x
Breaking News
More () »

Alone atop of the XFL East, BattleHawks proving they're 1 of the best stories the league has to offer

After four weeks, the BattleHawks are on top of their division, selling out home games, endearing themselves to St. Louis and looking like the class of the XFL

ST. LOUIS — If the St. Louis BattleHawks were a stock, you would definitely be buying as much as you could right now. Not only is St. Louis' XFL team impressing on the field, they're rallying all of St. Louis together with them.

After four weeks the BattleHawks are on top of their division, selling out The Dome, endearing themselves to St. Louis and looking like the class of the XFL.

Now, before a bunch of angry Houston Roughnecks fans find this article and remind me that they're still undefeated — including a win over St. Louis — I want them to know I'm aware of it. Houston has proven to be the best team in the league on the field. They're undefeated and Phillip Walker and Cam Phillips are the must-see TV.

But there's something truly special happening in St. Louis. It remains to be seen just how long the XFL will be relevant, but right now, the BattleHawks are showing the rest of the league how to do things right.

Watch: BattleHawks head coach Johnathan Hayes talks about his team's hot start to the season

On the field, the BattleHawks are alone at the top of the XFL East at 3-1, with that only loss coming by just four points in Week 2 against Houston.

St. Louis quarterback Jordan Ta'amu looks like one of the front-runners for league MVP, sitting second in the XFL in passing and fifth in rushing. The defense has been suffocating, allowing just 15.5 points per game. And the special teams unit led by kicker Taylor Russolino and punter Marquette King has become an easy fan favorite.

RELATED: BattleHawks set XFL records in home opener win

If the BattleHawks can beat D.C. on Sunday, they'll be 4-1 through the first half of their schedule and could have a two-game lead in the division. In a ten-game season, that should nearly guarantee them a spot on the four-team playoffs.

Watch: BattleHawks receiver L'Damian Washington's son crashes his post game press conference

And if you ask the players, the 3-1 start is just the beginning.

"I feel great about where we're at. I know what type of team we are," safety Will Hill said."I love our coaches. I know everybody is going to fight. That's all you can ask for in a team."

"We haven't even reached where we can go yet. Most of this is new," receiver L'Damian Washington said. "Developing chemistry and seeing how certain people react to certain games. So we're learning on the fly, but it's good when you're learning and winning."

But the BattleHawks aren't just getting it done on the field. They're getting it done all over St. Louis.

More than 57,000 were sold to watch the BattleHawks take flight at The Dome for the first two home games of the season. Their first two games rank as the No. 1 and No. 3 biggest crowds of any XFL game this season.

The BattleHawks have sold more apparel than any other team in the league, and have churned out TV ratings that dwarf other markets.

Watch: BattleHawks quarterback Jordan Ta'amu talks after impressive showing against Seattle

But the BattleHawks are also building a relationship with their new town. The players have been very engaging with fans, and are making an effort to get out into the community and volunteer. Creating a relationship with St. Louis was something head coach Johnathan Hayes was always going to emphasize from the day he took over.

"Our guys are out every Tuesday. Every day off in the community," Hayes said. "When I first got here and you guys were in the press conference with me I told you we were going to be a part of this community. We were going to be a part of St. Louis."

It seems like both city and team are rolling with the same mentality. Nobody knows just how long this is going to last, but let's enjoy it while it's here. It's a mentality that has very clearly paid off nearly halfway through the season.

More BattleHawks Coverage

RELATED: 'This is my hero' | BattleHawks receiver L'Damian Washington's son steals the show during post game interview

RELATED: Ta'amu, clutch defense lead BattleHawks over Seattle

RELATED: Seattle receiver Austin Proehl honors 'Greatest Show on Turf' dad in return to The Dome

RELATED: 'I'm a dog' | BattleHawks safety Kenny Robinson is the most interesting man in the XFL

RELATED: How St. Louis scored its XFL team

RELATED: Ka-Kaw to cha-ching: How BattleHawks buzz is giving this Belleville printing company a bump

RELATED: 'It's unbelievable' | XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck impressed with St. Louis BattleHawks fan base after home opener

RELATED: 'The city really showed up' | St. Louis showed the country Sunday just how great of a 'football town' it can be

Before You Leave, Check This Out