Battlehawks score late to hold off Defenders

Wayne Gallman II scored the go-ahead touchdown from 1 yard out with two minutes to play and the host St. Louis Battlehawks fended off the DC Defenders 26-21 on Sunday.

Gallman rushed for 35 yards and two scores while quarterback Manny Wilkins led St. Louis (6-2) with 79 rushing yards to go with 126 through the air.

The Defenders (3-5) took a 21-20 lead when Jordan Ta'amu hooked up with Ty Scott for a 17-yard touchdown pass with 4:55 to play, capping a 12-play, 73-yard march. But after Darrius Shepherd's kick return to nearly midfield, the Battlehawks needed to go just 44 yards in five plays for the game-winning TD.

Ta'amu completed 23 of 40 passes for 196 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for DC. Scott caught six passes for 69 yards, while Alex Ellis had four for 58 yards and the other touchdown.