The UFL’s DC Defenders defeated the Orlando Storm 28-22 during Saturday’s playoff opener, sending the District’s spring football team to the championship game as it looks to defend last year’s title.
The Defenders will have home-field advantage during next Saturday’s “United Bowl,” the new name for the UFL’s championship. The Louisville Kings will visit Washington’s Audi Field, known for its raucous crowds, with a title on the line.
The defending champion Defenders took an unconventional path to the title game. Coach Shannon Harris’ squad ended the campaign with a meandering 5-5 record after losing four straight games, including back-to-back matchups against the Storm in the final two weeks of the regular season.
But now, the Defenders will get one more home game. Harris was banking on it. He had already given his players the championship week practice schedule, even before they took the field for the win-or-go-home matchup against the Storm.
“I told them God had a bigger plan for us, that he was going to give us one more game at home,” Harris said. “It was going to be a bigger home game to send our fans out the right way.”
Saturday’s United Bowl will air live on ABC, with a halftime performance by rapper 50 Cent.
“I’m so excited for [the fans] to have this opportunity, to have the United Bowl there at home and give them one more game,” said backup quarterback Jason Bean, who has filled in for the injured Jordan Ta’amu. “It’s going to be fun.”
Contact the author
Please read our comment policy before commenting.