Dragons to advance to XFL Championship
21. ↑ 2023 XFL Championship: St Louis Battlehawks confirm jersey combo for 2023 XFL Championship
22. ↑ 2023 XFL Championship: Tigers confirm Black Jersey and Orange Pants for 2023 XFL Championship
23. ↑ XFL confirm Battlehawks and Tigers practice areas in the week leading up to the 2023 XFL Championship
24. ↑ XFL Game of the Season: Tigers vs. Battlehawks in Week 2 is voted as GOTS
25. ↑ 2023 XFL Championship pregame show
26. ↑ 2023 XFL Championship: WE ARE SET FOR KICKOFF!!! LFGGG
27. ↑ 2023 XFL Championship: BANNERS set to add to the entertaining game with his performance at halftime
28. ↑ BANNERS: We are heading to St Louis on Saturday!