In the hunt for the playoffs, how the teams around you play can matter just as much as your own games. Going into this week, the top three teams in the league had the chance to lock up their playoff spots with a win. Only the Orlando Storm won, allowing teams like the Birmingham Stallions to gain even more momentum for a playoff push. However, to keep that push moving, Birmingham had to beat the Columbus Aviators. In a gritty, defense-driven game they were able to win 14-3 and move to 4-4 on the season. 

The Alabama summer heat was in full force as the Columbus Aviators put up only three points and Birmingham put up zero in the first half. The heat waves coming up from the turf contributed to dropped balls, tipped passes, and mistakes being made on both sides. Coming out for the second half, it was Birmingham who was able to capitalize on those mistakes. 

The Stallions’ offense was uncharacteristically slow today, with only 184 yards of total offense. Despite that, Dorian Thompson-Robinson was able to connect with a wide open Jordan Thomas on a 29-yard touchdown pass. This put the Stallions on the board and up 7-3, a score that could have won the game on its own. 

It was the Stallions defense which dominated the day. Steven Gilmore had an interception early against the Aviators, and then deep in the fourth quarter he blocked a field goal attempt. But not only did he block it, he was able to scoop up the ball and run halfway across the field to punch it in and send the Stallions up 14-3. 

Before the Aviators could even hope to attempt a comeback, the Stallions defense continued to swallow up the Aviators with a deflected pass and eventually a Tae Crowder game-ending interception. 

“I understand people get mad at the defense…the growth is in…gelling with each other, understanding what the coaches want, and then eye discipline and being in the right position…I feel like they’ve played great all year.” Coach AJ McCarron explained his perspective on the earlier woes and current success of the defense. 

“I mean, offensively, we gotta help them out. [W]e gotta be able to move the ball more…and find a way to get points on the board. But listen, again, this is a gritty win. You’re gonna have games like this where you just gotta find a way to get it done…I’m just proud of the guys because guess what? There is zero quit in this team, and [we] have been finding a way to get it done, and that’s all you need.”

Birmingham didn’t play their best offensive game, but against a weaker Columbus team and with a stellar defensive showing, it was enough to pull out the win. All eyes now point towards next week when the Stallions face the Aviators in Columbus. With Louisville hot on Birmingham’s tail and the Battlehawks and Defenders both getting losses, that game becomes all the more important to win. The Stallions finish the back-to-back against Columbus on May 23rd at 2:00pm.