MEMPHIS, TENN — The Memphis Showboats couldn’t overcome an early deficit and fell 19-9 to the St. Louis Battlehawks on Sunday afternoon at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
A 44-yard field goal from Rodrigo Blankenship midway through the fourth quarter sealed the win for St. Louis (5-2). Memphis (1-6) had a chance to respond late but couldn’t convert a critical fourth-quarter drive into points, allowing the Battlehawks to run out the clock and secure the victory.
St. Louis set the tone on the opening drive as quarterback Max Duggan powered into the end zone with a 7-yard rushing touchdown. A successful 1-point conversion run by Jarveon Howard made it 7-0. After forcing a Memphis punt, the Battlehawks added a 53-yard field goal — the longest of the game — by Blankenship to close the first quarter up 10-0…