Luis Perez Shines, Battlehawks Ground Aviators 31–20 to Stay Hot in Week 7

ST. LOUIS — The Dome was rocking, the Battlehawks were flying, and Luis Perez looked like he’d been running this offense all year. Making his first start for St. Louis, Perez powered the Battlehawks to a commanding 31–20 win over the Columbus Aviators to open Week 7 of the UFL season.

A New QB, Same Ruthless St. Louis Start

If you didn’t know Perez was new to this Battlehawks roster, you wouldn’t have guessed it from the first drive. After a muffed opening kickoff pinned Columbus deep, the Aviators’ offense sputtered, and Perez immediately went to work. A busted fumble recovery turned into a big gain, and on fourth and goal from inches out, Perez kept it himself for his first UFL touchdown of the season.

When Columbus punted again, St. Louis pounced. Perez underthrew a deep bomb, but Hakeem Butler still hauled it in to set up another scoring opportunity. Two plays later, Perez dropped a dime to Steven McBride in the end zone textbook rhythm and poise. Just like that, the home team led 14–0, and the fans inside The Dome could feel the energy building.

Columbus Fights Back (Briefly)

Down two touchdowns, Columbus finally got some offensive momentum, thanks to one of the most chaotic plays of the night. With starting quarterback Jalan McClendon struggling to move the ball, coach Todd Haley turned to gadget QB Jalen Morton. On 3rd and 7, Morton made something out of nothing — slipping four tackles and bulldozing his way into the end zone for a statement score.

It looked like the spark Columbus needed.

But Perez didn’t blink. He answered immediately with completions to Butler and Jahcour Pearson, setting up a 38-yard field goal by Ramiz Ahmed to make it 17–7.

And then the defense took over. A massive tackle for loss from Steve Linton buried the Aviators’ next drive, and it wasn’t long before St. Louis struck again.

This time, it was A.J. Smith’s offensive play-calling on full display. Perez orchestrated a smooth drive capped off by Kylin James, who ran into the end zone completely untouched — his first of two scores on the night.

When Columbus tried to answer before halftime, Jordan Mosley slammed that door shut with an interception across midfield. By halftime, the Battlehawks were up 24–7 and looked every bit like a championship-caliber team.

Third Quarter: Chaos, Momentum, and the Knockout Blow

The Aviators opened the second half clinging to hope — and got the break they needed. Columbus safety D.J. Miller Jr. jumped a route and picked off Perez deep in Battlehawks territory, giving the visitors life. Two plays later, Tay Martin made the most of it, hauling in a touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 24–14.

For about five minutes, the battle seemed back on.

But St. Louis’s ground game crushed those hopes quickly. The duo of Jarveon Howard and Kylin James chewed through Columbus’s front seven like it was absolutely nothing. Perez’s passing softened the box, and Smith’s play calling leaned into the run game masterfully.

When James trotted into the end zone for his second score of the night again, untouched the lead swelled to 31–14.

Moments later, the Aviators went for it on 4th-and-2 near midfield, and White was blown up behind the line. The Dome roared as St. Louis took over again, and the sense started to set in: this game was over.

Fourth Quarter: Too Little, Too Late

Credit where it’s due, Columbus didn’t fold. The Aviators pieced together one last drive in the fourth, highlighted by McClendon converting a clutch 4th-and-7 with a touchdown strike to Keke Chism. It was good football. Gritty, creative, opportunistic. The problem was timing.

Instead of going for two, they kicked the extra point, and missed. At 31–20, it stayed a two-possession game.

From there, it was all about the Battlehawks bleeding clock. St. Louis marched methodically down the field, forcing Columbus into two costly defensive penalties that ate up precious time. The Aviators got one last shot with just under three minutes left, but McClendon’s 4th-down attempt fell incomplete, sealing the deal.

Defense Does the Dirty Work

For all the flash from the offense, the Battlehawks’ defense deserves its flowers. They made the Aviators one dimensional, forcing Columbus’s quarterbacks into low percentage situations all evening. Mosley’s interception and Linton’s backfield penetration were only the headliners this was team wide execution.

Even when Columbus clawed back to 24–14, St. Louis’s defense never looked rattled. The run-stopping and red-zone discipline were the difference makers.

Final Word: Dome Sweet Dome

The Battlehawks have turned The Dome into a fortress again. Behind an energized fan base and now a veteran signal-caller, St. Louis looks every bit like a playoff lock — and maybe something more.

Perez’s composure meshed perfectly with A.J. Smith’s aggressive playbook, the ground game looked unstoppable, and the defense bullied when it mattered most.

Final score: St. Louis Battlehawks 31, Columbus Aviators 20.

A new quarterback, same high-flying result. The Battlehawks are soaring toward something special — and the rest of the league better look up fast.