SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Brahmas saw their playoff window all but close with a 17-15 loss to the Houston Roughnecks (5-3) in front of 12,243 fans at the Alamodome on Easter Sunday.
The loss is the second consecutive for the Brahmas, who are now facing elimination with two games remaining and trailing the Arlington Renegades for second place in South Division.
“It’s disappointing,” San Antonio Brahmas Head Coach Hines Ward said. “We still haven’t won a game in San Antonio.. it’s disappointing to not get a win at home.”
Jack Coan got the start at quarterback for San Antonio, who started their fifth quarterback in many weeks due to injuries. Houston started the game with the ball and drove downfield for a score when Brandon Silvers connected with David Burnett for a score to go up 6-0.
Coan would lead the San Antonio offense downfield on the next drive but his pass to Jacques Patrick would end with the Brahmas settling for a field goal to make it a 6-3 game. Both teams would add field goals to their scores, making it a 9-6 for Houston going into the second half.
The Roughnecks opened the second half with a touchdown following a defensive interception but their attempt to make it a 10-point game would fail, making it 15-9 in favor of Houston. From there, the defenses would hold going into the final moments of the fourth quarter.
With less than two minutes to go, Brandon Silvers’ pass was intercepted by Kameron Kelly, setting up a touchdown from Jacques Patrick to cut the deficit to 15-12. After converting a 4th and 15 play, San Antonio tied the game with a Parker Romo field goal to force overtime.
In overtime, Houston would score the only points as their defense stopped the Brahmas on three consecutive tries. As a result, the Roughnecks left the Alamo City with a win and became the first XFL team to clinch a playoff berth.
“Playoff chances are slim to none,” Ward said. “I’m not going to quit and I don’t expect these guys to quit.”
UP NEXT:
The Brahams are now 2-6 on the season and will return to the field next Saturday when they face the Orlando Guardians (1-7) at the Alamodome at 6 p.m.
