Saturday night’s primetime showdown between the St. Louis Battlehawks and Michigan Panthers is bound to be an exciting one in the UFL. Two of the league’s best will face off in a key week five matchup, one that matters just a bit more for the Battlehawks on their home turf.
Heading into this affair, the Battlehawks had lost two in a row, after their strong 2-0 start. They lost Manny Wilkins to injury last week, with Max Duggan stepping in the rest of the way. This Battlehawks team is searching for answers amidst a brutal stretch that has sent them out of the playoff race – for now.
On the Michigan Panthers side of things, they’ve won two in a row, and are looking to solidify themselves as postseason frontrunners in the USFL Conference.
Let’s take a look at what we can expect at The Dome in The Lou this week, as these two organizations are some of the best in the spring football business.
Quarterback Play
Bryce Perkins has been playing at an MVP level for the Michigan Panthers over the past couple of weeks. He’s won Offensive POTW honors in back to back weeks, showcasing just how efficient he can be when he’s handed the reins. Perkins’ athleticism, paired with his improved decision making, has made him an incredibly valuable weapon for Michigan.
Here’s the interesting piece, though: Danny Etling is returning to the lineup this week. Coach Nolan has been adamant on playing both quarterbacks, so don’t be surprised if Etling sees some snaps this week. If he does, though, it’ll be pretty unfortunate – because Perkins has proven that he is the guy for this offense. With how they’re running the football, Bryce should 100% be the starter for the rest of the season – he’s deadly in RPO situations.
On St. Louis’ side, their future is now in the hands of Max Duggan. Duggan joined the team this offseason after spending a couple of seasons with the Chargers. He’s struggled to maintain a roster spot at the pro…