ST. LOUIS — The Memphis Showboats (1-3) fell 32-17 to the St. Louis Battlehawks (3-1) Saturday afternoon at The Dome at America’s Center. It marks the Showboats third straight loss of the season.
Memphis grabbed the first touchdown of the day thanks to a Case Cookus 17-yard pass to Vinny Papale to give the Showboats a 6-3 lead.
That's when the Battlehawks went to battle, scoring two quick touchdowns in the first quarter to take a 17-6 lead. The first saw A.J. McCarron hit Jacob Saylers for an 11-yard TD after a long kickoff return got them in position. The second came off the back of a Case Cookus interception, Wayne Gallman burrowed his way into the end zone from two yards out.
In the second quarter Memphis' Darius Victor showed that he can also go in from two yards out. That pulled the Showboats back within three, 17-14 and not long later would tie it up at 17.
Memphis trailed 20-17 at the half but couldn't tick the scoreboard over anymore, while the Battlehawks scored 12 unanswered via the arm of McCarron.
Cookus was 8-of-12 for 55 yards, one touchdown and one interception before leaving the game with an injury in the third quarter and not returning.
Victor led the Memphis offense with 58 rushing yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. Meanwhile Papale’s touchdown catch gave him a score in three of four games so far this season.
Lamont McPhatter paced the Showboats’ defense with 11 total tackles, nine of the solo variety, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Memphis is now 1-3 on the season and has lost three in a row. They return to action on Sunday, April 28 at 2 p.m. CT against the Michigan Panthers for their second home game of the season.