By John Goolsby, Prep Sports Editor
MEMPHIS – The Stallions defeated the Memphis Showboats 39-21 Saturday. The Stallions moved to 6-0 on the season and clinched a playoff berth.
The Stallions established a modern USFL/XFL record as the fastest team in history to clinch a playoff berth.
Quarterback Adrian Martinez got his second consecutive start and became the first quarterback in the league to throw four touchdown passes in a game this season.
Martinez was 26 of 38 passing for 368 yards.
Birmingham rolled up 467 yards of total offense.
The Stallions rushed for 99 yards. CJ Marable led Birmingham with 31 yards on five carries. Ricky Person Jr. added 29 yards on 11 carries and scored one touchdown.
Kevin Austin Jr. came up big for the Stallions with four receptions for 108 yards and one touchdown. Marlon Williams hauled in two scores on four receptions for 58 yards. Deon Cain added two catches for 45 yards.
The Birmingham defense continued to enforce its will on opposing offenses. The Stallions held the Showboats to 239 yards, recorded three sacks and one interception.
Kyahva Tezino led the Stallions with seven total tackles. Nevelle Clark and Elijah Sullivan recorded six tackles apiece.
After Memphis took a 6-0 lead, Person scored on a 5-yard touchdown. A successful two-point conversion gave the Stallions an 8-6 lead with 12:00 remaining in the second quarter.
On the Stallions’ next possession, Martinez hit Marable for a four-yard touchdown. The Stallions led 16-6 after the successful two-point PAT with 3:58 remaining in the half.
The Showboats cut the lead to 16-9 on a 47-yard field goal with 1:50 remaining.
The Stallions went to their two-minute offense but turned the ball over on downs.
Memphis fumbled the ball on their next possession, and Jordan Thompson recovered at the Memphis 38.
With 48 seconds remaining in the half, Martinez made Memphis pay.
The former Nebraska and Kansas State quarterback hit Williams with a 28-yard touchdown to give the Stallions a 22-9 lead with 23 seconds remaining.
Raviz Ahmed drilled a 45-yard field goal on Birmingham’s second possession to give the Stallions a 25-9 lead at the 6:22 mark in the third period.
Birmingham flexed their big-play ability on their next possession with an 80-yard Martinez-to-Austin strike. The Stallions led 31-9 with 2:56 in the third quarter.
Memphis cut the lead to 31-12 on a 45-yard field goal with 13:11 remaining in the game.
A rare Ahmed miss handed the ball back to the Showboats with 9:14 on the clock.
On the next play, Kenny Robinson, Jr. came up with an interception for Birmingham.
Martinez threw his fourth touchdown to Williams. The 12-yard strike and two-point PAT pushed the Stallions’ lead to 39-12.
The Showboats added a late score to cut the deficit to 39-21.
“We’re incredibly proud of this accomplishment, but we know the job isn’t finished yet,” said head coach Skip Holtz. “Our focus remains on the regular season, taking each week one game at a time.”
“The playoffs are an exciting goal, but our priority is to finish the season strong and give our best in every game,” he said.
The Stallions return home to face former Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron and his St. Louis Battlehawks at Protective Stadium on May 11 at 3 PM.